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Reposted by Alex Engler

Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 17h

New from me at Cato: I go through the numerous and massive First Amendment and academic-freedom violations of Trump's proffered "compact" with universities and then talk about the mechanism by which it would be enforced, by way of what I describe as a "retroactive push-button guillotine."

Universities Must Defend Their Independence by Rejecting Trump's "Compact"

The Trump administration has proffered a “compact” to universities that would require them to surrender their independence and academic freedom. How many First Amendment violations can we identify in ...

www.cato.org

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 7h

So impressed and enamored with you and your team’s fearless and dedicated work. A great write up and well deserved.

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Reposted by Alex Engler

Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 8h

This is a perilous moment for democracy in the United States, but I couldn’t be prouder of the Knight Institute’s work right now, and I don’t take for granted that we have the freedom and resources to do it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

This free speech group at Columbia is taking on Trump when the university won’t – and winning

The Knight Institute is defending free speech at a school now synonymous with compromising on it

www.theguardian.com

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 1d

In addition to our first two events (on Media Fragmentation and GenAI, join us!) you can read all the Center updates in our first newsletter: t.e2ma.net/webview/18gw...

Bonus, you can see how I accidentally indicated I was quitting to hundreds of my friends and colleagues (whoops)

Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 1d

Hah thank you Joanna! That's a kind way to say "forgot about social media for two years" but I'm getting back in the habit...

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 3d

Oh fun, friend and @northeasternu.bsky.social Professor John Wihbey is presenting on his new book, Governing Babel, on 10/29 at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social

hksexeced.tfaforms.net/f/registrati...

Reposted by Alex Engler

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4d

My new op-ed with @lkfazio.bsky.social:

Trump sent a 'compact' to our universities. They should reject this devil's bargain.
Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

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Reposted by Alex Engler

Techdirt @techdirt.com · 5d

Senator Cruz Figure Out Who Was President From 2018 To 2020 Challenge; Impossible

I have a simple question for Senator Ted Cruz: Who was president in 2018? How about 2020? I ask because Cruz just released a “bombshell” report claiming that the Biden administration "converted" CISA into "the…

Senator Cruz Figure Out Who Was President From 2018 To 2020 Challenge; Impossible

I have a simple question for Senator Ted Cruz: Who was president in 2018? How about 2020? I ask because Cruz just released a “bombshell” report claiming that the Biden administration "converted" CISA into "the Thought Police." There's just one tiny problem with this narrative: Cruz's own report shows that everything he's mad about started under Donald Trump, under whose leadership CISA was created.

www.techdirt.com

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 5d

Sign up

signup.e2ma.net

Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 5d

With:

Penn Profs Duncan Watts & Sandra González-Bailón @sgonzalezbailon.bsky.social

University of Copenhagen Professor Rasmus Kleis Nielsen

Veteran journalist & media executive S. Mitra Kalita @mitrakalita.bsky.social

Penn folks can attend in person: mediafragmentation-oncampus.eventbrite.com

Democratic Repercussions of Media Fragmentation (In-Person Attendance)

How does media fragmentation contribute to democratic erosion? Join us for lightning talks and a panel discussion on this critical issue.

mediafragmentation-oncampus.eventbrite.com

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 5d

The media continues to fragment, with an expanding number of outlets, influencers, podcasters, platforms and AI systems–while mass media has become more ideologically aligned.

Is this an opportunity to break political echo chambers, or will fragmentation undermine what shared reality we have left?

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 5d

Join our first public event on October 21, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

This is the launch of our event series, designed to share essential research on what ails, and how we can improve, the information environment.

Attend via zoom: mediafragmentation-online.eventbrite.com

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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 7d

It appears that my employer, Dartmouth, one of the Trump 9, has said no to the compact. All the better given that our president is cited within it. But she’s saying no. Count the small victories when they come.

Office of the President
Dear Dartmouth community,

As many of you know, Dartmouth was one of nine universities asked by the White House to give feedback by Oct. 20 on a draft of its “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”

I am deeply committed to Dartmouth’s academic mission and values and will always defend our fierce independence.

You have often heard me say that higher education is not perfect and that we can do better. At the same time, we will never compromise our academic freedom and our ability to govern ourselves.

Best,
Sian Leah Beilock
President

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Reposted by Alex Engler

G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 10d

A new report from Bright Line Watch finds experts now rate the U.S. as a "mixed" or "illiberal" democracy. The rating is dragged down by Trump's attacks on institutions, a weak legislature, political violence, and partisan gerrymandering www.gelliottmorris.com/p/experts-no...

Experts now rate the U.S. as a "mixed" or "illiberal" democracy

Experts say political violence, Trump's attacks against non-partisan agencies and institutions, and partisan gerrymandering are their top concerns

www.gelliottmorris.com

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Reposted by Alex Engler

Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 14d

Hegseth fires general officers and JAGs, cracks down on dissenting views in military, orders killing civilians at sea without legal rationale, calls generals to Quantico to demand loyalty.

Trump deploys troops to U.S. cities.

"What are Trump and Hegseth up to? It's a mystery!"

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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 14d

This is one of the more chilling things I've read in recent weeks. I can't believe Just Security had to publish this, but I'm glad it did.

FAQ for Senior Military Officers at Hegseth's Quantico Meeting

Military justice expert Eugene Fidell answers crucial questions ahead of next week's senior military meeting with Secretary Hegseth.

www.justsecurity.org

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Reposted by Alex Engler

Micah Loewinger @micahloewinger.bsky.social · 17d

My employer New York Public Radio just announced that it is offering @onthemedia.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social, and other programs to at-risk public radio stations for free! More info: current.org/2025/09/wnyc...

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404 Media @404media.co · 19d

NEW: 404 Media is suing ICE. We have filed a lawsuit demanding the agency release its $2 million contract with Paragon, a company that makes powerful spyware to break into phones and read messages from encrypted chat apps www.404media.co/were-suing-i...

We’re Suing ICE for Its $2 Million Spyware Contract

404 Media has filed a lawsuit against ICE for access to its contract with Paragon, a company that sells powerful spyware for breaking into phones and accessing encrypted messaging apps.

www.404media.co

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Techdirt @techdirt.com · 22d

How MAGA Killed Foreign Influence Research, But Now Demands Social Media Stop Foreign Influence Campaigns

It's fascinating how quickly the tune changes when the shoe's on the other foot. For years, we've been treated to endless screaming about how any effort to identify and counter foreign…

How MAGA Killed Foreign Influence Research, But Now Demands Social Media Stop Foreign Influence Campaigns

It's fascinating how quickly the tune changes when the shoe's on the other foot. For years, we've been treated to endless screaming about how any effort to identify and counter foreign manipulation on social media was "censorship" and a violation of Americans' free speech rights. The same crowd that turned researchers into pariahs and shut down entire government offices dedicated to studying foreign influence operations are now… demanding that social media platforms identify foreign accounts?

www.techdirt.com

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 22d

hey so this is insane

Brendan Carr confirming that the FCC is carrying out Project 2025 stuff via a gif on Twitter

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Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 22d

I'll say it: against all expectations, the media are covering the Trump censorship story right. They're not pretending it's about Kirk, they're covering Trump as a broad threat to free press and speech, and they're speaking broadly about the stakes.

It can be done!

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Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 22d

An unprecedented assault on freedom of speech and American democracy.

What you choose to do tomorrow is what you will have done when autocracy came to America.

Do something that will make you proud.

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nilay patel @reckless.bsky.social · 23d

Btw very important to say that the FCC has not at all said what Kimmel said that was so objectionable! This is classic chilling effect - there are no rules so everyone stops talking

www.theverge.com/news/780471/...

Disney and ABC have pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air “indefinitely” after FCC chairman Brendan Carr threatened to pull the broadcast licenses of any station that aired his show over comments Kimmel made about the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk.

The decision, according to Variety, was made after television giant Nexstar announced that its local ABC affiliates would pre-empt airings of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, just hours after Carr issued that threat. Nexstar is one of the biggest owners of television stations across the country. We’ve reached out to the FCC for comment on what specifically is objectionable from Kimmel’s show and which FCC regulations he may have violated.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 23d

Right out of the modern authoritarian playbook www.unpopularfront.news/p/this-is-it

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Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 23d

This is jawboning. This is what the Freedom Caucus fascists of the Weaponization Committee and their Substack lackeys pretended was happening under some “Biden regime,” but it wasn’t. It was always projection.

The ABC late-night host's remarks constituted "the sickest conduct possible,"
FCC chair Brendan Carr told right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson on Wednesday.
Carr suggested his FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses as a way to force Disney to punish Kimmel.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said. "These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
Carr added that the broadcasters, including ABC, "have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public

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