Featured
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism

Ronnie Agnew, a longtime editor and news media executive and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses The recent steep layouts of staff at The Washington Post.

Inside Journalism
Featured
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism

Ronnie Agnew, a longtime editor and news media executive and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses The recent steep layouts of staff at The Washington Post.

Inside Journalism
Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance
Events
Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance
Events

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted “Free Speech, Freedom Songs, and the Music of Liberation” on February 25 in the Overby auditorium as part of Black History Month. 

Events
Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24
Events
Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24
Events

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. The program will feature a screening of a documentary film on the speech, followed by a discussion of the historical context and importance of the speech. Cosponsors for the event are the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Mississippi Judicial College, and the Lafayette County Bar Association.

Events
Featured
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism
Cuts at Washington Post create a news desert at the highest levels of journalism
Inside Journalism

Ronnie Agnew, a longtime editor and news media executive and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses The recent steep layouts of staff at The Washington Post.

Inside Journalism
Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance
Events
Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance
Events

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted “Free Speech, Freedom Songs, and the Music of Liberation” on February 25 in the Overby auditorium as part of Black History Month. 

Events
Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24
Events
Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24
Events

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. The program will feature a screening of a documentary film on the speech, followed by a discussion of the historical context and importance of the speech. Cosponsors for the event are the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Mississippi Judicial College, and the Lafayette County Bar Association.

Events
Robert Duvall on sin, redemption and the true South
Robert Duvall on sin, redemption and the true South

Terry Mattingly, a member of The Overby Center panel of experts, discusses Robert Duvall and his movie “The Apostle”. He touches on the influence that faith and the Deep South had on the movie.

First Amendment rights in the military
First Amendment
First Amendment rights in the military
First Amendment

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, was among a group of lawmakers who posted an online video that said military members “can refuse illegal orders.” President Donald Trump immediately accused the lawmakers of sedition. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued Kelly a formal censure and took steps to reduce his rank. Kelly sued, claiming the government was retaliating against him for free speech. A federal judge agreed with Kelly and wrote that the government “trampled on Kelly’s First Amendment freedoms.” Do members of the military enjoy the same First Amendment rights other citizens have? It’s a complex issue. Scott A. Leadingham, staff writer at the Freedom Forum, examines the question.

First Amendment

Southern Views & Current Topics

Explore insights and analysis from our Overby Center experts

About the Overby Center

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism & Politics explores the current intersection of media and politics in the American South and supports the principles of the First Amendment.

An independent center based on the University of Mississippi campus, it is an affiliate of the Freedom Forum in Washington, D.C.

Learn more >>

Overby Center Events

“Renewing America, Renewing Hope”

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 — The Overby Center hosted Wesley Clark, Retired Four-Star General of the U.S. Army, in a conversation about the importance of empowering leaders for civil impact. The event featured former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.

Event overview | Watch on YouTube (1:04)

UP NEXT —

Tragedy on Trial
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 5-6 p.m.

Ronald Collins discusses his new book, “Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial.”

Moderated by Otis Sanford, professor emeritus in Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis.

Learn more >>