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.
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.
R.J. Morgan, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses how Mississippi went from near the bottom in education to the top. It began with a controversial plan, but the results have been a remarkable success.
The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. This date is changed from the earlier announcement because of scheduling conflicts. 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.
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.
R.J. Morgan, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses how Mississippi went from near the bottom in education to the top. It began with a controversial plan, but the results have been a remarkable success.
The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. This date is changed from the earlier announcement because of scheduling conflicts. 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.
Charles Mitchell, associate professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi, discusses a jury trial involving Meta and Google to decide whether the companies are intentionally addicting customers, especially young customers, without their customers’ knowledge or consent.
Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses Tejano singer Bobby Pulido as a Democratic candidate for the 15th Congressional District in Texas. The Texas 15th may determine whether Hispanic support for Trump two years ago was an anomaly or if the Republicans have the staying power to sustain the Hispanic vote.
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.
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.
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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.