News & Analysis

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will host a program with the Freedom Forum on Wednesday, April 29. The program, “Free Speech and Free Press: From National Trends to Ole Miss,” will examine public awareness and support for First Amendment freedoms, with a particular eye on how speech is viewed on college campuses, as well as the real-world challenges and opportunities facing journalists today.

The program will begin at 5:30 in the Overby Center auditorium on the Ole Miss campus. The Overby Center is at 555 Grove Loop on the Ole Miss campus. Free parking is available for the public. A reception for all attendees will follow the program. 

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.

Richard “Dick” Scruggs said that both the news media and the Bill of Rights are under attack in various ways, including by the government. HIs remarks came in a luncheon on March 25 in the Great Conversations Series by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics.

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted a screening of the documentary film "The Whiskey Speech: Soggy Sweat, Prohibition & The Power of Storytelling" on March 24 in the Overby Center auditorium. The film is directed and produced by David Crews, a member of the Overby Center Board of Trustees. Crews participated in the program along with Charles Overby, chairman of the Overby Center.

Charles Mitchell, a member of The Overby Center panel of experts, discusses how Brendan Carr is using his role within the FCC to pressure broadcasters into supporting the Trump Administration and how that could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Will Norton, a member of The Overby Center panel of experts, reminisces on Rev. John Perkins life and some of his experiences with him.

R.J. Morgan, a member of The Overby Center panel of experts, discusses “Highway of Diamonds” and how it further connects Bob Dylan to the African American community.

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. 

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.

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.

Charles Mitchell, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses how Chief Justice John Roberts has long touted the need for an independent judiciary as an essential element in a functioning democracy.

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss withheld a segment on a notorious prison in El Salvador before it was scheduled to air on “60 Minutes.” Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, discusses the controversy surrounding holding a story dealing with criticism of the Trump administration.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s exit caused hard feelings around the university and the state of Mississippi. Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, comments on a recent article by Baptist Press that uses Kiffin’s leaving for advice to pastors. 

Jared Schroeder, an associate professor at the Missouri School of Journalism, discusses some lawmakers have proposed bills to support local journalism. He and Zivile Raskauskaite, a doctoral candidate, created the new resource that tracks legislative efforts to support local journalism, which is hosted by the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

R.J. Morgan, instructional associate professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi and director of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, discusses the annual Fall Statewide Convention at the University of Southern Mississippi. MSPA has a new partnership with Press Forward Mississippi which aims to strengthen local media.

Robert F. Darden of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that, when freedom of speech was restricted, protest spirituals were an effective means of communication that also became foundational messages for the Civil Rights Movement. 

Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts discusses the Pentagon’s new media policy imposed by Pete Hegseth.

In an exclusive Q&A with the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, James E. “Jim” Prince III shares his insights on ensuring journalistic integrity, the relationship between advertisers and news outlets, and the current state of journalism.

As Mississippi celebrates the 100th anniversary of Medgar Evers’ birth, his daughter Reena Evers-Everette, joined by Mississippi Today’s Jerry Mitchell and Dr. RJ Morgan, a professor at Ole Miss, talked about how she remembered her father and how Mitchell played such a big role within her family. 

Longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, a conservative Democrat, and his wife are under indictment on charges of bribery, fraud, and money laundering. Speculation continues that Cuellar might switch parties to become a Republican in exchange for a pardon. Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, examines the issues.

Terry Mattingly, Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture at Saint Constantine College in Houston and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the new debates on the First Amendment created after Charlie Kirk’s death.

In an exclusive Q&A with the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, James E. “Jim” Prince III shares his insights on the future of journalism, the evolving relationship of advertising and news, and ensuring objectivity.

Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Gerrymandering of district lines has been around a long time, writes Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts. And Chief Justice John Roberts, in a majority opinion in 2019, wrote that it’s up to voters, not the courts, to deal with the issue.