News & Analysis
Does the First Amendment preclude local governments from putting up Christmas decorations, including the depictions of the Nativity? Not if the “Reindeer Rule” is followed. The rule helps protect the First Amendment separation of church and state. David Callaway, former religious freedom specialist of the Freedom Forum, explores the origins of the “Reindeer Rule” and what it means.
Black gospel music and its free speech implications will be the focus of a program by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. “Free Speech, Freedom Songs and the Music of Liberation” will be presented in the Overby Center auditorium on Feb. 25 as a part of Black History Month.
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.
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill spoke about the city of Oxford’s current infrastructure budgeting situation as part of the Great Conversations series by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Members of the Oxford community and representatives of Ole Miss were in attendance.
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.
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts discusses the sharp division of political parties and the redistricting of congressional districts to increase “safe seats.”
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.
A student support fund has been established in the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics in honor of Rose Jackson Flenorl (’79), manager of global citizenship at the FedEx Corporation and an alumna of the University of Mississippi.
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.
After 50 successful years, the president and Congress decided to save $500 million (less than $2 per American per year) by refusing to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The move is purely political, writes Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and the Overby Center.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon was the headliner for “All In on Mississippi,” a half-day economic development summit in downtown Jackson backed by JPMorgan and seven local sponsors.
Jana J. Pruet, a freelance writer, discusses a rift between President Donald Trump and parts of his MAGA base over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts discusses the Trump administration’s attempts to use the First Amendment to change higher education.
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the settlement of a libel suit Trump filed against CBS News over the editing of a 60 Minute interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Numerous states have passed anti-SLAPP laws that provide mechanisms to have frivolous, malicious lawsuits dismissed before they can create harm. Several southern states, however, do not have anti-SLAPP laws and publishers in those states take on more risk when they publish than their counterparts in states with anti-SLAPP laws. Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that more anti-SLAPP laws are needed to protect freedom of expression.
The names of Confederate leaders are back on military bases in the South, but the honorees are from a different era and have the same names that were moved by Congress. There seems to be a sense that the Trump administration is playing politics with the military and ignoring a bipartisan move by Congress, writes Tony Pederson of the Overby Center.
A new documentary film on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech will be presented at a program in October by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. When Prohibition was still in effect in Mississippi and the issue of liquor a major point of political and social discussion, Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat first delivered the speech at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, Miss., in 1952.
Southern comedian Jeff Foxworthy has made the meme “you might be a redneck if…” famous. He tells Terry Mattingly of the Overby Center that since “we agree on about 85% of stuff,” he likes to stay in his own lane in his comedy routines.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration and interviewing notable women such as Barbara Walters were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA TODAY and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, discussed her journalistic career.
There’s a story behind how Baylor University in Waco, Texas, became the center of a significant project to preserve and store Black gospel music. Robert Darden, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts and professor emeritus at Baylor, tells the story.
News organizations have been trumpeting partnerships with AI firms, but they should be entering such arrangements with caution. Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that such partnerships could damage journalism in the long run.
In an exclusive Q&A with the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, Paul Keane shares his insights on the future of journalism, public relations, and the emergence of artificial intelligence.
Professor Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi writes that the Trump administration’s agenda for universities would undermine their historic independence and research ability.
The music and early civil rights work of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will be the focus of a fall program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. “Songs of Freedom: Bob Dylan’s Mississippi,” will be presented Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Overby Center Auditorium on the Ole Miss campus.