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. 

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.

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.