News & Analysis
The Epstein files saga could be a defining issue for the MAGA movement
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.
First Amendment designed to be a shield, but now is being used as a sword
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.
Trump continues to reshape the landscape of the American presidency and news media
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.
More Anti-SLAPP laws needed to protect freedom of expression, particularly in the South
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.
In a bit of a trick, Trump has placed Confederate names back on Southern military bases
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.
For Christian comedian Jeff Foxworthy, jokes about religion cut too close to the bone
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.
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days
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.
How Waco, Texas, Became the Unlikely Center for the Study of Black Gospel Music
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.
Partnerships between news organizations and AI firms could result in a huge loss for journalism
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.
Q&A with Paul Keane
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.
Trump challenge to universities is a threat to history and nature of academic inquiry
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.
Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963
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.
Postcards of the hanging: Dylan's Minnesota conjures a complicated past
R.J. Morgan, professor at the University of Mississippi, discusses singer-songwriter Bob Dylan’s music and Minnesota’s history of violence.
A friend roared at me on Facebook. Here’s how we can turn down the political volume.
Retired Houston Chronicle executive editor Steve Riley, writing for the Overby Center, relates a typical encounter on social media that speaks to the problem of our political dialogue.
Q&A with Lyndy Berryhill
Q&A with Lyndy Berryhill, General Manager of Stone County Enterprise.
U.S. Department of Education began as an acorn and is now a forest
The Department of Education is comparable to a forest, funding dozens of programs in all states and territories and issuing edicts forcing local schools to spend lots of cash on filing compliance forms.
A Hispanic version of ‘The Talk’ is needed as border crisis finally becomes reality
A father and daughter in Deep South Texas had "The Talk" regarding how to respond to questioning from immigration authorities.
Veteran USA TODAY Washington reporter Susan Page to headline Overby program
Susan Page, Washington bureau chief for USA Today and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, will appear at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Tuesday, April 29.
After the pandemic, giving students real-world learning experiences has become more difficult, important
Mississippi has been pro-active in beginning and maintaining a variety of activities that benefit scholastic journalism students.
Judge withdraws order that a Clarksdale newspaper must take down editorial
A state judge in Mississippi has withdrawn her order that a newspaper in Clarksdale, Miss., must take down an editorial criticizing local officials for not providing notice of a meeting to consider a tax increase.