News & Analysis

By R.J. Morgan Overby Student Workers By R.J. Morgan Overby Student Workers

Press Forward Mississippi and MSPA collaboration is an  important advance for young journalists

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.

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By Carlos Sanchez Claressa Pettis By Carlos Sanchez Claressa Pettis

Speculation about U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s future as a Dem is in the mix with indictments

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.

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By Jared Schroeder Overby Center By Jared Schroeder Overby Center

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.

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By Tony Pederson Overby Center By Tony Pederson Overby Center

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.

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