What’s at Stake?: The First Amendment Freedom to Protect Democracy

Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/08/2025
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

In collaboration with the What’s at Stake project, join this timely discussion on the role of First Amendment freedoms in protecting democracy.

The United States is backsliding into what political scientists call “electoral autocracy,” where elections are held but there is not free and fair competition. The President and his party are weaponizing the state to weaken the political opposition and the journalism outlets, media, platforms, and universities that can hold them accountable, including through elections. At such a moment, the First Amendment freedom to produce information and knowledge in the public interest that safeguards democratic elections, processes, and norms is crucial. This panel will provide a clear-eyed, research-based analysis of what is at stake and argue for the right, and responsibility, of media and platforms to serve as democratic gatekeepers and hold elected leaders accountable for eroding checks on their power. At a time when many university administrators and faculty would rather talk about the hypothetical threats of AI than the wolves at the door, panelists will detail the urgency of the existential threats to our shared democratic life, the violent consequences of inaction such as during the attempted coup on January 6th, and the ways that journalism, platforms, and universities must rise to meet the moment and fulfill their obligation of serving the public interest.

Panelists:

• Meredith D. Clark, Associate Professor of Race and Political Communication at UNC School of Journalism and Media; Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
• Shannon C. McGregor, Associate Professor at UNC School of Journalism and Media; Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
• Daniel Kreiss, Edgar Thomas Cato Distinguished Professor at UNC School of Journalism and Media; Faculty Director, Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
• Anika Collier Navaroli, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Journalism School; Reporting Fellow at Tech Policy Press

This event is part of UNC’s First Amendment Day and is free and open to the public. Students can earn Campus Life Experience (CLE) credit. 

Video is available on the Center’s YouTube channel: