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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

If only UT wasn't also doing everything it could to undermine the brand it built...

Reposted by Amy Kristin Sanders

Mike Reilley @mikereilley.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Welcome to our new Journalist's Toolbox sponsor, SeeGov. It's a suite of tools that help you monitor highlights of public meetings and create short social media videos from them. It's an invaluable tool ... seegov.org/backstage-ac...

seegov.org

SeeGov - Highlights of Your Local Government Meetings

Watch highlights of your city, county, and school board meetings. Know your local leaders and issues. Be prepared to vote and participate.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“It has become pretty clear that this administration is not interested in playing by traditional First Amendment rules and norms.” I love seeing stories tackling important issues like the White House press ban and Paramount/WB merger in ways that explain to young people why they matter.

hercampus.com

Midterms 2026: Feeling Pressed?

Between Trump’s developing beef with certain media outlets, and the massive merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., I’m just as intrigued as you are about the press’ impact on this year’s election.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The amount of attempts that universities make to solicit money from their own employees is embarrassing. Minnesota sent us a ton of email solicitations when I was a young professor after they'd declared a fiscal stringency and "furloughed" us. Um, you eminent domained my paycheck, so no...

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

These are great opportunities starting next fall for recent law school graduates interested in media and communications law.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I still stumble across pens from my time at the University of Minnesota. Every time I find one, I think, "Wow! These pens are really great. I'm glad I managed to hang on to some of them." Nearly 20 years later, they're still going strong!

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Seeing Gremlins in the theater when I was 5 years old really messed me up. I hid my Gizmo stuffy in a closet in another room for a really long time.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Aw, shucks. Another public official who sued unsuccessfully for defamation won't get a seven-figure payday. Now, if only there was a federal Anti-SLAPP law to get these ridiculous cases kicked quicker.

apnews.com

Supreme Court rejects Roy Moore's push to restore $8.2M defamation verdict

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Roy Moore’s push to restore an $8.2 million defamation verdict awarded to him over a 2017 Senate ad.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

DOJ avoids the emergency hearing, but Judge Kelly remains on standby if access challenges arise after hours.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The plot thickens as Oval Office access issues continue during Trump/Xi meeting, where Trump jokes about press freedom in China.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

White House: All good by 10 a.m., we swear. Reporters: Still standing outside White House in the 11 o'clock hour. Read between the lines.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

TL:DR: Somebody made a mistake, we promise. It was an honest mistake. Really.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Still no pool coverage of the White House from the TV networks,who are standing in solidarity with CNN. ABC reported to have a crew on site ready to provide coverage, but it will not do so until they have assurances CNN will be let back in.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

NYT now reporting CNN and MS NOW reporters who had been barred up until minutes ago have regained access to the White House grounds. DOJ's response on non-compliance due to Judge Kelly in less than 20 minutes.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Good news out of Iowa that was easily overlooked amid the White House press ban. Along with other things, this is likely making the president big mad this morning.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Apparently, it's a day for disobedience.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I don't see Judge Kelly taking kindly to this direct disobedience, but well know for sure soon... DOJ's response due in less than an hour.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It was Access Week in Media Law! The most perfect timing for the most terrible thing.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It was refreshing to see Judge Kelly not buy the national security pre-text.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Some journalists get it: The public deserves to see the documents themselves. @joshgerstein.bsky.social and @chrisgeidner.bsky.social are among the best at making sure the public can access court records that live behind the PACER paywall. Journalism is a public service. Democracy depends on it.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

“It’s that same mandate for viewpoint neutrality that, yes, would prohibit ... a public university, from banning a blackface performance because of its offensive message; that protects all of our abilities to stand up and say, ‘No, that’s wrong.’” @jtmorristx.bsky.social schools Judge Duncan.

courthousenews.com

LGBTQ student groups challenge Texas A&M bans on campus drag shows

The groups are asking the Fifth Circuit to rule policies prohibiting drag shows at university venues violate the First Amendment.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Proud of @jtmorristx.bsky.social who routinely handles the Fifth Circuit's inane questions with poise: “I have no doubts that most ... find a blackface minstrel show highly offensive. But the reason we’ve all come to that conclusion is because of the First Amendment..."

courthousenews.com

LGBTQ student groups challenge Texas A&M bans on campus drag shows

The groups are asking the Fifth Circuit to rule policies prohibiting drag shows at university venues violate the First Amendment.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

DOJ's filings continue to be sloppy and less than candid with the court. Judge Kelly notes, "[I]n most cases, the reporters who authored the stories Defendants identify in their letters did not even hold hard passes."

storage.courtlistener.com

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

No discussion by Kelly, at this point, on the First Amendment/retaliation claims, but it wasn't necessary because he found it likely the news organizations would prevail on their Fifth Amendment due process claim that their access was revoked without any notice and/or hearing.

storage.courtlistener.com

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Kelly finds it hard to swallow the national security argument: "[T]hat is not what President Trump said when he announced that he was 'banning' Plaintiffs from the White House—instead, he focused on the alleged lack of truthfulness and negativity of Plaintiffs’ reporting."

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Kelly, a Trump appointee, cites Grosjean, on the importance of free press: "Moreover, Plaintiffs—and the public—have an abiding interest in maintaining the status quo ante given the importance of the free press, which 'stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people.'”

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"[T]he Court is skeptical—at least on this record—that Defendants’ interest in safeguarding national security is the actual motivation for, or is even advanced by, the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes" Kelly notes DOJ is citing/complaining about reporting that is months and years old.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Judge Tim Kelly grants CNN et al's TRO, putting them back in the White House for 14 days. "Plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success, at least on their Fifth Amendment procedural due process claim."

storage.courtlistener.com

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

CNN, MS NOW and Politico are back in the White House — for at least 14 days. @chrisgeidner.bsky.social doing the public service and bringing us Judge Kelly's order in the wee hours of the morning.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Pew's new research on how the public feels about press freedom suggests whether they approve of this will depend on whether they believe the national security lie DOJ is pushing. Thankfully, Trump can't keep a secret so we all know the real reason he banned these journalists.

pewresearch.org

Americans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits

Many people in the U.S. say some press freedom restrictions are OK when weighed against concerns about false information or national security.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

How the DOJ justify Trump's White House press ban? They played the 'national security' card. "They have failed to maintain basic minimum 'standards of professionalism and decorum..., including' by “publishing sensitive or classified information.” Disgraceful. Read it for yourself.

storage.courtlistener.com

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This doofus came to Penn State for the first day of classes and there were lines out the door. I think the orange jumpsuit will really compliment his surgically enhanced jawline.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

"Since his first term, President Trump has actively worked to undermine the public's trust in the press." I spoke to Interia News Poland about the global effects of President Trump's White House press ban. I have no doubt authoritarian leaders are watching this closely.

wydarzenia.interia.pl

"Cicho, świnko". Trump poszedł na całość. "W najnowszej historii czegoś takiego nie widzieliśmy"

Donald Trump wyrzucił CNN, MS NOW i Politico z Białego Domu; media pozywają prezydenta, zarzucając łamanie wolności prasy.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I got to join @wcreeley.bsky.social over the lunch hour today on @whyy.org's Studio 2 to talk about the most recent developments in press freedom at the White House. It's safe to say we had some fun — though Will's definitely got better timing with his wittiness than I do!

whyy.org

White House vs. Free Press - WHYY

President Trump banned certain news outlets from the White House this weekend. What does it mean for press freedom and American democratic institutions?

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A new first for me: A live interview in Russian for RTVI, a Russian-language broadcaster for expats that airs in more than 125 countries. I, of course, did not speak Russian when talking about the decision not to have TV pool coverage of Trump today. RTVI's not affiliated with RT/Russian govt.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

There's no time like the present... No doubt Judge Kelly is familiar with the case law in this area given his role in presiding over the litigation when the first Trump Administration revoked Jim Acosta's press credentials.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This administration continues to say the quiet parts out loud. It's usually a challenge to show causation in retaliation claims. But between Trump's social media posts and the reporting on this story, it's out there for everyone to see.

cnn.com

Natalie Harp showed Trump coverage clips before he issued media ban | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump’s close aide Natalie Harp showed him clips of media coverage last week before he banned Politico, CNN and MS NOW from the White House, people familiar with the matter said.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Let's remember how the Acosta ban turned out for Trump when Judge Kelly heard argument in that case...

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Here are the filings in this morning's lawsuit stemming from President Trump's decision to bar CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House. Thanks to @chrisgeidner.bsky.social for making them available!

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The only way to fight a bully is to work together and push back...

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

“If the courts are unwilling to stand up to the President's brazen attempts to limit critical reporting, it's not a stretch to believe other government leaders in the United States and abroad will follow suit.”

katiecouric.com

Trump Just Banned Three Major News Outlets From the White House — Could More Follow?

The unprecedented move is already fueling First Amendment concerns.

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Amy Kristin Sanders @amykristinsanders.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The complete lack of respect and professionalism President Trump shows to journalists, particularly female journalists, sends my blood pressure through the roof.

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