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Lee Levine

@leelevine.bsky.social
517 followers 241 following 29 posts

Managing Director, The Press Clause Coalition Author, In Bad Faith: Earl Caldwell and the Fight for a Free Press All about my grandkids, a free press, the Washington Nationals, golf, and Stephen Sondheim—not necessarily in that order

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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 14h
A great piece about a great journalist.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 15h
On the night Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered in 1968, Earl Caldwell was the lone New York Times reporter at the motel in Memphis. Here’s how he covered the weeks of rage that followed and decades of dispute over how it all went down. nyti.ms/4AVdiDx
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Great piece about a great journalist. Read more about him in “In Bad Faith: Earl Caldwell and the fight for a free press.” Link in the article. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/u...
nytimes.com
A Shot Rang Out. M.L.K. Went Down. And a Reporter’s Instincts Kicked In. (Free Access)
Earl Caldwell was staying one floor down from Martin Luther King Jr. when the civil rights leader was killed.
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Great piece about a great journalist. Read more about him in “In Bad Faith: Earl Caldwell and the fight for a free press.” Link in the article. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/u...
nytimes.com
A Shot Rang Out. M.L.K. Went Down. And a Reporter’s Instincts Kicked In. (Free Access)
Earl Caldwell was staying one floor down from Martin Luther King Jr. when the civil rights leader was killed.
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Jacob Schriner-Briggs @jschrinerbriggs.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Anyway, there's much to be said about WWII and the Cold War's influence on our free speech imaginary, both in its civil libertarian claims and its stunning practical failures. Relatedly, I haven't yet read this piece from Richard Primus (a student note!), but I'm eager to:
openyls.law.yale.edu
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Listen to this man, he’s very wise.
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Matthew Schafer @matthewschafer.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
👇👇👇
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Heidi Kitrosser @heidikitrosser.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This article says that Microsoft has been posting updates about the Outlook outage on X. How nice of them to keep X users informed. Their Bluesky account has posted nothing since February 2025. @microsoft.com www.cnet.com/news-live/mi...
cnet.com
Microsoft Outlook Hit by Exchange Online Service Outage - CNET
Outlook users are facing a frustrating start to the work week thanks to an issue with Microsoft Exchange Online.
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re curious about the framers’ understanding of what it meant to have a free press.
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Rachel Goodman @rachelegoodman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
What gives Brendan Carr the idea that he can police ABC's programming, anyway? Here's more from me on the FCC's public interest authority-- and what Congress should do about it.
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Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
At @knightcolumbia.org we're very good at anticipating news developments but the timing of this just-posted piece by @rachelegoodman.bsky.social exceeds even our high standards. (The substance of the piece is great, too.) knightcolumbia.org/blog/congres...
knightcolumbia.org
Congress Must Curtail the FCC’s Speech Regulation Authority
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Rachel Goodman @rachelegoodman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
So glad to see this important suit on file.
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Rachel Goodman @rachelegoodman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
(3/3)Truly chilling stuff, adding to the conclusion that the FCC's actions against ABC constitute "“an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process.” protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
protectdemocracy.org
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Knight First Amendment Institute @knightcolumbia.org · 17/08/2026
Read the full memo written by @serenamayeri.bsky.social and Amanda Shanor urging Yale’s leadership to reject a settlement deal put forth by the Trump administration, noting its likelihood to chill freedom of expression and academic inquiry on campus. knightcolumbia.org/blog/the-ful...
knightcolumbia.org
Memo to Yale's President and General Counsel Opposing a Trump-Yale Deal
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Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @rcfp.org · 17/08/2026
@rcfp.org, joined by 45 news and media organizations, is urging a federal court to throw out indictments against Georgia Fort and Don Lemon related to their coverage of an immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church earlier this year.
rcfp.org
Federal court should dismiss charges against independent journalists Georgia Fort, Don Lemon
If the charges are upheld, federal officials would gain a powerful tool to suppress news reporting in the public interest.
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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
This is a wild exchange if you read Gonzales, the leading 2nd Cir. case on reporters’ privilege. The entire case is about the government trying to get the phone records of NYT journalists…the same thing the gov is trying to do now. What do you mean you didn’t know about that aspect of it 😂
Subramanian doesn't seem entirely satisfied by this response, but he has something else on his mind. He observes that the government didn't inform the Times' lawyers about the phone records subpoenas until July 17, with Sullivan's stated reason being that the government deemed disclosure appropriate after it identified "additional case law. What was the additional case law? he asks.
"It was the case law that indicates that the account holders could have standing to challenge and move to quash the subpoena with respect to their accounts," Buckley replies.
The judge is incredulous. That's the Gonzales case, right?
Were you unaware of Gonzales prior to July 17?
Buckley says the government was aware of Gonzales. But it was unaware of that aspect of Gonzales. This was an
"inadvertent error," he insists. "Nobody was looking to pull a fast one on the court."
Subramanian, still incredulous, clarifies: So prior to July 17, you personally were not aware that, in the leading case on the reporter's privilege, the court had made very clear that the privilege extended to records of this very kind in the hands of third-party providers?
Buckley replies: At that time I was not.
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Mark Zuckerman @markzuckerman.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Thanks to all of you who have lifted Nats Journal into the top-10 sports Substack bestsellers. And if you haven't subscribed yet ... what are you waiting for? natsjournal.com/subscribe
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Cristian Farias @cristianfarias.com · 23/07/2026
The subpoenas to The New York Times are withdrawn in real time, in open court, during a very embarrassing hearing for the Trump administration. Incredible work.
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Sonja West @sonjawest.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
I’ve been saying this for a while now — filing meritless defamation lawsuits to harass the press is not a risk-free pastime. For example, I’d love to see discovery and depositions about Kash Patel’s drinking habits. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Judge rules Trump must hand over financial records sought by BBC in defamation case
The judge grants a motion to compel the release of files held by the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust.
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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal have all received subpoenas from the Trump administration this year. @leelevine.bsky.social explains why the once “last resort” move of the Justice Department has become so common: lnk.to/onthemedia/b...
lnk.to
On the Media
The Peabody Award-winning On the Media podcast is your guide to examining how the media sausage is made. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger examine threats to free speech and government transparency, cast a skeptical eye on media coverage of the week’s big stories and unravel hidden political narratives in everything we read, watch and hear.
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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that journalists were not protected from being called to federal court for their reporting. Decades later, the Trump administration is using that power early and often w/ @leelevine.bsky.social lnk.to/onthemedia/b...
lnk.to
On the Media
The Peabody Award-winning On the Media podcast is your guide to examining how the media sausage is made. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger examine threats to free speech and government transparency, cast a skeptical eye on media coverage of the week’s big stories and unravel hidden political narratives in everything we read, watch and hear.
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Micah Loewinger @micahloewinger.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
This week I spoke with.. @mattgertz.bsky.social about Fox’s love for Todd Blanche and the end of an impartial DOJ @leelevine.bsky.social about the legal history of subpoenaing journalists
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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
“Nixon's undoing was ultimately his efforts to engage in a coverup. Donald Trump doesn't care about coverups,” says @leelevine.bsky.social. ”There is this long and detailed record of why these subpoenas are being issued... and what the motives are.” lnk.to/onthemedia/b...
lnk.to
On the Media
The Peabody Award-winning On the Media podcast is your guide to examining how the media sausage is made. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger examine threats to free speech and government transparency, cast a skeptical eye on media coverage of the week’s big stories and unravel hidden political narratives in everything we read, watch and hear.
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Matthew Gertz @mattgertz.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Talked with On The Media about why Todd Blanche is the AG the right-wing media has been waiting for.
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The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 18/07/2026
The recent subpoenas of reporters make clear that the President is trying to threaten the press. Few protections are in place to stop him. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
newyorker.com
Trump’s War on Journalists
The recent subpoenas of reporters make clear that the President is trying to threaten the press. Few protections are in place to stop him.
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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
📻 Show’s up! Featuring @mattgertz.bsky.social, Lee Levine, and Jenny Carchman
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On the Media @onthemedia.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Show's up! Featuring @mattgertz.bsky.social, Lee Levine, and Jenny Carchman:
wnycstudios.org
From Subpoenas to Cockroaches: Journalist Intimidation 101 | On the Media | WNYC Studios
This week, several New York Times reporters were subpoenaed by the Justice Department for their reporting on Air Force One. On this week’s On the Media, how a fifty-year-old Supreme C...
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Sadly, it’s that time again.
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Josh Chafetz @joshchafetz.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
What kind of fascist hellscape is happing on Pennsylvania Ave at the Eastern Market Metro stop? These guys—seemingly all white, all men—have their faces covered, are carrying shields, wearing brown …
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First Amendment Coalition @facoalition.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
WATCH: Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely explores the work of the legendary attorney--and FAC special advisor--who argued many of the landmark cases that transformed the First Amendment into a cornerstone of journalistic freedom and American democracy. www.speakingfreelyfilm.com
speakingfreelyfilm.com
Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely
Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely is a biopic of the First Amendment as told through the story of one of its greatest legal advocates.
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FRONTLINE @frontlinepbs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Our new documentary "The Crown Prince and the President" examines the alliance between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and what each stands to gain — from ambitions for a new Middle East, to arms deals, investments and personal profit. youtu.be/C6gcwTz_85s
youtu.be
What Each Stands to Gain | The Crown Prince & the President (full documentary) | FRONTLINE (PBS)
YouTube video by FRONTLINE PBS | Official
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tboutrous.bsky.social @tboutrous.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Court Halts Pentagon Rule Requiring Escorts for Journalists www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/b...
nytimes.com
Court Halts Pentagon Rule Requiring Escorts for Journalists
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Sonja West @sonjawest.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
This Alito retirement announcement mess wouldn’t have happened if we had cameras in the courtroom. Just say’n.
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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
“You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.” ~Clarence Darrow. Image: Associated Press.
This black and white photo shows a man—Clarence Darrow—standing and wearing a light suit with a dark tie. He looks directly at the camera.
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Stefan Fatsis @stefanfatsis.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
His mayor is Muslim His wife is Jewish He scored 45 Knicks in five
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Matthew Schafer @matthewschafer.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
🚨 🚨 🚨 The press is under attack. The Supreme Court's decision in First Choice might just suggest a new way to fight back. New from me at Prior Restraint: open.substack.com/pub/priorres...
open.substack.com
The Supreme Court and the Frenchman: What a Recent Decision Might Mean for the Press Clause
A largely ignored First Amendment right made a cameo in a recent Supreme Court decision. The history behind that clause could matter enormously right now.
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
What a great way to launch The Press Clause Coalition!
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
It appears the subpoenas have now arrived. A good time to reiterate that the Supreme Court has expressly held that grand jury subpoenas issued to journalists “other than in good faith” violate the freedom of the press guaranteed by the First Amendment.
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NellMinow @nellminow.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
2/2 He also said, "I am unalterably opposed to governmental censorship. There will be no suppression of programming which does not meet with bureaucratic tastes. Censorship strikes at the tap root of our free society."
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Ray E. Boomhower @rboomhower.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
"No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices." Edward R. Murrow, who died on this day in 1965
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Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
The *intro* to the indictment against SPLC “speaks about millions of dollars….used to pay informants,” but when u get to the “actual charges, the amounts dwindle to…$13,905 [total]… No explanation has been given…4 the huge discrepancy between the introductory language…& what is actually charged.“ 1/
justsecurity.org
The Poverty of the DOJ Indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center
Former head of the DOJ Fraud Section, Weissmann discusses conspicuous gaps in the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
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CREW @citizensforethics.org · 22/04/2026
NEW: The Southern Poverty Law Center has spent the past 50 years as one of the nation’s most critical bulwarks against the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups. By going after them, it is clear who the Trump administration supports in the fight against white nationalism.
citizensforethics.org
CREW statement on Southern Poverty Law Center - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The Southern Poverty Law Center has spent the past 50 years as one of the nation’s most critical bulwarks against the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups. This is yet another attempt by the Trump admin...
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CAC @myconstitution.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
When civil rights groups like SPLC are targeted and intimidated, we are all less safe. It's no surprise that a President who has offered clemency to Proud Boys and Oath Keepers would now go after nonprofits that monitor such dangerous extremist groups. www.theusconstitution.org/news/cac-rel...
theusconstitution.org
CAC Release: Targeting Civil Rights Groups Leaves All Americans Less Safe | Constitutional Accountability Center
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to yesterday’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Constitutional Accountability Center (CAC) Vice President Praveen Fernandes issued the following reaction: Ye...
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Genevieve Lakier @genevievelakier.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
For example from Gentile v. State Bar Nevada, 501 U.S. 1030, (1991)
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Andrew Golden @andrewgolden.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Thanks for sharing!
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Karlene Goller @kgoller.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
www.nytimes.com/video/inside... #1A
nytimes.com
Video: A Times Lawyer on Why the Pentagon Lawsuit Matters
A federal judge recently determined that certain Pentagon restrictions on news outlets violated the First Amendment. David McCraw, who heads the newsroom legal team for The New York Times, discusses t...
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Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @rcfp.org · 28/03/2026
A Colorado town pulled advertising from a local newspaper in retaliation for reporting it disliked. After an @rcfp.org attorney representing the newspaper pushed back, the town reversed course.
rcfp.org
After RCFP pushback, Colorado town settles First Amendment dispute with local newspaper
The town of Bennett, Colorado, had pulled advertising from The I-70 Scout in retaliation for its reporting.
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Lee Levine @leelevine.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Agree
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