Trump refocuses program to combat violent extremism to focus on Islam only. Kellyanne Conway conflates real facts and fake ones to cite non-existent “Bowling Green Massacre” as justification for immigration ban. White House female employees are reportedly under strict instructions on what to wear, prompting hashtag #DresslikeaWoman‎. The New Yorker and Vanity Fair pull out of annual White House Correspondents Dinner festivities.
-Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director

DARE: Daily Alert on Rights and Expression

PEN America’s take on today’s most pressing threats to free expression

U.S.

Kellyanne Conway cites ‘Bowling Green massacre’ that never happened to defend travel ban
The Bowling Green massacre didn’t get covered because it didn’t happen. There has never been a terrorist attack in Bowling Green, Ky., carried out by Iraqi refugees or anyone else.
THE WASHINGTON POST

Maryland judge dismisses Melania Trump’s libel lawsuit against Daily Mail
A Maryland judge has dismissed first lady Melania Trump’s libel lawsuit against Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper over an article that contained insinuations that she had worked as an escort.
FOX NEWS

Trump Vows to ‘Destroy’ Law Banning Political Endorsements by Churches
President Trump vowed on Thursday to overturn a law restricting political speech by tax-exempt churches, a potentially huge victory for the religious right and a gesture to evangelicals.
NEW YORK TIMES

Special report on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch
An extensive look at Gorsuch’s views on free speech, free press, and freedom of information issues.
REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

A Free Speech Battle at the Birthplace of a Movement at Berkeley
Protest has been synonymous with the University of California, Berkeley, from the earliest days of the free speech movement, when students fought to expand political expression on campus beginning in 1964.
NEW YORK TIMES

 
Global

Israeli Forces Raid Palestinian-owned Publishing House
Israeli forces raided a Palestinian publishing house in the West Bank district of Ramallah, and seized equipment, the Palestinian News and Info Agency reports.
INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST MEDIA CENTER

Bangladeshi journalist shot while covering clashes between party factions
A journalist covering clashes between rival factions of the Awami League in Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur is battling for his life after being shot in the head.
BANGLADESH NEWS 24

Russian critic Vladimir Kara-Murza suffers sudden organ failure
A prominent Russian opposition activist has been hospitalised with organ failure, two years after he almost died of suspected poisoning.
BBC

How Iranian director Asghar Farhadi skirts the censors back home
Asghar Farhadi, director of The Salesman, issued a statement about the U.S. and his home country, Iran, after announcing he would not attend the Oscars because of U.S. president Donald Trump’s immigration ban.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL

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