President Trump steps up attacks on the media, tweeting out call for Senate Intelligence Committee to investigate “Fake News Networks,” presumably a reference to major news networks. His comments came on the heels of the President’s accusations yesterday that some coverage of Puerto Rican hurricane recovery was “fake news” and reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Trump a “moron” were also fake news. Secret Service says there are no visitor logs at Mar-A-Lago, raising Freedom of Information concerns.‎ ACLU debates dealing with the alt-right post-Charlottesville. -Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

Trump suggests Senate Intelligence Committee investigate media companies
After President Trump urged Senate Intelligence Committee to launch an investigation of the news media, which he believes are reporting information that is “just made up,” he labeled the reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called him a “moron” as fake news.
THE WASHINGTON POST

Secret Service: No visitor logs for Mar-a-Lago
Secret Service confirms that there is no systematic process for tracking visitors to Trump’s Florida resort, which holds many widely-attended events. Trump’s White House has previously said that it would not continue the “voluntary policy”, instituted by President Obama, to disclose information on most White House appointments.
POLITICO

After backing Alt-Right in Charlottesville, A.C.L.U. wrestles with its role
The American Civil Liberties Union has been under severe duress, including death threats and hate mail. Since Charlottesville, it has wrestled with a recurring challenge: how to pursue its First Amendment advocacy, even for hate-based groups.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

ACLU Speaker shouted down at Williams & Mary
Protests by the Black Lives Matter chapter at the College of William & Mary successfully shut down a talk by an American Civil Liberties Union representative.
INSIDE HIGHER ED

The NFL and the First Amendment: A Guide to the Debate
By calling for players to be fired Trump is expressing his point of view. But his comments raise the question: Can the NFL fire players for protesting? Well, yes, but it is unlikely. Here is a guide to understanding where the First Amendment applies.
THE WASHINGTON POST

 
Global

US Lawmakers eye more support for US Int’l Broadcasters as Russia probe continues
“A free press is … absolutely necessary to counter an increasingly bold Vladimir Putin.” As Moscow’s propaganda efforts targeting Americans are under scrutiny by Congress, some lawmakers are pushing for increased support for U.S. government-funded broadcasting in Russia.
VOICE OF AMERICA

Ukraine expels second Russian journalist in recent weeks
Ukraine expelled a Russian TV journalist, who is accused of “spreading Russian propaganda” and delivering “deceitful, anti-Ukrainian” reports from areas that are held by Russia-backed separatists.
RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY

Canada passes law to protect whistleblowers and journalists’ confidential sources
The government passed a new press shield law, The Journalistic Source Protection Act, to protect journalists—and their anonymous sources—from search warrants and police surveillance. It was first introduced after news broke that Quebec and Montreal police had been spying on journalists to find the sources of embarrassing leaks.
VICE NEWS

‘New internet’ looks to keep user data away from tech giants and bypass China censorship
A Hong Kong-based software engineer is doing his bit to develop a decentralized internet said to offer users complete control over their personal information, in contrast to the conventional internet which stores users’ information in centralized servers—making it vulnerable to theft by cyberattack.
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

DARE is a project of PEN America’s #LouderTogether campaign, bringing you a daily-curated roundup of the most important free expression-related news from the U.S. and abroad. Send your feedback and story suggestions to [email protected]