The battle over the next Supreme Court justice is joined.‎ Trump’s administration gives CNN the cold shoulder. Lawsuits targeting the immigration ban mount, and the White House has called the so-called “Muslim ban” a ban. -Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director

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

U.S.

White House ices out CNN
The White House has refused to send its spokespeople or surrogates onto CNN shows, effectively icing out the network from on-air administration voices.
POLITICO

FCC Head will Defend “Free and Open Internet” Despite Trump’s Opposition
Ajit Pai, Donald Trump’s pick to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is a critic of the Net Neutrality rules the agency passed two years ago.
REASON

Bipartisan Concern On NDAs For Congressional Staff Working On Travel Ban
Members and former staff say the reported move to have congressional staff sign nondisclosure agreements is unprecedented and warn that it could represent a breach of the separation of powers.
BUZZFEED

In Judge Neil Gorsuch, an Echo of Scalia in Philosophy and Style
President Trump, in nominating Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, has chosen a judge who not only admires the justice he would replace, but also in many ways resembles him.
NEW YORK TIMES

How Trump Has Taken Away Our Homes
We wrote this together because we have a few things in common. One thing that we share is less obvious: This anger and despair make both of us feel as if we are losing our home.
NEW YORK TIMES

 
Global

Bangladesh booksellers warned not to offend Muslims
Bangladesh’s largest book fair began in Dhaka on Wednesday, February 1, with police warning organizers against selling books that hurt “religious sentiment” in the Muslim-majority country.
RAPPLER

Thailand charter writers oppose press ‘reform’ attempt
A controversial bill to regulate the media industry proposed by the National Reform Steering Assembly media reform panel could breach the new constitution which supports media self-regulation and independence from state control.
BANGKOK POST

Journalist Ahmed Abba a victim of Cameroon’s war on terror
For 18 months, Abba has been in prison awaiting a verdict on his military trial.
NEWS 24

Freed Pakistani bloggers go abroad for safety
Two Pakistani bloggers freed after vanishing earlier this month have now left the country because of safety fears following a virulent media campaign painting them as blasphemers, relatives said Monday.
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

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]