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Republican Sen. John McCain condemns President Trump’s “unrelenting attacks” on U.S. journalists for giving “cover” for repressive regimes to do the same. Most members of the National Parks System Advisory Board resign in protest of Trump administration policies they say ignore science. The House-passed extension of warrantless surveillance moves toward Senate approval. Nearly two dozen state attorneys general have filed suits challenging the FCC rollback of net neutrality rules. -Dru Menaker, Chief Operating Officer

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

U.S.

John McCain: Mr. President, stop attacking the press
“[The President] has threatened to continue his attempt to discredit the free press by bestowing “fake news awards” upon reporters and news outlets whose coverage he disagrees with. Whether Trump knows it or not, these efforts are being closely watched by foreign leaders who are already using his words as cover as they silence and shutter one of the key pillars of democracy.”
WASHINGTON POST

Citing ‘Inexcusable’ Treatment, Advisers Quit National Parks Panel
The majority of members of the National Parks System Advisory Board, which advises the federal government on management of the country’s national parks, have jointly resigned to protest Trump administration policies that the board members say have ignored science, squelched efforts to address climate change, and undermined environmental protections.
NEW YORK TIMES

Senate, Rebuffing Privacy Concerns, Clears Path to Extend Surveillance Law
The vote centered on a law known as Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act. It permits the government to, without a warrant, collect from American companies, like AT&T and Google, the emails, phone calls, text messages, and other communications of foreigners abroad who have been targeted for intelligence surveillance—even when they communicate with Americans.
NEW YORK TIMES

22 attorneys general sue to block net neutrality rollback
In the first high-profile attempt to block the FCC’s rollback of net neutrality rules through the courts, 22 attorneys general have filed a lawsuit challenging the agency’s repeal plan. Led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the petition asks a court to find that the FCC’s plan runs afoul of federal law.
THE VERGE

 
Global

Russian film stars offer support to director in fraud case *PEN Case List
Kirill Serebrennikov is accused of embezzling government funds allocated to his Platforma theatre project. A Moscow court on Tuesday extended his house arrest, which he has been under since August, until April 19.
THE GUARDIAN

House body wants amendment to free speech
Free speech in the Philippines is no longer absolute under a constitutional amendment proposed by a group of lawmakers; they want to protect only the “responsible exercise” of free speech and expression as there has been “so much abuse” of this provision.
CNN PHILIPPINES

Historian Beevor Bemused At Ukraine Ban On Best-Selling ‘Stalingrad’
British historian and best-selling author Antony Beevor says he is dumbfounded at Ukrainian authorities’ decision to ban the import of a Russian translation of his award-winning account of a major tipping point in World War II.
RADIO FREE EUROPE

‘Alternative facts’ named Germany’s ‘un-word’ of 2017
German linguists selected a phrase popularized by White House counselor Kellyanne Conway—“alternative facts”—as the most offensive word of 2017. The panel of linguists who picked the “Un-word of the Year” said in their announcement that the phrase is a “disguised and misleading term for the attempt to make false claims acceptable as a legitimate means for public debate.”
POLITICO

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