The Free Flow — July 24, 2025
Trump sues The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion, Iran moves to criminalize "fake news," Russia advances bill punishing online searches for "extremist" content, and more.
Quick Announcement: The 2025 Global Free Speech Summit returns on October 3–4 in Nashville, TN. Hosted by The Future of Free Speech and Vanderbilt University, this invite-only event will bring together global leaders, thinkers, and change-makers to confront the most urgent threats to freedom of expression and explore bold, resilient solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend networking receptions where they can exchange ideas with speakers and other guests.
Seats are limited, but we invite you to request an invitation here.
This Week At A Glance
— 🇺🇲 Trump Sues WSJ for $10 Billion Over Article Alleging Epstein Ties
— 🇮🇷 Iran Moves to Criminalize “False News” in Sweeping Post-War Crackdown
— 🇷🇺 Russia Advances Bill Punishing Online Searches for “Extremist” Content
— 🇫🇷 French President Macron and Wife Sue Candace Owens for Defamation
— 🇵🇰 Pakistan Court Order Probes Into Blasphemy Law Abuse
First of All 🇺🇲
» Trump Sues WSJ $10 Billion Over Article Alleging Epstein Ties
President Donald Trump filed a libel lawsuit seeking at least $10 billion in damages and a jury trial less than 24 hours after The Wall Street Journal published an article about a 2003 letter he allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein containing a drawing of a naked woman.
The Lawsuit:
The 18-page complaint was filed against the WSJ, its parent company, News Corp., two reporters, and executives, including Rupert Murdoch.
“The supposed letter is a fake and the Defendants knew it when they chose to deliberately defame President Trump,” the lawsuit says.
At the same time, the WSJ maintains they have “full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting.”
Another Media Attack: This move continues Trump’s pattern of aggressive legal action against major media outlets, which resulted in a $16 million settlement from CBS and a $15 million settlement from ABC, as reported in past Free Flows.
» Columbia Pays $200M to Restore Federal Funding After Antisemitism Probe
Columbia University has agreed to pay $200 million to the U.S. government and codify changes it had previously agreed to concerning campus safety, discipline, and inclusion to restore a vast majority of federal grants that had been paused or terminated.
Background: In March, the Trump administration said it would cancel $400 million of the university’s grants over its alleged “inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students,” which it said violates anti-discrimination laws.
The Settlement:
The university will accept an independent monitor to oversee compliance with federal laws and regulations governing admissions, hiring, and international students.
It will also pay $21 million to settle an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Columbia maintained in its statement that the agreement does not grant the government authority to dictate hiring, admissions decisions, or academic speech.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warned that Columbia’s requirement for “students commit to vague goals like ‘equality and respect’ leaves far too much room for abuse, just like the civility oaths, DEI statements, and other types of compelled speech.”
» Harvard v. Trump Admin: Lawsuits, Investigations, and Self-Censorship
A legal and political storm is brewing between the Trump administration and Harvard University, as both sides escalate battles over academic freedom, free speech, and immigration enforcement.
Harvard sues Trump administration over $2B funding freeze, citing First Amendment violations:
In federal court, Harvard challenged the Trump administration’s move to cut $2 billion in research funding, arguing the punishment was based on protected speech and “arbitrary” claims of antisemitism on campus.
A judge questioned the administration’s rationale, warning of a dangerous precedent if contracts could be voided based on a university’s political viewpoint.
State Department investigates Harvard’s visa sponsorships
The Trump administration launched a sweeping probe into Harvard’s participation in the J-1 visa program, demanding records and interviews with staff and international students.
Harvard labeled the inquiry “retaliatory” and a violation of its First Amendment rights, as federal officials cited broad foreign policy concerns and campus protest activity as grounds for visa revocations.
AAUP lawsuit targets ‘ideological deportations’
The American Association of University Professors, including its Harvard chapters, sued the federal government, alleging pro-Palestinian noncitizen students were targeted for arrest and deportation based on their political beliefs.
While the Trump administration denied the existence of such a policy, evidence revealed that officials used Canary Mission, a pro-Israel doxxing website, to flag protestors, prompting visa revocations with minimal review.
Harvard journal cancels Palestine-themed issue amid pressure
The Harvard Educational Review abruptly pulled a special issue on Palestine, officially citing “copy-editing issues” and editorial disputes.
But editors and contributors believe the real motive was political pressure, particularly the Trump administration’s aggressive scrutiny of Harvard over alleged antisemitism and campus activism.
» Federal Judge Blocks Part of Tennessee Abortion Law on First Amendment Grounds
On July 18, a federal court permanently blocked enforcement of a Tennessee law that criminalizes “recruiting” or transporting minors for an illegal abortion without parental consent.
Details:
The lawsuit was filed by State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and family law attorney Rachel Welty, arguing that the law’s phrasing, including the term “recruit,” is not defined in the Tennessee state code and could be used to infringe on First Amendment rights.
The Senior Sixth Circuit Judge Julia Gibbons agreed, ruling the provision unconstitutional. Gibbons' opinion stated “public advocacy, information sharing, and counseling” that informs adults and minors where they can receive out-of-state abortions is protected speech.
» Federal Judge Rules that Trump’s ICC Sanctions Order Likely Violates First Amendment
A federal judge ruled that a Trump executive order threatening penalties against people who work with the International Criminal Court likely violated the First Amendment.
However, Judge Nancy Torrensen only paused the order for the two plaintiffs in the case, reflecting the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against the use of nationwide injunctions.
Details:
The executive order would penalize anyone who provided “funds, goods, or services” to the International Criminal Court.
Plaintiffs Matthew Smith and Akila Radhakrishnan claim the order forced them to halt their work on investigations by the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
Using the order, the administration has imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, Prosecutor Karim Khan, and Special UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
» Cruz Bill Seeks Penalties for Funders of Anti-ICE and Gaza War Protests
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the STOP FUNDERs Act, which would identify and penalize organizations and individuals allegedly funding and directing anti-ICE and Gaza War protests deemed as “extreme.”
Details:
The legislation would empower the Department of Justice to use the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which allows prosecution for organized crime affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to issue enhanced penalties to protest funders and coordinators.
Cruz said every American has the right to free speech, but that "Domestic NGOs and foreign adversaries fund and use riots in the United States to undermine the security and prosperity of Americans.”
The Digital Age 🤖
» X Responds to French Accusations of Data Tampering
In last week’s Free Flow, we detailed France’s criminal probe into X over the social media platform’s alleged algorithm manipulation and data fraud.
X has denied the allegations and accused the authorities’ investigation of being “politically motivated.”
Platform’s Response: In a statement from its Global Government Affairs team, X said that it “remains in the dark” about the specifics of the claims and warned that the investigation was “distorting French law to serve a political agenda.”
» U.S. Revokes Visas of Brazilian Judge Over Social Media Censorship
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an order to revoke the visas of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his immediate family members, and allies on the court, over censorship campaigns targeting former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Details:
In the announcement, Rubio said Moraes’ actions target not only Brazilians but also Americans.
The move follows Brazil’s restrictions on Bolsonaro, including a social media ban and the use of an ankle monitor.
U.S. Lawsuit:
As reported in the Free Flow, Rumble, a U.S.-backed social media company that was suspended in Brazil for failing to censor pro-Bolsonaro content, along with Truth Social, filed an amended lawsuit last week in a U.S. federal court against a Brazilian judge.
The companies are suing Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who issued a court order compelling the platforms to censor a U.S. political commentator.
» Federal Court Allows Mississippi to Enforce Social Media Age Verification Law
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court injunction that blocked the enforcement of a Mississippi law mandating age verification for social media users and parental consent for minors.
Next Steps
NetChoice, a tech trade group, filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block the law from taking effect.
NetChoice argues that the law infringes upon user privacy and constitutes a violation of constitutionally protected speech.
» Iran Moves To Criminalize ‘False News’ in Sweeping Post-War Crackdown
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has introduced an urgent bill that would criminalize the dissemination of digital content deemed “false or misleading.”
Details:
The proposed law introduces penalties, including prison sentences, fines, and bans on media activity, for individuals found guilty of spreading disinformation.
Harsher penalties would be applied if the content is shared by those with public influence, including celebrities, officials, and online personalities.
The use of fake accounts, bots, or automation to publish content would also be criminalized.
The bill has been rushed through, skipping certain committee procedures so it could be debated within 72 hours of its proposal.
» Russia Advances Bill Punishing Online Searches For ‘Extremist’ Content
On July 22, Russia’s lower house passed a new bill fining citizens for “deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials” online.
Details:
The bill also contained a ban on VPN advertisements and fines for VPNs that fail to comply with government regulations.
The official definition of extremist activity includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation and the international LGBT movement.”
Several lawmakers, activists, and even pro-Kremlin figures—including Russia Today (RT) head Margarita Simonyan—have condemned the bill.
Dmitry Kisiev, the campaign manager of former presidential candidate Boris Nadezhdin, was detained on Tuesday for protesting this law.
» China Shuts Down OnlyFans Access, Escalating Crackdown on ‘Western Degeneracy’
China has shut down the UK-based adult content platform OnlyFans as a part of Beijing’s widening effort to purge “immoral and degenerate Western influence” from its online space.
Details:
While the app was never officially available in China, creators and users accessed it through VPNs and third-party payment systems. That access is now fully blocked.
The OnlyFans ban fits into a long-running state campaign against online pornography and “hypersexualized” content.
Despite the ban, Chinese creators are reportedly shifting to alternatives such as Fansnub, Weimiquan, and Zhihu’s “fan club” features, although access to these remains uncertain.
» TikTok Removes Nearly 25 Million Videos in Pakistan Over Content Violations
TikTok’s latest Q1 community guidelines enforcement report indicates that Pakistan had the highest number of video removals globally, with 24,954,128 videos taken down for violating content regulations.
Details:
The data shows TikTok had a 99.4% proactive removal rate, meaning the company was able to remove almost all violative videos before users were able to report them.
The removals stem from violations ranging from hate speech and graphic content to misinformation.
Context:
Pakistan has previously banned TikTok four times, all occurring between October 2020 and November 2021, after it cited concerns over indecent and harmful content, particularly for youth.
The Senate has introduced a bill that would ban social media for all users under the age of 16.
The Brussels Effect: Europe and Beyond 🇪🇺
» French President and Wife Sue Candace Owens for ‘Relentless Bullying’
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a U.S. defamation lawsuit over controversial right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, after she claimed Brigitte “is in fact a man.”
Details:
After the release of an eight-part series, Becoming Brigitte, the Macrons say they suffered “substantial reputational damage” from Owens’ claims that Brigitte was born male, the pair were blood relatives, and Emmanuel was part of a CIA human experiment.
Because the lawsuit was filed in a U.S. court, the French president and his wife will have to prove “actual malice,” or that Owens knew the information was false or had a reckless disregard for the truth.
Previously, President Macron sued a French artist who portrayed him as Hitler on posters critical of his COVID-19 policies.
» Bosnia’s ‘Foreign Agent Law’ Threatens Independent Media
After the Republika Srpska National Assembly passed a law in February requiring media outlets with foreign funding to register as “foreign agents,” the law is now under review by the Bosnian Constitutional Court.
Details:
Under the law, any organization or outlet that receives foreign support and is interpreted as engaging in “political activity” must submit financial disclosures and identify all its work as the product of a foreign agent.
Several journalists have already reported increased monitoring, threats, and administrative pressure.
Big Picture:
The legislation follows the recriminalization of defamation, which has resulted in over 35 journalists being criminally charged.
It is reportedly modelled after Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation, which has inspired similar rules in Hungary, Georgia, and Slovakia, as detailed in a previous Free Flow.
Press Freedom Watch 🗞️
Trump’s Lawsuit Against Journalist Dismissed: A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s $50 million lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward for publishing the audiobook “The Trump Tapes.” The audiobook includes taped interviews from 2019 and 2020 that were included in Woodard’s best-selling book “Rage.” The court ruled Trump did not have a copyright interest in his responses, but gave him until August 18 to amend his complaint on state-law claims, which pre-empted federal copyright law.
Top News Agencies Warn Gaza Journalists Face Starvation: BBC, AFP, Reuters, and AP issued a rare joint statement urging Israel to allow press access in and out of Gaza, warning that local journalists are “increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families” amid the ongoing blockade and humanitarian crisis. Freelance reporters said they are collapsing from hunger, and AFP has asked for immediate evacuations of its Gaza contributors.
Two journalists Arrested While Covering Cincinnati Protest: Covington police arrested two Cincinnati CityBeat reporters during a protest on the Roebling Bridge. At least 13 people were arrested at the protest that authorities say blocked a lane of traffic.
Malawi Decriminalizes Defamation: In a landmark ruling, Malawi’s Constitutional Court declared a section of the Malawi Penal Code criminalizing defamation unconstitutional. “The threat of imprisonment under section 200 has a chilling effect on public discourse and democratic participation,” the court said.
Judge Issues Restraining Order Against LAPD to Protect Journalists: A U.S. district judge has issued a 14-day restraining order against the Los Angeles Police Department, prohibiting the department from detaining, restricting access to, and using projectiles against reporters. The decision was made following a lawsuit filed by the LA Press Club and investigative outlet Status Coup over attacks on journalists covering protests, as previously reported on The Free Flow.
Quick Hits 💨
German Court Rules Ban on Glasgow University Rector’s Speech was Unlawful: A Berlin administrative court ruled Germany’s ban on political activity by Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and a British Palestinian surgeon, was unlawful and disproportionate. Abu-Sittah was scheduled to speak at a conference in Berlin to give testimony about his experience working in Gaza hospitals, but was detained by police on his arrival in Germany, as reported in a previous Free Flow.
Human Rights Group Leaves El Salvador Amid Repression: Cristosal, a prominent human rights organization in El Salvador, shut down local operations, citing government harassment, a harsh new foreign agents law, and “the weakening of institutional independence” Cristosal claims the government engaged in continued intimidation tactics, such as legal harassment, surveillance of both the organization's activities and employees' residences, and various administrative impediments.
China Warns Comedians Against Gender Jokes That ‘Stir Discord’: Authorities in Zhejiang province issued new guidance urging comedians to avoid framing gender issues as “opposition between men and women,” following a viral set by comic Fan Chunli about her abusive marriage in iQiyi’s “The King of Stand Up Comedy.” In a WeChat article, Zhejiang’s publicity department urged performers to offer “constructive criticism” rather than rely on “gender opposition” for the sake of being funny.
Pakistan Court Orders Probe into Blasphemy Law Abuse: The Islamabad High Court has ordered a federal investigation into the widespread misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, citing a scheme in which fake charges were used to extort and silence victims, as previously reported in The Free Flow. The federal government must form a commission in the next 30 days to conduct a four-month investigation.
Kentucky School District Settles Free Speech Lawsuit for $30K: Pulaski County Schools agreed to pay school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis $30,000 and adopt new social media policies after blocking him for criticizing the district’s stance on a 2024 school choice amendment.
Ava Sjursen is a communications intern at The Future of Free Speech and a student at Boston College studying communications and political science.
Ashley Haek is a communications coordinator and research assistant at The Future of Free Speech.
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