The Free Flow — May 8, 2025
Trump targets pro-Palestinian students and public media, Russian disinformation campaigns fall flat, Colorado enacts AI law without changes, and more.
First of All
» Trump Administration Seeks to Block Release of Detained Pro-Palestinian Students
The U.S. Department of Justice requested a federal appeals court to pause orders requiring Tufts University’s Rumeysa Ozturk to be released from detention and allowing Columbia University’s Mohsen Mahdawi's release last week.
Context:
As reported in previous Free Flows, Ozturk, a Turkish national, was detained in March and transferred to Louisiana after co-authoring a campus op-ed critical of Tufts’ stance on divestment and the Gaza conflict.
Mahdawi, a Palestinian born in a West Bank refugee camp, was arrested while attending a U.S. citizenship interview.
The Second Circuit panel expressed skepticism over the government’s sweeping claim that immigration law precludes judicial review of allegedly retaliatory detentions.
» Trump Administration Cuts Funding for NPR and PBS
An executive order, signed on May 1, 2025, directs the immediate cessation of all federal funding, both direct and indirect, for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.
Context:
The order argues that public broadcasting is no longer necessary in today’s diverse media environment and accuses NPR and PBS of failing to provide “fair, accurate, or unbiased coverage.
This follows previous orders targeting the funds of other public broadcasters, like Voice of America.
The CPS has filed a lawsuit against President Trump after he attempted to fire three of its board members days before ordering funding cuts, arguing the administration acted without statutory authority.
» U.S. Appeals Court Halts Order to Reinstate Voice of America Staff and Programming
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a district judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to restore Voice of America operations and reinstate more than 1,000 employees.
Details:
After a March executive order abruptly placed over 1,000 employees on leave and terminated hundreds of contractors, a U.S. District judge ruled the administration must resume VOA broadcasting, reinstate affected staff, and restore $15 million in grants for Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
The U.S. Court of Appeals suggested the Judge may have lacked jurisdiction to mandate reinstatements and grant restorations.
District Judge Cornelia Pillard warned the ruling could effectively “silence Voice of America for the foreseeable future” and cripple related networks before the case is resolved.
» Harvard President Calls Threat to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status ‘Highly Illegal’ Days Before Federal Grants Halted
Harvard University President Alan Garber warned that President Trump’s threat to revoke the school’s tax-exempt status is both “highly illegal” and a dangerous precedent.
Background:
Trump posted on Truth Social that his administration would move to revoke Harvard’s nonprofit status, part of a broader campaign targeting elite universities. The IRS has not confirmed any formal review or audit of the institution.
As reported in a previous Free Flow, Harvard filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating its constitutional rights by freezing federal funds and threatening its academic independence.
Context:
Garber’s comments come days before the U.S. Department of Education formally cut off all new federal grants to Harvard University, escalating the high-profile standoff.
Education Secretary Lina McMahon issued a public letter accusing Harvard of undermining academic standards, violating federal law, including the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ruling, and permitting antisemitism to go unchecked on campus.
The Digital Age
» Russian Disinformation Campaigns Leave No Substantial Impact
A sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign known as Operation Overload has used AI-manipulated voices, forged logos, and faked headlines to impersonate experts, journalists, and public institutions in a bid to undermine support for Ukraine and destabilize democracies.
Actual Impact:
The campaign, active across X, Telegram, and Bluesky, posted 135 deceptive videos and messages in Q1 2025, targeting 10 countries and impersonating more than 80 institutions. Its narratives focus on discrediting Ukraine, spreading election disinformation in Europe, and eroding trust in NATO, media, and academia.
However, most engagement with the AI-generated lies came from a bot network likely purchased through a commercial firm, and only one post actually went viral, attracting just over 4 million views.
The campaign also overwhelms journalists, researchers, and institutions with debunking requests, diverting attention from more credible threats.
Global Context:
This data comes as Romania braces itself for a fresh wave of online disinformation ahead of its May 18, 2025, presidential election after the previous election was annulled following evidence of Russian interference.
It also follows a warning from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël that Russian disinformation campaigns targeting France’s 2024 elections are “a significant threat to the digital public debate” in France and across Europe.
After widespread electricity blackouts in Spain and Portugal, EU officials are calling for stronger foreign disinformation controls despite reports that the blackouts were not a cyberattack but an infrastructure failure.
» Colorado’s AI Disclosure Law to Take Effect Without Revisions
A last-minute attempt to delay or revise Colorado’s first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence law has failed, leaving Senate Bill 205 set to take effect in February 2026 as originally planned.
Details:
The law requires companies to disclose when AI is used in consequential decisions, such as those involving employment, loans, or housing, and mandates mechanisms for consumer redress.
A follow-up bill seeking to delay implementation and ease burdens on small businesses was shelved after a lack of consensus between the tech industry, consumer advocates, and lawmakers.
» Texas Advances Bill to Ban Minors from Social Media
House Bill 186, recently passed by the Texas House and now headed to the Senate, would require social media companies to verify users’ ages, prohibit minors from creating social media accounts, allow parents to request deletion of minors’ accounts, and impose penalties on companies that fail to comply.
The bill applies broadly, without distinctions for educational, religious, or nonprofit uses of digital platforms. If enacted, Texas would become the first U.S. state to impose a full ban on social media use by minors.
Context:
This comes amid a lawsuit against Georgia over SB 351, which would require parental consent for minors under 16 to use social media platforms, making it the 8th state sued over similar legislation.
» Leaked Docs Reveal Meta’s AI Is Constrained on Controversial Speech
Internal training documents show how Meta, via contractor Scale AI, instructs testers to walk a fine line between making chatbots engaging while strictly controlling responses on sensitive topics.
Details: Leaked materials from Scale AI, a firm working with Meta on reinforcement learning from human feedback, outline how testers are asked to evaluate and shape Meta’s AI responses to prompts from Facebook and Instagram users.
"Tier one" prompts are rejected outright for involving hate speech, child exploitation, or explicit content (e.g., roleplay based on Lolita).
"Tier two" content, such as anti-vaccine misinformation or gender identity issues, is flagged for cautious review but not automatically blocked.
Romantic or “flirty” interactions are allowed if they remain non-sexual—a move to humanize AI while avoiding explicit engagement.
» Maryland Lawmakers Push for Deepfake Laws to Combat Defamation and Deception
The Maryland General Assembly is considering new laws that would criminalize deepfakes, particularly those designed to defame individuals or deceive voters.
House Bill 1425: Would make AI impersonation or false depiction of another person to defraud or cause harm a felony, and empower victims to seek swift civil injunctions to halt distribution.
Senate Bill 361: Aimed to amend Maryland’s election laws to prohibit AI impersonation of political candidates, mirroring efforts in over 20 other states. The bill failed to pass this session.
» Pakistan Entrapment Network Weaponizes Cybercrime and Blasphemy Laws Against Youth:
An investigation by Fact Focus reveals a disturbing pattern in Pakistan where over 400 young Muslims, mostly from lower-income backgrounds, have been targeted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the country’s blasphemy laws, often punishable by death.
These prosecutions are largely fueled by a “blasphemy business” group operating in collusion with officials from the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crimes Wing.
Details:
A January 2024 Special Branch report confirmed the existence of a “blasphemy business” gang that collaborates with the FIA and uses women posing as recruiters or romantic interests to lure youth into viewing or resharing blasphemous content on Facebook or WhatsApp, which is later used against them.
In one documented case, a student was promised a job, invited to Islamabad, and then handed over to the FIA after being tortured and falsely accused.
Cybercrime Case Surge Under PECA:
This comes amidst a marked surge in cybercrime cases targeting online speech, particularly criticism of powerful state institutions, after amendments to PECA that have expanded the scope of who can file complaints.
In just 24 hours under PECA, Lahore police registered 23 cases, primarily due to online commentary about the army chief and Punjab’s chief minister.
Prominent journalist and Raftar CEO Farjan Mallick was arrested on March 20, 2025, under the Act over alleged anti-state content on his YouTube Channel.
Other journalists have also faced arrests, bank account seizures, and federal revenue notices in the absence of transparent legal justification
» India Blocks 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels Following Pahalgam Attack
In the aftermath of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of spreading disinformation and inciting communal tension.
Details:
Major news outlets affected include Dawn News, Geo News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, and Suno News.
The YouTube notices to channel owners cited “national security or public order” without specific legal provisions or content references.
Pakistan’s government has not yet issued an official response. Meanwhile, India has also reportedly blocked the Pakistani government's official X account.
Context:
The Ministry’s decision follows reports of viral misinformation following the attack on X, including videos falsely claiming to show Pakistani retaliation or downed Indian fighter jets.
» CCIA Submits Amicus Brief to Protect Email Providers
In an amicus brief filed in RNC v. Google, CCIA urged the Ninth Circuit to affirm that email services like Gmail engage in protected editorial discretion akin to social media platforms.
The Case:
The Republican National Committee sued Google, alleging its spam filtering system disproportionately flagged RNC fundraising emails.
The Brief:
The brief argues that email spam filtering is inherently expressive, entailing decisions about which messages users see, similar to content moderation on social platforms.
» Florida’s Controversial Social Media Law Returns to Court
A federal judge has once again heard arguments on the constitutionality of Florida’s 2021 law restricting content moderation on major social media platforms, legislation passed after Facebook and Twitter banned then-President Donald Trump. This case has been remanded back to district courts by the Supreme Court in Moody v NetChoice.
Details:
The law prevents platforms from deplatforming political candidates and mandates consistent moderation standards.
It targets platforms with $100 million in annual revenue or 100 million users and imposes significant fines for violations.
Judge Robert Hinkle, who previously blocked the law, affirmed that social media content curation is protected expression under the First Amendment. The state conceded parts of the law but is still seeking dismissal.
» Press Crackdown in Benin Intensifies as Parliament Considers Digital Code Reform
A wave of suspensions targeting independent media outlets in Benin comes as lawmakers debate reforms to the country’s Digital Code, which has reportedly been used to justify censorship and suppress critical reporting.
Targeting Independent Media Outlets:
Since January 2025, Benin’s media regulator, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communications, has suspended two newspapers, three websites, and a TikTok-based news outlet.
Notably, Le Patriote and its website were sanctioned after publishing an editorial critical of the government’s handling of a military incident. Bénin Web TV was suspended in March over alleged inaccuracies in coverage of HAAC’s internal affairs, and its director’s press card was revoked.
Digital Code:
Critics say the Digital Code enables arbitrary censorship under the guise of preventing “false information’ or “unauthorized” journalism, and HAAC’s actions ignore international standards. Article 550 of the Code allows prison terms for electronic communication offenses.
The Brussels Effect: Europe and Beyond
» German Intelligence Retreats from AfD Extremist Label
Yesterday, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency suspended its unprecedented move to label a major political party as extremist while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Background:
On May 2, 2025, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) declared the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) a confirmed extremist group, a historic first for a party with seats in the Bundestag. The designation would have expanded surveillance powers, including the use of informants.
The BfV cited a 1,000-page internal report and “definitive evidence” that the AfD aims to undermine Germany’s democratic order.
The announcement sparked an urgent legal challenge from the AfD, which accused the government of politically motivated timing as it exited office.
Legal Reversal:
On May 8, 2025, the BfV informed a Cologne court that it would pause the extremist classification during ongoing litigation, downgrading AfD to a “suspected case.”
This softer classification still permits surveillance but under more rigorous judicial scrutiny.
Press Freedom:
Montana Enacts Anti-SLAPP Protections: Earlier this week, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 292, a sweeping Anti-SLAPP measure that enables early dismissal of meritless lawsuits intended to suppress speech, pauses discovery while court review dismissal motions, and requires plaintiffs to cover defendants’ legal fees if the suit is thrown out.
New Jersey Anti-SLAPP Law Clears Federal Court Hurdle: Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb ruled that New Jersey’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, the state’s Anti-SLAPP law, can be applied in federal court, including its fee-shifting provisions. Judge Bumb held that while one UPEPA provision may differ from federal procedural rules, the core mechanisms for early dismissal and awarding attorney fees align with Federal Rules 12 and 56.
Russian Journalist Escapes House Arrest, Flees to Paris: Prominent Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash, a vocal critic of the war in Ukraine, resurfaced in Paris after escaping from house arrest in Moscow this April. She had faced a 10-year prison sentence for Facebook posts condemning Russia’s invasion.
Protest Watch:
Michigan Drops Felony Charges Against Pro-Palestinian Student Protesters: On May 5, 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dropped all charges against seven University of Michigan students who were arrested during a May 2024 pro-Palestinian protest. Nessel maintained the students were guilty, but said continuing the case was not a prudent use of state resources.
UK Loses Case to Expand Police Powers: The UK Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that found the government had unlawfully redefined the threshold for when police can limit protests. The case focused on a statutory instrument introduced by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman that granted police wide discretion to curtail protests deemed disruptive, even arresting climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Hundreds Arrested in Turkey May Day Protests: Turkish authorities deployed 50,000 police officers across Istanbul on May 1, 2025, detaining at least 382 people and effectively sealing off Taksim Square, a traditional protest site that has been off-limits since 2013. Authorities used preemptive detentions and force to prevent demonstrations on International Workers’ Day, with reports of torture and mistreatment during arrests.
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at Dutch WWII Liberation Event: On May 5, 2025, Dutch police arrested five pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a World War II anniversary ceremony in Wageningen, citing “disturbing public order.”
Quick Hits:
Tennessee’s PEACE ACT Draws Free Speech Concerns Despite Amendments: Tennessee’s proposed Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism (PEACE) Act, aimed at curbing hate-driven conduct, could unlawfully criminalize protected speech. The bill adds enhanced penalties for acts of littering or trespassing committed with the intent to “intimidate,” grants the police power to impose 25-foot buffer zones in specific public safety situations, and bans signage on overpasses and bridges.
Texas Law Targets Teachers and Librarians for “Harmful” Books: Texas lawmakers have passed SB 412, a bill that exposes teachers, librarians, and even parents to criminal prosecution for providing minors with books deemed “harmful,” even when such materials are part of a formal instruction.
EU to Regulate ChatGPT Under The DSA?: According to an exclusive report from MLex, the EU Commission is currently considering whether to designate ChatGPT as a "systemic platform" that could be regulated under the Digital Services Act since it now has web searching functionality and is nearing 45 million monthly active users in the EU.
Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Defenders Detention Over Facebook Post Extended: Kyrgyzstan civic leader and human rights defender Rita Karasartova was detained on April 14, 2025, after law enforcement raided her home in Bishkek. The charges allege she incited unrest following her public sharing of a letter from an exiled activist on Facebook. Critics report procedural violations, including the extension of her pre-trial detention until June 12, 2025.
Texas State Troopers Question Protestor Arrests at UT Austin: After a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin in April 2024, in which 57 protestors were arrested for criminal trespassing, a newly surfaced audio recording reveals Texas state troopers expressing uncertainty about the legal basis for the arrests. All charges have been dropped for lack of probable cause, and four students have filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful arrest and retaliation.
Russia Freezes Assets of Dissident Blogger: A Moscow court has frozen the bank accounts of Ilya Varlamov, one of Russia’s most well-known bloggers, who frequently criticizes the Kremlin. Varlamov was labeled a “foreign agent” in March 2023 and has since faced administrative fines and now criminal charges for allegedly evading “foreign agent” responsibilities.
Political Satire Exhibition in Kingston Pulled Over ‘Offensiveness’ Concerns: A London venue has cancelled a planned exhibition of political cartoons hours after its private viewing, citing fears the content might be “too offensive” or “too political” for a professional workspace. The License to Offend exhibitions were to showcase work from renowned British cartoonists across the political spectrum, celebrating satire’s role in democratic discourse.
Czech Foreign Ministry Launches Anti-Disinformation Campaign Featuring Bullets Labeled ‘Words’: The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a new public manual warning citizens about Kremlin-backed disinformation. The campaign visualizes words as literal weapons, including bullets labeled “slova” (words) and a tank firing letters.
Correction: A previous section of this article was titled “UK Appeal Court Strikes Down Anti-Protest Law.” It has since been updated to reflect appropriate terminology under English administrative law. The revised headline, “UK Loses Case to Expand Police Powers,” more accurately reflects the Court of Appeal’s ruling that the secondary legislation is invalid.
An earlier version also stated that German intelligence had formally classified the AfD party as an “extremist organization.” The article has since been updated to clarify that while German intelligence has pursued this classification, its formal application has been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.
Hirad Mirami is a research assistant at The Future of Free Speech and a student at the University of Chicago studying economics and history. Ashley Haek is a communications coordinator at The Future of Free Speech.