Reporting at a Crossroads: National Security, Democracy, and the Challenges to a Free Press
May 18 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
A free and independent press has long been understood as a core element of healthy and secure democracies. Particularly in the realm of national security and foreign policy, news reporting and investigations are an integral source of information that enables the American public to evaluate the decisions of their elected officials. Yet today the press is facing new or newly acute challenges arising from the executive branch, Congress, and even the media industry itself—all unfolding against the backdrop of an already-siloed and mistrustful information landscape.
What is it like to lead a newsroom and report on national security issues today? Which legal issues are top of mind for media and free speech lawyers and scholars? What are the most pressing challenges and opportunities? Please join the Reiss Center on Law and Security and Just Security for a discussion with frontline experts.
Event Details
Monday, May 18, 2026
1:00–2:00 p.m. EST
Virtual Event
Register Here
Speakers
- Rebecca Hamilton, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law
- David McCraw, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, The New York Times
- Ben Pauker, National Security Editor, The Washington Post
- Nancy Youssef, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
- Kate Brannen (Moderator), Non-Resident Journalism Fellow, Reiss Center on Law and Security