In this episode of the Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra and producer Aly Honoré take a step back from the headlines to explore what they reveal about the state of American democracy, culture, and free speech. 

From the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live and mass doxing campaigns reminiscent of McCarthyism, to the militarization of cities and the campaign to “Free Ben & Jerry’s,” these stories are more than isolated flashpoints. Together, they paint a troubling picture of democratic fragility and the creeping rise of authoritarianism.

Join us as we unpack the escalating threats to free speech—from censorship and defamation lawsuits to corporate pressure and racialized violence. We connect the dots between media, governance, and power, revealing how dissent is being stifled and narratives tightly controlled—and why independent voices and collective resistance matter now more than ever.

“When that space for scrutiny is narrowed, whether through censorship, intimidation, or the co-opting of media outlets, the public’s access to truth is replaced with narratives carefully engineered to reinforce the power of an authoritarian regime.” — Manpreet Kaur Kalra, Art of Citizenry

⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:55 Trump’s $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times
• 03:52 Disney-Owned ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel! Live!
• 10:25 Jerry Greenfield Leaves Ben & Jerry’s
• 15:49 The Erasure of Racial Violence in the Wake of Charlie Kirk
• 18:50 Deployment of Federal Forces for “Crime Control”
• 21:34 How We Fight Back

What emerges is an ecosystem of control: voices silenced through lawsuits, narratives erased through selective coverage, and public space militarized to cement that erasure. Together, they show a contracting democracy.

🎧 Tune in as we discuss how the erosion of press freedom and free speech is central to authoritarianism. 

📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives. 

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