March 5, 2025
Free Speech and Media Access Under Fire
Debates over free speech are intensifying as political and corporate forces reshape public discourse. President Trump’s move to restrict Associated Press access after it refused to adopt his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” has sparked a rare legal battle over viewpoint discrimination, raising constitutional concerns that could reshape journalists’ traditional access to the presidency. The new administration’s aggressive crackdown on diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender-related speech has set off First Amendment alarms by imposing viewpoint-based restrictions on individuals, schools, and media organizations.
Most Americans strongly support free speech, but a growing number see the government as its greatest threat. Corporate control over news is also having consequences. Jeff Bezos’s ideological shift at The Washington Post has raised concerns about corporate control undermining independent journalism, presenting a critical challenge for public relations professionals tasked with preserving media credibility and trust.
Changing Earned Media Requires New Approaches
In a crowded media landscape, securing meaningful earned media coverage requires a strategic approach. PR experts have highlighted four essential strategies from successful pitches—focusing on journalists’ needs, targeting pitches carefully, mastering the subject matter, and providing ready-to-use resources. PR pros can overcome skepticism from subject matter experts by prioritizing relationship-building through brief initial meetings, proactive communication, and expressing authentic gratitude for collaboration.
At a time when public trust in experts is wavering, communicators must rethink their approach. That means using relatable messengers, emphasizing emotional connection, and positioning expertise as community-driven rather than top-down. A troubling trend is also limiting earned media opportunities: more news owners are scaling back opinion sections, a shift that threatens journalistic independence and erodes public trust in news.
Innovative AI Models Implemented Across Platforms
The AI landscape is evolving at breakneck speed. OpenAI’s new ChatGPT (GPT-4.5) promises enhanced emotional intelligence and fewer hallucinations, but the platform’s confusing pay structure is raising concerns. Google is also upgrading its AI. A new search option allows users to ask complex, multi-part questions and receive detailed, interactive responses. As AI-driven tools like chatbots, real-time translation, and voice assistants continue to advance, they are reshaping communications in profound ways.
AI innovation also comes with challenges. Ethical and privacy concerns surrounding AI’s growing role in communication require careful regulation. PR professionals are also confronting a new reality where AI-generated news errors are more difficult to correct due to automated content creation and limited human oversight. As AI becomes more embedded in media, PR teams must prepare for a future where managing misinformation and AI-driven narratives is a core part of their work.
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