Susan Glasser on Free Speech, Press Freedom and the Strain on American Democracy
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from February 18, 2026 | Collapsing Norms: Can American Democracy Survive This Stress Test? The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Susan Glasser, staff writer at The New Yorker, columnist, podcast co-host, and veteran political journalist with decades of experience covering Washington and global affairs, examined how attacks on free speech, independent journalism, and public accountability are placing extraordinary stress on American democracy. The conversation focused on whether the country’s democratic institutions can withstand a period marked by rising political intimidation, shrinking transparency, and the weakening of long-standing norms.
A Dangerous Line Has Been Crossed
One of the strongest warnings Glasser offered involved what she described as an unprecedented assault on political dissent. She pointed to the attempted indictment of members of Congress over speech as an example of government power being used in a way that pushes beyond modern democratic norms. In her view, this is not simply another partisan clash. It reflects a broader effort to criminalize opposition and punish speech that those in power dislike.
Glasser argued that the danger lies not only in one shocking event, but in the accumulation of many actions that may appear disconnected at first glance. Taken together, they signal a more serious erosion of democratic guardrails.
Free Speech and Protest Under Pressure
The discussion also explored other examples of pressure on expression and dissent. Glasser referenced lawsuits against media organizations, punishment of news outlets that refuse to follow political directives, and troubling episodes involving protesters, observers, and critics being monitored or confronted. These developments, she suggested, create a climate in which people may begin to fear the consequences of speaking out.
Just as troubling is the uncertainty surrounding how information is being collected and used. Concerns about surveillance, government databases, and the monitoring of perceived opponents add to the sense that basic freedoms are under strain. Glasser noted that when citizens no longer know how government is gathering information or making decisions, democratic trust begins to erode.
Journalism’s Role in a More Hostile Climate
Another major theme was the condition of journalism itself. Glasser described a political environment in which official communication is often less about informing the public and more about performance, message discipline, and misinformation. That makes the work of reporters more difficult, but also more essential.
The conversation then turned to steep cuts at The Washington Post, where Glasser once worked. She argued that reductions in foreign and local reporting do not just weaken one newspaper. They weaken the public record and reduce accountability at exactly the moment when the public needs more scrutiny, not less.
Why This Matters
Glasser’s central message was that democratic decline rarely arrives through one dramatic act alone. It emerges through repeated attacks on speech, truth, institutions, and civic confidence. When journalism is weakened, dissent is chilled, and transparency fades, democracy becomes harder to sustain.
Her warning was clear: these pressures should not be viewed as isolated controversies. They are part of a larger test of whether Americans will continue to defend the principles that make self-government possible.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.
