DIThe Distraction Index

#free speech

9 events across 8 weeks

3Damage
4Hype
2Noise
20.2Avg Dmg
30.3Avg Hype
WEEK 84Aug 2 – 8
DMG2026-08-04
Trump Vowed to 'Bring Free Speech Back' But Judges Rule He Stifled It
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · broad
Damage
32.1
Hype
21.8
WEEK 79Jun 28 – Jul 4
HYPE2026-06-27
DHS Defends Warning Visit to Syracuse Woman Over Social Media Post
Norm Erosion Onlysingle state · narrow
Damage
9.8
Hype
47.0
WEEK 66Mar 29 – Apr 4
DMG2026-03-29
Trump Executive Order Targeting Social Media Content Moderation
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
55.4
Hype
49.8
WEEK 60Feb 15 – 21
HYPE2026-02-07
US Agency Investigates ABC's 'The View' for Equal Time Violations
Enforcement Actionfederal · narrow
Damage
10.4
Hype
27.7
WEEK 49Nov 30 – Dec 6
DMG2025-12-05
Trump Administration Denies Visas to Content Moderators and Fact-Checkers
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · moderate
Damage
33.5
Hype
32.4
HYPE2025-12-05
Trump Administration Denies Visas to People Who Worked in Content Moderation
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
24.5
Hype
32.5
WEEK 40Sep 28 – Oct 4
HYPE2025-10-03
UVA Antifascist Students Plan American Flag Burning Protest
single state · narrow
Damage
0.1
Hype
26.9
WEEK 18Apr 27 – May 3
NOISE2025-05-03
Performer Sues San Diego Library Over Restrictions on Portraying Black Historical Figures
Judicial/Legal Actionsingle state · narrow
Damage
5.6
Hype
17.3
WEEK 17Apr 20 – 26
NOISE2025-04-26
Two Arrested for Directing Harassment of LA Critic of Xi Jinping
Enforcement Actionsingle state · narrow
Damage
10.6
Hype
17.4