Greenberg Traurig Orlando Shareholder, Gregory W. Herbert, served as a panelist at the League of Women Voters of Orange County (LWVOC) Hot Topics program, Muzzled: A Siege on Speech, held on January 14, 2026, at the Winter Park Events Center.
The program drew more than 200 LWVOC members, along with numerous elected officials and judges from across Central Florida. The discussion examined the evolving challenges surrounding free speech and the state of local news, including declining funding for media organizations, increasing public skepticism toward journalism, and policy shifts that influence access to information.
Panelists explored how these dynamics are shaping the Central Florida community and discussed potential local strategies to support a healthy information environment. Additional topics included the implications of reduced federal funding for public television and radio, efforts to rebuild public trust in news, recent legislative activity related to public records access and book restrictions in public schools, and emerging trends in how organizations address employees’ social media use.