Strengthening First Amendment Knowledge Among Tribal Broadcasters

By Kyler Edsitty

[Albuquerque, NM, September 29, 2026] – In September 2026, three news outlets were banned from entering the White House. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly extended an order to block the ban.

Judge Kelly wrote, “The ban threatens to cut off all Plaintiffs’ access to the White House press area—a space open to many of their competitors—there by restricting their ability to observe happenings there firsthand, immediately report on those activities, and try to engage with government officials.”

Cases like this demonstrate the importance of fundamental First Amendment rights for the press, including our Tribal broadcasters.

Native Public Media, a non-profit organization, held a First Amendment Protectors (FAP) training for the New Mexico Tribal stations. The FAP curriculum was created in the wake of the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, where numerous First Amendment rights were violated. The FAP training helps Tribal citizens understand the First Amendment and how it affects their everyday lives.

In this latest training session, NPM staff presented on freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press, each of which applies to Tribal broadcasters. Tribal radio and television stations are regarded as trusted first informers for Native and rural communities, providing news and emergency alerts. To serve their communities, these broadcasters must understand their rights as journalists and Tribal citizens in a media ecosystem filled with censorship and misinformation.

The training began with morning remarks from Multimedia Journalist Antonia Gonzales, who spoke about the importance of Tribal broadcasters and journalists. Their importance is evident when they broadcast local events, news, and emergency alerts that Tribal and rural communities rely on to support overall civic health. Gonzales also facilitated an activity to help attendees gauge their stations’ reporting capabilities and how to integrate more local reporting.

“Indigenous communities have long used and valued the sharing of information,” Gonzales stated. “Communication through tribal media helps preserve culture, protects sovereignty, and can correct or avoid harmful narratives. Tribal media, especially Native radio, often carries forward Indigenous knowledge. Sharing local information is the backbone of your community — keeps people connected, informed, builds trust, strengthens community.”

The first training module focused on the freedom of speech and how citizens exercise it. More importantly, this module highlighted that people are free to say what they want, but there may be ramifications depending on where and when they say it. This subject is especially relevant for Tribal broadcasters who speak directly to thousands of Tribal members on the air in an industry that is heavily regulated by the Federal government.

The next module provided an overview of the freedom of assembly, how it is exercised, and attempts to limit it throughout Indian Country. The trainer showed examples from the 2016 Standing Rock protests where law enforcement attempted to disperse protests using extreme measures like sound cannons and Wi-Fi jamming. Knowing the signs of the freedom of assembly being violated is integral for Tribal citizens who advocate and speak out against harmful issues that affect Indigenous people.

The training concluded with a module that focused on freedom of the press and how it applies to Tribal broadcasters who report on local and federal issues. The trainer showed examples of journalist intimidation at Standing Rock, where “Free Press Zones” were created and drones used for reporting were damaged to limit news coverage and mistreatment of protesters. Tribal broadcasters serve as journalists, so their right to report and keep leaders accountable is fundamental to their duties as first informers. With this knowledge, they can identify when these rights are being violated. This module also stressed the importance of fact-checking news stories when broadcasting to Native communities who trust their local radio stations.

KCZY Radio Station Manager Cuyler Frank spoke to the importance of the free press in Tribal broadcasting. 

“Free press is important because it holds our public servants accountable while providing a level of transparency to these public offices,” Frank stated. “A stable and independent press ensures our government officials are accountable by providing information which allows the citizenry of the nation to make informed decisions about their communities and the government.”

The events surrounding the White House press restrictions serve as a reminder that protecting First Amendment rights remains an ongoing responsibility. For Tribal broadcasters, protecting these rights is especially important as they serve communities that rely on local radio for trusted news, emergency information, and opportunities to make their voices heard. The FAP training gave New Mexico’s Tribal broadcasters the knowledge and tools to recognize First Amendment violations and to better understand their role in protecting these freedoms. With this knowledge, Tribal broadcasters remain essential to ensuring their communities stay informed, connected, and empowered.

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