The Battle for Press Freedom: A Native Tribe's Struggle

The documentary "Bad Press" chronicles the years-long fight in the Muscogee Nation to codify free press protections, which becomes a major campaign issue during the tribe's elections in 2019. The film highlights the challenges faced by Native journalists in tribal news outlets, where tribal leaders often control and fund media outlets, leading to censorship and limited independent reporting. The documentary captures the landmark achievement of the Muscogee Nation in approving a free press constitutional amendment, making it the only federally recognized Native tribe with such protections. "Bad Press" aims to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and inspire other tribes to advocate for similar protections.