Philly Unpacked: Who Gets to Speak Freely in America?

By: Jordana Rubenstein | Featured, PhillyCAM, The Philadelphia Inquirer

July 28, 2026 | Tagged: America 250, First Ammendment, Freedom of Speech, Press Freedom.

A statue of George Washington stands in front of Independence Hall as the sun rises over Philadelphia.

A statue of George Washington stands in front of Independence Hall as the sun rises over Philadelphia. Two hundred and fifty years after its founding, the land of opportunity is failing many Americans, writes the Editorial Board. Alejandro A. Alvarez / Inquirer Photographer

For the first season finale of Philly Unpacked, host Jordana Rubenstein sits down with Paul Davies and Luis F. Carrasco of The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board to discuss how the legacies of colonization and slavery still shape America at 250; how threats to freedom of speech affect us all; and why journalism is essential to holding power to account.

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Philadelphia, often called the birthplace of democracy, finds itself at the center of the celebration. But as the country looks back on its founding, what stories are missing from the picture? What histories are being suppressed, and who gets to shape the story of America?

The episode also features Philadelphia’s People’s Exposition at the Kensington Engagement Center, where community organizers and artists are creating space for histories often excluded from official narratives and imagining a more just future.

As we close our first season, this conversation reflects what Philly Unpacked is all about: journalism rooted in relationships, built through trust, accountable to the people of Philadelphia, and committed to telling the stories that matter to our city.
Thank you for joining us for season one.

You can see the entire season of “Philly Unpacked” on this YouTube page.