Supreme Court Needs to Clarify True Threat Exception; Case Out of Colorado Could Be the Vehicle

Today in this age of increased political polarization and the ubiquity of social media communications, the need for a clear definition of what exactly constitutes a true threat is even more important.

Julian Assange, the Espionage Act and Dangerous Press Freedom Implications

Julian Assange is the first publisher in history to be charged with the World War I-era Espionage Act, igniting pushback from journalists around the world who say this could threaten press freedoms and endanger First Amendment protections.

Mapping First Amendment Conflicts

The endless challenges to freedom of expression raise vital questions of constitutional law and the place of free speech in a democratic society. Click on the map icons to get brief descriptions of controversies large and small (from 2018 to the present), as well as links to more information.

U.S. Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Saudi Crown Prince in Journalist’s Killing

A U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Dec. 6 against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and two of his alleged co-conspirators in the murder of journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi. President Biden’s administration insisted that the Saudi prince was immune legally as the head-of-state, and the federal judge heeded its suggestion.

Supreme Court Justices Argue Free Speech Issue in Anti-Discrimination Case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Dec. 5 in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, a case brought by a Colorado-based website designer who argues that the state’s anti-discrimination law violates her freedom of speech and religion — but her challenge came before the law was enforced against her.

Journalists Injured by Police While Covering George Floyd Protests are Winning Large Settlements

Nine days after George Floyd’s death, the American Civil Liberties Union posted a story characterizing the attacks on journalists covering the protests as a “full-scale assault on the First Amendment freedom of the press.” Lawsuits were filed and we detail the top three settlements this year obtained by journalists and a citizen documenting the protests.

Alex Jones Files for Personal Bankruptcy, Owes $1.5 Billion in Sandy Hook Trial Damages

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones filed for personal bankruptcy Dec. 2, citing the $1.5 billion in damages he owes to nine families who lost their children in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

Timeline: E. Jean Carroll v. Donald Trump and the Defamation Legal Battle

E. Jean Carroll sued former President Donald Trump for defamation in 2019 due to statements he made about her while publicly denouncing her sexual assault allegations against him. The jury has awarded her $88.3 million.