White House Refuses to Endorse Christchurch Call, citing Free Speech Concerns
In the wake of the deadly mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, the country’s Prime Minister is leading an effort to stamp out extremism online. The “Christchurch Call” asks for “collective, voluntary commitments" from governments and online service providers to stop the spread of extremism. The non-binding doctrine has been signed by 18 countries, including France and Canada, and by five tech companies, including Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Trump administration, however, declined to sign the Christchurch Call, citing free speech concerns.
Public Official Sued For Blocking Constituent on Twitter and Facebook
A Colorado state senator is being sued for blocking a constituent on social media. Anne Landman is suing Republican Senator Ray Scott after he banned her from his official Twitter and Facebook accounts two years ago. “Sen. Scott censored me for being a critical constituent. Yet, he’s allowed his like-minded followers to ridicule me on his page and retain their right to speak freely,” Landman said in a statement. “This doesn’t feel like democracy. This feels like hypocrisy and punishment for having a different point of view.”
Missouri Attorney General Changes His Mind About Exceptions to Sunshine Laws
August 21, 2019: “Very Limited Instances” When Privacy Can Be Used to Withhold Government Records, says Missouri Attorney General. On August 20, 2019, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt submitted a […]
Sticker Shock: Charges Dropped Against Man Arrested For “Obscene” Car Decal
A Florida man who was arrested for refusing to alter a car decal a deputy claimed was “obscene” will not be prosecuted, officials said yesterday. Dillon Shane Webb was arrested […]
PEN America Rebuts Trump’s Motion To Dismiss Suit Over First Amendment Violations
Updated 3/25/2020: District court rejected Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss PEN America’s lawsuit, says the case can proceed. PEN America filed its response to a motion to dismiss filed on […]
Rep. Adam Schiff Proposes Amendment To Overturn Citizens United
Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Courts’ 2010 Citizens United ruling that lifted restrictions on corporate campaign contributions. The proposed amendment would allow Congress and states to impose reasonable limits on campaign contributions, and allow states to create mechanisms for public funding of campaigns.
School Newspaper Publishes Controversial Story At The Center Of Free Speech Debate
On Friday May 3, a student high school newspaper in Stockton, California published an article about an 18 year-old student who worked in the porn industry. The Lodi Unified School […]
Survey Reveals Substantial Support For First Amendment, But People Misunderstand Its Protections
According to a newly released American Bar Association civics literacy survey, the American public displays strong support for the First Amendment, but knowledge of the specifics of its protections are lacking.