Pro-Gun Activists Sue Texas Politician Who Blocked Them On Facebook
The founders of a pro-gun rights group that was blocked by a state politician on social media filed a lawsuit in U. S. District Court for the Western District in […]
Illinois Supreme Court Rules That Revenge Porn Is Not Protected by the First Amendment
The Illinois Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s ruling that a state law which criminalized “revenge porn” was an unconstitutional restriction on the right to free speech. The case involves a woman, Bethany Austen, who was charged with a felony after she circulated nude images of a neighbor who was having an affair with her then-boyfriend.
New Survey on Free Expression On College Campuses Reveals Gender, Race, And Religion Divisions
The Knight Foundation released a new report, “Free Expression on College Campuses,” that examines students’ views on topic like hate speech and inclusion. In conjunction with College Pulse, a mobile-first […]
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 […]