FOIA Suit Filed Over Secret Government Database
An NBC affiliate in San Diego and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a suit under the Freedom of Information Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against four federal agencies. The complaint filed against the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services seeks to obtain records requested in a March, 2019 FOIA concerning an alleged secret database the federal government had created on journalists covering immigration issues at the US and Mexico border.
Media Organizations Seek Access To Transcript of Closed Weinstein Hearing
Both the prosecution and the defense in Harvey Weinstein's case want a critical hearing set for Friday to take place behind closed doors, citing Weinstein's right to a fair trial. Now, 14 major news organizations are fighting for open access, asking a judge to keep the hearing open to the press and the public.
The U.S. Is Now A Less Safe Place For Journalists
A newly released annual report by Reporter Without Borders, called the “World Press Freedom Index,” reveals a disheartening state of freedom of the press around the globe—including in the U.S. “The number of countries regarded as safe, where journalists can work in complete security, continues to decline, while authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media,” the report says. The United States has now become a less safe place for journalists, ranking at No. 48 out of the 180 countries and territories on the list.
Student Protesters at Harvard Disrupt Discussion And Cause Venue Change
In early April, a group of student protesters at Harvard disrupted a discussion between two administrators who were going to discuss how universities could promote economic opportunity. The event, which […]
Supreme Court Hears Trademark Case Centered On A Seemingly Offensive Word
The Supreme Court is weighing whether the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office acted unconstitutionally when it denied granting a trademark to a clothing line called “FUCT.” The case was brought by […]
Prepublication Review: An “Unconstitutional Censorship” of Former Intelligence Officials?
Five former intelligence officials are suing two U.S. intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense, challenging the constitutionality of the agencies’ “prepublication review” system. The prepublication review system requires current and former intelligence agency employees and military personnel to submit for government approval anything they write about their past work.
Teacher Guide: Balancing The Right To A Fair Trial With The Right Of A Free Press
Each year, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) convenes the New York Fair Trial Free Press Conference, which brings together a panel of journalists, judges, and lawyers to discuss a hypothetical case involving free speech, the freedom of the press, and citizens’ right to a fair trial. This guide uses videos taken from the 2018 conference to address First Amendment issues like privacy rights, shield laws, and confidential sources.
Cruz Challenging FEC Over Campaign Finance Limitation Arguing That It Restricts Political Speech
Senator Ted Cruz is suing the Federal Election Committee over a provision of Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) that he says violates political candidates’ and campaign donors’ First Amendment right […]