Gene Policinski Commentary – To Trump On NBC ‘License’ Tweet: NO!
The Newseum Institute’s First Amendment expert, Gene Policinski, originally published this commentary on the Newseum blog, and have given First Amendment Watch permission to reprint. There’s only one appropriate, spirit-of-freedom […]
Criticism Escalates Over President Trump’s Threats To Revoke Network Licenses
In a rebuke to President Trump’s threats to revoke broadcast licenses, FCC Chair Ajit Pai said at telecom law event, “The FCC under my leadership will stand for the First Amendment, […]
Emotional Distress: “Outrageousness” Has an Inherent Subjectiveness
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress A satiric attack on Jerry Falwell, a Baptist pastor and founder of the conservative group, the Moral Majority, resulted in a major Supreme Court opinion […]
The President’s Mar-A-Lago Retreat and Presidential Access
Throughout history, U.S. Presidents have relied on private retreats to recharge during the trials of governing. George H.W. Bush had a “Summer White House” in Kennebunkport, Maine, FDR built a “Little White […]
ESPN Anchor Suspended for Repeated Controversial Tweets
When is a tweet a fireable offense? ESPN anchor Jemele Hill has been posting comments that have come under increasing scrutiny. Under Connecticut law, ESPN is bound by First Amendment principles of freedom of speech. The network's recent suspension of Hill for her latest tweets may be an employer stating an employee violated social media guidelines or an action that can be challenged in court.
New Poll Says Trust in the Fourth Estate Growing
Reporters have had a tumultuous time under the new administration: called out as fake news, personally maligned and thwarted in their reporting. Trust in the news media plummeted as a result. Now there may be a turnaround according to a new poll in which Americans say the press doing its job well. Will the administration agree?
Symbolic Speech: Our Inheritance from the Founding Period
What is Symbolic Speech and why is it important in our Free Speech debate? First Amendment Watch delves into this important topic. “Symbolic speech as a form of protest, like […]
Department of Justice Wants Anti-Trump Facebook User Information
The Justice Department has requested Facebook provide information on activists involved with the "DisruptJ20” protests which occurred during President Trump's inauguration. The American Civil Liberties Union is arguing that the request not only chills free speech, but also gives the DPJ unfettered access to thousands of personal records.