Archive

Hate Speech: Freedom to Express the “Thought That We Hate”

Is offensive speech, and especially hate speech, protected by the First Amendment? Some protesters use profane and scurrilous language to make their point. Others like the neo-Nazis and other white […]

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Prior Restraint: Strong Protection Against Government Censorship

Prior restraints go at least as far back as 16th century England, when invention of the printing press made it possible to spread dissent and new ideas widely. Such publications […]

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Did San Francisco Silence Hate Speech or Trample Freedom of Speech?

When Joey Gibson, head of Patriot Prayer, applied to hold a rally in San Francisco in an area designated by the National Park Service for "First Amendment activities," he thought he had the Constitution on his side. However, fearing a repeat of what happened in the deadly Charlottesville confrontations, San Francisco officials moved to protect the city from violence in what Gibson now says stifled his freedom of speech.

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President Trump’s Anti-Press Pulpit

President Trump used strong language to denounce the press at a Phoenix rally this week. The Vice President, once a free speech advocate, stood by him. Many journalists now fear that words may lead to violence against the press.

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Aggressive Online Response to Hate Speech and Extremists Post-Charlottesville

In the aftermath of the deadly protests in Charlottesville, many are asking when is hate speech protected and when does it cross the line? GoDaddy, Google and Twitter account "Yes, You're Racist" are redefining the reach of extremist views.

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Pro-Trump supporter holding a sign

Associated Press Bans Alt-Right Terminology In Midst of Usage Debate

What exactly are "alt-right," "alt-left,"antifa," and other groups and what are responsible ways to report on extremist groups?

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Donald Trump

Media Called “The Enemy” in New Trump Ad

What do CNN's Anderson Cooper, NBC's Brian Williams, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and American Urban Radio Networks' April Ryan have in common? They are branded as enemies of the President's agenda in a new ad which has been widely criticized for fostering fear and distrust at at time when President Trump is calling for unity after the violence in Charlottesville.

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Judge Asks New York Times To Testify in Sarah Palin Defamation Lawsuit

After The New York Times issued an apology to Sarah Palin for incorrectly tying her to a 2011 mass shooting in an editorial, the paper asked for the defamation lawsuit she is bringing against them to be dismissed. Not yet says a New York judge. First he wants to Times to testify so he can understand “whether the complaint contains sufficient allegations of actual malice, an essential element of the claim.”

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