New Study Says Trump Has Undermined Press Freedoms On a Global Scale
The report cites data collected by Freedom House, which shows that, at a minimum, 26 countries have enacted or introduced laws and government rules restricting online media and journalistic access in the name of controlling “fake news.”
Missouri Journalists Criticize Governor for Lack of Access to COVID-19 Press Briefings
Like a number of states, Missouri has moved from in-person press briefings to online ones in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus. But unlike other states, Missouri has barred the press from asking questions in real-time.
Breaking with Tradition, Supreme Court To Provide Live Audio of Oral Arguments
“Despite the justices' unwillingness to bring the modern technologies of video into the courtroom, the COVID-19 pandemic reveals how some communication technologies can change the culture of the proceedings and how the court communicates with the public,” Ron Collins said in response to the court's decision.
Trump Sues Wisconsin TV Station For Airing Democratic Super PAC Ad
Filed on April 13th in Price County Wisconsin Circuit Court, the lawsuit claims that the TV ad spliced together two video clips from separate campaign events to make it appear as if the president has said the phrase “The coronavirus, this is their new hoax.”
Student Settles Free Speech Lawsuit with California School District
The former high school student sued after his class president title was striped over an offensive video he posted on his Twitter account.
Ted Boutrous Challenges Preferential Treatment Given to OANN Reporter
Ted Boutrous sent a letter to White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham on April 3rd, demanding that Playboy White House Correspondent Brian Karem be allowed to attend press briefings. The letter also criticized the Trump Administration’s preferential treatment of a reporter for One American News Network (OANN), a conservative cable show.
Knight First Amendment Institute Sues CDC For Coronavirus Communication Records
Knight First Amendment Institute, a leading press advocacy group, filed a lawsuit on April 2nd against the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking the immediate release of documents related to policies governing CDC employees’ ability to speak to the press and the public about matters relating to the novel coronavirus.
Three States Pass Laws That Enhance Punishments for Fossil Fuel Protests
This month, legislators in Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia have worked to pass new laws that target individuals protesting fossil fuel companies. Some environmentalists believe legislators took advantage of the fact that national attention was focused on the coronavirus, to pass controversial legislation.