Federal Judge Orders Pack to Stop Interfering in VOA’s Editorial Decisions

Howell did not go as far as to agree that journalists employed by the state are granted all of the same protections as private-sector journalists, but she did reject Pack’s argument that federal journalists have no First Amendment rights. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press's Grayson Clary called the ruling a "victory."

Students Prohibited from Wearing Pro-Gun T-Shirts Can Move Forward with Claims

Two students who were prohibited from wearing pro-gun t-shirts in school can now move forward with their First Amendment claims after a federal judge found that the shirts were protected speech.

Campus Speech Group Publishes Report on Internet Expression

The report details 35 incidents of universities punishing students or faculty for speech online, and 10 universities with policies in place that FIRE says give administrators “immense power to punish large swaths of speech.” According to the advocacy group, many public universities are acting like the First Amendment applies differently to online speech. 

Universities Halt Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs, Fearing Loss of Federal Funds

At least two universities have postponed activities that may violate the President Sept. 22 directive against "race and sex stereotyping." It's likely more will opt to cancel activities, rather than risk being cut off from federal funds.

Federal Judge Blocks Part of Trump’s Ban on TikTok

According to The Washington Post, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols questioned whether President Trump had given TikTok enough time to respond before issuing his executive order on August 6th. The ruling blocks the portion of the ban that would have prohibited users from downloading the app online. 

Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Trump’s WeChat and TikTok Ban

On Sunday, September 20th, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump’s executive order that banned WeChat and TikTok from operating in the U.S. Trump signed the executive order on August 6th, citing national security concerns that the Chinese-owned messaging app and the video app were collecting data on Americans.

Pentagon Backtracks, Says Stars and Stripes Won’t Be Forced to Close

In an email obtained by The Associated Press, a Pentagon official told the newspaper's publisher that he no longer had to provide plans for shutting down the paper.

University of California, San Diego Reaches Settlement with Satirical Student Publication

The newspaper sued the university after the student government passed a bill excluding media student groups from accessing activity funds. The legislation was passed just days after the paper published a controversial article satirizing safe spaces.