The NBA's China Problem Gets Worse After 2 American Arenas Eject Hong Kong Supporters
This week's demonstrations at NBA games are a refreshing reminder that Americans won't just "stick to sports."
Free Speech
Another Decision Against Sealing Records in Libel Cases
"The logical conclusion of Plaintiff's argument is that whenever someone sues for defamation because of potentially embarrassing comments, the plaintiff should be allowed to sue anonymously and with the case under seal."
Activision Blizzard Sided With Chinese Communists Against a 21-Year-Old Star Player
The gaming company suspended Chung Ng Wai for a year and confiscated his prize money after he said "Liberate Hong Kong."
Philadelphia 76ers Fans Ejected from Preseason Game for Supporting Hong Kong - UPDATED
Apparently the NBA's kow-towing to Communist China is not limited to groveling press statements.
Maine State Police Denied P.I. License Because of His Social Media Posts About State Police Lieutenant
A Maine court said this would violate the private investigator's First Amendment rights, even if the police concluded the statements were false, unless they were also found to have been knowingly or recklessly false -- but should even a finding of knowing falsehood be enough?
Criminal Coercion Statute Struck Down in Minnesota
The Court of Appeals concluded, I think correctly, that the statute went beyond punishable threats of violence, and beyond punishable blackmail, to cover constitutionally protected demands.
You Will Die if You Vape While Watching Impeachment Porn
Reason editors discuss vaping deaths, the impeachment inquiry, and the resurgent conservative war on porn.
China Banned South Park After the Show Made Fun of Chinese Censorship
"You gotta lower your ideals of freedom if you want to suck on the warm teat of China."
The New York Times Says 'Free Speech Is Killing Us.' But Violent Crime Is Lower Than Ever.
The 2018 Uniform Crime Report contained bad news for pessimists but good news for everybody else.
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle Will Receive $50,000 to Speak at the University of Florida
"We are confident that all members of the university community will demonstrate the highest ideals of our university."
Trump Brazenly Suggests Ukraine, China Should Do Opposition Research for His 2020 Campaign
Plus: Why you think all your friends get their news on Facebook, the trade-offs that come with higher minimum wages, a modest proposal for AOC, and more...
The E.U. Orders Global Censorship of Comments Calling Austrian Politician a 'Corrupt Oaf'
Is there room for the entire world on this slippery slope?
Defending San Francisco's Anti-NRA Resolution, City Officials Say It Was Nothing but Meaningless Bluster
Although San Francisco's supervisors urged city officials to punish contractors with ties to this "domestic terrorist organization," they say they did not really mean it.
Trump Is the Problem, With or Without Twitter
If people think cancel culture sucks now, just wait until the government gets involved.
Joker Director Todd Phillips Says Woke Scolds and Twitter Mobs Killed Comedy
"Go try to be funny nowadays with this woke culture."
New York City Declares Using the Term 'Illegal Alien' Can Result in a $250,000 Fine
The Commission on Human Rights is likely running afoul of the First Amendment.
Libel Lawsuit Over University Rape Allegations Can Proceed
So holds a federal district judge, rejecting the defendant's motion to dismiss (though of course without resolving, at this early stage in the lawsuit, who is telling the truth).
Prosecution for Rifle-UC-Rifle Gun Control Sticker
It's apparently happening in Tennessee -- but it's clearly unconstitutional.
American Woman Tells Hongkongers 'Safety Is More Important Than Freedom'
Under Chinese authoritarianism, they'll have neither.
Short Circuit Podcast on the First Amendment and Student Newspaper Funding,
religious organizations' right to discriminate in some employment decisions, and federal funding conditions preferring local agencies that help federal immigration enforcement.
This Obnoxious Drunk's Opinions Could Earn Him an Extra 59 Months Behind Bars
The case vividly illustrates how hate crime laws punish people for the views they express.
How To Have Impossible Conversations in Terrible Times
In a new book, Peter Boghossian, one of the perpetrators of the "grievance studies" hoax, outlines how ideological opponents can reach common ground.
Why Does the Popular Social Media App TikTok Have Almost No Hong Kong Protest Footage?
The company's Chinese ownership may have something to do with it.
Should You Be Able To Leave Facebook With All of Your Connections?
When online privacy faces off against portability
#ShutUp #RightNow: Speech Restriction Quickly Imposed on Woman Who Accused Ex-Boyfriend of Being a Stalker
A Texas judge issued the temporary restraining order before any trial on the merits, and apparently without the ex-girlfriend even showing up -- and it seems inconsistent with Texas law and likely the First Amendment/
Co-Author of San Francisco's E-Cigarette Ban Wants the FDA to Silence His Opponents
Supervisor Shamann Walton thinks he can use restrictions on commercial speech to suppress political speech.
Disclosure vs. Secrecy All the Way Down
An attempt to seal a key document in a libel / breach of contract case filed by a former communication strategist for Julian Assange against a former lawyer for Edward Snowden.
"Islam Is RIGHT About Women"
That's what flyers posted in Winchester (Massachusetts) say.
Free Speech Under Fire
A new book tries and fails to make a case against freedom of expression.
A Michigan Man Has Been Acquitted by a Jury for Criticizing a County Judge on Facebook
It took a jury 26 minutes to decide that Jonathan Vanderhagen wasn't guilty.
Josh Hawley Says Libertarians Who Defend Tech Are Enamored with Power. He Should Look in the Mirror.
The populist senator's campaign against social media addiction is unscientific and anti-freedom.
Sanctions Imposed on Alleged "Copyright Troll"
for what the judge concludes are discovery violations, in a copyright case involving photos of model Emily Ratajkowski.
The First Amendment and Tax Exemptions for "Hate" Groups
Just testified this morning before the House Ways & Means Committee Oversight Subcommittee about this.
A Grieving Father Is Standing Trial for Criticizing a Judge on Facebook
Jonathan Vanderhagen believes a judge doomed his son to an early death. The judge says Vanderhagen's Facebook posts were intimidating.
Corey Lewandowski, House Democrats Clash During Wild Trump Impeachment Prelude Hearing
Plus: Screen addiction is not really a thing and New Mexico embraces tuition-free college.
Saturday Night Live Fires New Cast Member Shane Gillis for Using Offensive Language
Comedy, meet cancel culture
Freedom of Speech Protects Calligraphers' Right Not to Create Custom Same-Sex Wedding Invitations
So holds the Arizona Supreme Court.
The Justice Department and Allegations Against Federal Officeholders
Hard to see what President Trump was referring to with regard to the New York Times story with new allegations about Justice Kavanaugh.
Northeastern Illinois University Students Say Hosting Sean Spicer Promotes Violence
"Any platform he is provided...creates more space for right-wing extremists to escalate their attacks on our communities."
Citing Safety, Some Students Oppose Removal of UT-Austin's 'Free Speech Zone'
They worry that letting speech flourish in the rest of the campus will make "students feel unsafe and unwelcome."
Why Suing for Less Money Might Be Better
If you want to stay out of federal court when suing someone from another state, ask for $75,000 or less at the outset -- as Eric Wedgewood / Heiko Julien, the creator of the Content Zone meme pages, has learned.
Politicians Want to Destroy Section 230, the Internet's First Amendment
Four myths about the law that made the modern internet possible.
Lawsuit Argues That San Francisco's Anti-NRA Resolution Violates the First Amendment
Going beyond criticism, the resolution would punish the NRA and its supporters by cutting off contractors with ties to the group.
