The 2010s: When the Media Lost Their Gatekeepers
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan's work best explains how the world changed in the 2010s—and what we can expect in the decade ahead.
Free Speech
Retired Law Professor Sues Lawyer-Commenters on Law Blog
A company had a trademark canceled in a Trademark Trial & Appeal Board proceeding, based on what the Board described as the company's "delaying tactics, including the willful disregard of Board orders." The TTABlog posted about it, and some commenters criticized the company's lawyer, Ohio State Prof. Charles L. (Lee) Thomason—so he is suing them for libel.
A Christmas Miracle: Washington Court Overturns Marijuana Sign Rules That Banned String Lights Spelling 'Pot'
A judge concluded that the restrictions violate the state constitution's free speech guarantee.
First Amendment Doesn't Protect a Right to Smoke
Just in case you had any doubts about that.
No "Possess[ing]" "Copyrighted Material" When on Supervised Release
Now that's being tough on crime.
Democrats Still Fundraising Off Citizens United, Still Wrong About What It Means
Plus: Christianity Today rejects Trump, retirement savings restrictions loosened, Nigerian sex work decriminalized, and more...
When Does the First Amendment Preempt Negligence Liability?
More on Doe v. Mckesson, the Baton Rouge Black Lives Matter case.
Negligence Claims Brought Against Protest Organizers: More on the Tort Law Side of Doe v. Mckesson,
the Baton Rouge Black Lives Matter case (in which Judge Don Willett has just switched to dissenting, and in which a cert. petition has been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court).
The Weird Litigation Posture of the Doe v. Mckesson / Baton Rouge Black Lives Matter Protest Case
The case, in which Judge Don Willett has just switched to dissenting, should be an easy win for DeRay Mckesson—but on a theory that hadn't been asserted in court.
Elizabeth Warren Wants To Tax Lobbying
Her lobbying tax proposal is pseudo-policy, a veneer of wonky seriousness over dubious populist dogma.
Forged Court Order Used to Try to Vanish Online Magazine Article About L.A. Businessman
"Steve Farzam, chief operating officer of the Shore Hotel [in Santa Monica], ... [has] been charged with counterfeiting a Los Angeles County Superior Court seal."
Can Jack Dorsey Reinvent the Internet by Making Twitter More Like Email?
The case for a technical free speech fix
Was This the Decade We Hit Peak Free Speech?
Speech was more varied and vibrant than ever before—and then the backlash began.
It's Bill of Rights Day. Do Americans Still Care?
The greatest threat to protections for our freedom may be people's fear that people who disagree with them are exercising their rights.
Right To Be Forgotten
Sharyn Rothstein's sharp new play is a smart and timely look at how to balance free speech and privacy in a wired age.
Trump's Order Aimed at Fighting Anti-Semitism Is Constitutionally Problematic, but It's Not Anti-Semitic
Erroneous reporting set off a bizarre backlash that obscured the real problem.
More on Seattle Public Library "Considering" Whether to Cancel Meeting of Trans-Skeptical Feminist Group
The ACLU of Washington speaks out.
High School Cancels Tarzan Musical Because Parents Said It's Racist
"I think if we decide we’re just going to immediately hair-trigger cancel anything that might make anyone uncomfortable, we’re missing a chance to teach.”
Seattle Public Library "Considering" Whether to Cancel Meeting of Trans-Skeptical Feminist Group
But any such cancellation would violate the First Amendment, because it would involve viewpoint discrimination in a place opened by the government to private speech.
Are We Really Gonna Do Another War on Porn?
Conservatives are wrong on policy, and really wrong on facts
Interesting Sealing Decision in Divorce-Related Case of a Powerful Washington Public Affairs Consultant
The ex-wife had withdrawn her complaint before the court took any substantive action, under circumstances that cast doubt on its accuracy; because of that, a Virginia court agreed that it should be sealed.
If You Want To Defend Free Speech Against a New Wave of Attacks, Support Reason Today!
Today's censors are using tech policy and social-media outrage to attack your right to think and say what you believe.
Pelosi Reportedly Wants To Strip Online Free Speech Protections From Trade Deal
Gutting the trade deal would make it easier to strip our speech protections here at home.
Ro Khanna Hopes This Bill Will Pave the Way to Repealing FOSTA
Since FOSTA passed in 2018, "sex workers have faced increased violence" and "have been forced onto the streets," the California congressman says.
Devin Nunes Sues CNN for Reporting Claims He Helped Meddle in Ukraine
"CNN is the mother of fake news," reads the introduction to Nunes' new lawsuit.
Alito Faults Supreme Court for Refusing to Hear 'Disfavored Speech' Case
“If the Court is serious about protecting freedom of expression, we should grant review.”
Here's What Happens When a Government Demands a 'Fake News' Label on Social Media
Singapore ordered Facebook to attach a "false information" message to a news story written by a government critic.
Can Indian Tribes Sue for Libel?
American government agencies (federal, state, and local) can't sue for libel, the Supreme Court has held; but what about foreign countries, or Indian tribes?
Bill Barr is Wrong to Claim Courts Cannot Examine Government Motives
Assessment of motives is often an essential tool for protecting our constitutional rights.
Professor Punished for Teaching Students About Badly Worded Holocaust Poll
"We must remain—especially now—vigilant to any form of discrimination," said National Louis University in a dumb statement.
Indiana Wesleyan Student Kicked Out of Honors College for Questioning Cultural Appropriation
Bias incident reports, safety concerns, and harassment charges, all because of a slightly trollish Facebook post.
Court Upholds Restriction on Videorecording in Government Buildings,
even if there is such a right to videorecord on public streets, holds a federal district court.
Does It Matter That Impeachment Enthusiasts Are Lousy on Foreign Policy?
The Reason Roundtable panelists ask: Why so many hawks in the anti-Trump clump?
Calling Wife "Fucking Bitch" in "Mutual Argument … Unaccompanied by any Physical Actions or Threats" Isn't "Fighting Words"
Warning: These are trained litigants; don't try this at home.
Sacha Baron Cohen's Anti-Facebook Rant at the ADL Summit Was Pure Moral Panic
The comedian thinks misleading information on social media is ruining society. That's a bit rich, coming from him.
Woman Charged With Texting Boyfriend to Death Actually Pleaded With Him Not To Kill Himself
She also frantically tried to find him, and she alerted his family once she knew where he was.
Do We Need a World Data Organization?
Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang thinks so.
No Sealing of Whirpool Corp. Documents in Product Liability Case
"While such documents may be unflattering to Defendant's business, Defendant has not satisfied the burden of showing that the documents are proprietary in nature. Nor has Defendant satisfied the burden necessary to show that any interest in maintaining secrecy is outweighed by the presumption of access."
Authoritarianism Is Winning on Every Front in India
Instead of its economy becoming more liberal, its polity is growing more illiberal.
The First Amendment and Government Property: Free Speech Rules (Episode 8)
Episode 8 of Free Speech Rules by UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh
N.Y. Prosecution and Lawsuit Over Sending Baptist Anti-Catholic Leaflet + E-Mail
Criminal charges were eventually dropped, and the civil lawsuit has just been thrown out.
50 Student Activists—Including 'Current and Former Editors'—Protested Against The Harvard Crimson for Being Too Objective
Progressive activists want the newspaper to stop practicing balanced journalism.
