'Fake News' Is Not an Excuse to Regulate the Internet
Both Democrats and Republicans are missing the mark when they call for the government to control the flow of information on the internet.
Free Speech
Lebanon Bans "The Post"
The reason: Steven Spielberg shot some scenes for Schindler's List in Israel.
Court Kills Most of Idaho's Law Against Secret Farm Recordings
A likely-fatal blow to to the state's censorious "ag gag" law
Court Vacates Ban on "Memes" That Depict Local Community Activist
Richard Rynearson's online criticisms of Clarence Moriwaki, the court held, were protected by the First Amendment, and thus couldn't justify an antistalking order.
James O'Keefe Panders to Populist 'Conservatives' Who Think Silicon Valley Is the Greatest Threat to Freedom
They used to call themselves supporters of limited government. Some still do.
This Marijuana Reform T-Shirt Cost Iowa Taxpayers Half a Million Bucks
The state will pay damages and legal fees for violating the First Amendment rights of ISU activists.
No, Trump Still Can't Outlaw Mocking Him
When it comes to "opening up" the First Amendment, the president's bark is worse than his bite.
Exchanging Dirty Jokes Is Now a 'Sexual Relationship' at George Washington University
Fired chemistry professor is suing the school.
What Is Hate Speech? We Asked College Students
Should the U.S. join other countries in regulating certain speech? Can people even agree on what 'hate speech' is?
Lindsay Lohan, Grand Theft Auto V, the First Amendment, and the Right of Publicity
An amicus brief we recently filed in an interesting and important New York high court case.
The 10 Worst Helicopter Parenting Moments of 2017
It isn't just parents. Cops, schools, reporters, bureaucrats and busybodies got in on the action this year.
Should You Lose Your Liquor License Partly Because You Rudely Criticized Police?
Yes, said San Antonio police officers, arguing that a bar's license shouldn't be renewed -- "those remarks show what kind of people Bottom Bracket's owners really are and that they should not be allowed to operate a bar."
College Presidents Say: "Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech"
But there's no "hate speech" exception to the First Amendment.
California Prosecuting Man for Insulting Posts on Islamic Center's Facebook Page
The government's theory would equally criminalize insulting posts on a NRA page, or on a pro-Trump organization's page, or on a Communist Party page.
Atheist Arrested in Bangladesh -- Atheism Might Be Banned in Egypt
Two recent stories in the news, plus a third item about Malaysia.
Oregon Court Holds That Statements Opposing Same-Sex Marriage Weren't Illegal Threats of Discrimination
A separate holding from today's Klein v. BOLI (Sweetcakes by Melissa case), from the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Bakers Lose in Oregon Case, But Wedding Singers / Painters / Photographers Might Win
The Oregon Court of Appeals upholds a $135,000 damages award imposed on Sweetcakes by Melissa for its owners' refusal to make a cake for a same-sex wedding.
No Lawsuits for Negligent Lobbying
A woman is injured in a car accident supposedly because of bad roadway design decision (a dangerous cut in the median) -- so she sues business that had lobbied county to make that decision.
Universities Are Raising a Generation of Trumplets
Free speech is increasingly triggering.
How Controversial Chinese Billionaire Founder of Faraday Future Got a Gag Order Against Critic
Jia Yueting got an injunction from a Washington state court, forbidding critic Gu Yingqiong from "publish[ing] any posts or [online] commentary concerning" Jia.
If BYOB Is Legally Allowed at Strip Clubs, They Have a First Amendment Right to Advertise It
So held a federal court in New Jersey yesterday (GJJM Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Atlantic City).
Court Throws Out Libel Lawsuit Brought by Open Source Security
Bruce Perens' claimed that Open Source Security's license violates the GPL open-source license agreement; that's protected opinion, the court said.
Court Reaffirms: H.S. Athlete Likely Has Right to Kneel During National Anthem
A Federal district court grants a preliminary injunction in V.A. v. San Pasqual Valley Unified School District.
First Batch of Inauguration Day Protesters Acquitted In Key First Amendment Case
The Justice Department's attempt to prosecute six anti-Trump protesters falls flat on its face, but it says more trials will follow.
'Degrading and Vile' Modification of Colleague's Wedding Photo Was Protected Speech
The New Jersey Supreme Court narrowly construes a ban on annoying conduct to avoid First Amendment problems.
D.C. Allowed to Exclude Religious Ads from Buses
Seems inconsistent with a 1995 Supreme Court precedent, but the D.C. federal court allowed this, and the D.C. Circuit seems to agree.
GW Students Organize to Fight Oppression By Oppressing Reading Choices
Obvious propaganda should be labeled propaganda, obviously.
Can Public Display of Pictures of Nudity Be Criminalized?
It turns out the Supreme Court has dealt with the question, in Erznoznik v. City of Jacksonville (1975).
Court Upholds Right to Display Signs Depicting Aborted Fetuses
A sound decision Monday from a federal district court in Michigan.
Can Repeated Speech Be Criminalized Just Because It's Intended to "Seriously Annoy"?
No, says the New Jersey Supreme Court in an opinion that sharply limits the state criminal harassment statute.
Breaking News Before Local Cops Do Lands Laredo Vlogger With Felony Charges
Sharing arrest and accident info on Facebook before cops can tell "official" media is not OK, say Laredo police-and nevermind that one of their own was the source.
Conservative Snowflakes Get Protesting Nebraska Instructor Booted From Her Teaching Job
Will colleges sanction every educator with a provocative opinion?
"There Is a Constitutional Right of the Public to Film the Official Activities of Police Officers in a Public Place."
So says the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Bar on Registering 'Immoral or Scandalous' Trademarks Violates First Amendment
So a Federal Circuit panel held today, answering a question that the Supreme Court's Slants case left open.
Government Is the Cause of—Not the Solution to—Online Censorship
As people worry about the net neutrality vote, public officials threaten our rights to free speech.
Prostitution Ad Ban Creeps Forward, Threatening Social Media and Sex Workers
The bill would gut Section 230 and make sex advertising a federal crime.
Posting or Hosting Sex Ads Could Mean 25 Years in Federal Prison Under New Republican Proposal
A related measure would open digital platforms to liability for past crimes committed by users.
Trump vs. Weigel—Shudder, Giggle, or Both?: Podcast
Also on the Reason Podcast: Is abortion a good reason to vote for Roy Moore? Did Al Franken get a raw deal? Can the feds smother bitcoin?
The End of Free Speech
In 2017, the left eats its own and the right shows its true colors.
Atlanta Targets Good Samaritans Sharing Food with Homeless
Feed yourself in a public park. Feed the pigeons and the squirrels there, too. Whatever you do, though, don't share your food with a hungry person.
Justice Dept. Opposes Mandatory Union Dues for Public Employees, Reversing an Old Position
DOJ argues workers are being forced to subsidize political positions with which they may disagree.
Licensing Board Admits It Can't Silence Red Light Camera Critic
The Oregon engineering board fined Mats Järlström for exercising his First Amendment rights. Now, finally, it admits it's not allowed to do that.
You Don't Lose Your Right to Anonymity Just Because You Lost a Lawsuit
An appeals court defends anonymous speech.
