A Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal
Trump's failure to properly allege "actual malice" is consistent with his long history of filing shaky legal claims against people who say things he does not like.
Free Speech
President Trump's Libel Lawsuit Over Wall Street Journal Article on Epstein's Birthday Letters Dismissed
The court concludes that Trump hadn't adequately alleged facts that would support a finding that the defendants knew the article was false (or were reckless about the prospect); Trump has an opportunity to file an amended complaint if he can identify such facts.
Petitioner's Regret No Grounds for Sealing of 8-Year-Old Restraining Order Documents
Petitioner's new-found "public figure" status, and concerns that records are "impeding his employment, professional credibility, and personal safety," don't justify sealing, either.
Follow-Up to "Reproducing Controversial Tweet in News Story = Fair Use" Post
"Market Erasure," "Three Plinths," "The March 2nd Transformation," "Karen" "branding," and "The Commercially Savvy Lawyer."
UNC Newspaper Halts Satire and Implements DEI Training After Backlash Over April Fools' Issue
Free speech lawyers say UNC violated North Carolina’s institutional neutrality law.
Massachusetts High Court: Claim Against Meta for Alleged Addiction of Children Can Go Forward Notwithstanding § 230
The court doesn't decide whether Meta actually violated state law, or whether it may have a First Amendment defense; those decisions will be made later in the case.
Allegations of Conspiracy Between Univ. of S. Florida and Jewish Groups, Brought by Students for Democratic Society Chapter, Rejected
"In essence, the plaintiffs argue that every time a Jew or Jewish organization contributes to (in this instance) a public university and that university, acting under established policy, disciplines a student who advocates for, in this instance, 'particularly Palestinian" policies, the simultaneous presence of the contribution and the discipline creates a plausible inference of a conspiracy between the contributor and the university to punish the "particularly Palestinian' advocate."
Lawsuits Targeting Social Media Are an Attack on Free Speech
Tech companies that create social media apps should not be blamed for the complex mental issues of everyone who might use them.
Los Angeles Teen Blinded in One Eye by DHS Agent at 'No Kings' Rally, Attorney Says
The 18-year-old college freshman had to have his right eye surgically removed after a federal agent allegedly shot him in the head with a less-lethal weapon.
"There Is No Constitutional Right to Possess a Cell Phone in Class"
"Furthermore, to temporarily deprive a student of his cell phone during a class or a test and return it to them after the class or test is completed (or even at the conclusion of the school day) is not a constitutional violation."
You Don't Have To Like Kanye West To Hate His Ban From Britain
The British government has stopped the rapper from headlining at the London Wireless music festival. Why is that the British government's business?
Ron DeSantis Clamps Down on Free Speech in the Name of Fighting Terror
A new Florida law would allow state leaders to designate certain groups as terror organizations.
Why SCOTUS Ruled 8–1 Against Colorado's 'Conversion Therapy' Ban
Understanding the Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar.
Court Rejects Facial Challenge to Iowa Law Barring Public School K-6 Programming Related to "Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation"
The law provides, "A school district shall not provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six." The court held this wasn't unconstitutionally overbroad.
Mesa County Clerk Sentence Violated First Amendment by Relying on "Her Protected Speech Regarding Allegations of Election Fraud"
But the underlying conviction, for false statements related to getting someone access to Dominion Voting Systems election equipment, was upheld.
Sex Educators Say They're Being Harmed by Age Verification Laws
Plus: Wisconsin governor vetoes porn age-check bill, more charges for penis protester, the Komodo dragon theory of social media, and more...
Accusation of "Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence" for Allegedly Nonconsensually Posting Bondage Pictures May Be Defamatory
"Doe's assertion that distribution of intimate photos without consent has been considered sexual abuse and sexual violence, and therefore, his website is truthful ... presents factual issues, the resolution of which is not appropriate at the motion to dismiss stage."
What If the U.K. Had Free Speech Like the U.S.?
The U.K. said it would stop investigating "legal" social media posts, but free speech advocates demand more change.
No First Amendment Exception for Professional-Client Speech: States Can't Ban "Conversion Therapy" Speech for Minors
So the Supreme Court held today.
Social Media Is Not Tobacco
Plus: Hollywood is over, the war in Iran is not, Democrats are fighting about affordability, and more...
Government Actions Against Anthropic Are 'Classic First Amendment Retaliation'
Plus: the Facebook verdicts, porn star chatbots, facial recognition gone awry, drag queen regulation, and more…
Judge Rejects 'Orwellian Notion' That Anthropic Is a Supply Chain Risk for Disagreeing With the Government
Judge Rita Lin's preliminary injunction confirms what government officials had implicitly acknowledged: The supply chain risk designation was punishment, not policy.
Khan v. Yale University #TheyLied Case Dismissed Because of Plaintiff's "Egregious" Litigation Misconduct
Not the misconduct itself, but noted in the court's opinion as one of the items plaintiff had sought to withhold from discovery: "During a separate text conversation on May 11, 2018, Plaintiff texted Mr. Roe: 'If I had 5 dollars for every gender, I would have 5 dollars coz women are objects.'"
