More Age Verification Fallout: Artist Blogs Blocked, Porn Data Leaked, Traffic Boosts for Noncompliant Sites
Unintended—but entirely predictable—consequences abound!
Free Speech
Alan Dershowitz's Libel Case Over CNN's Coverage of His Defense in Trump Impeachment Thrown Out
"For a public figure like Dershowitz to prevail, defamation law has long required proof of a speaker's actual malice: knowledge of or reckless disregard for the falsity of a statement. But here, the available evidence points to the reporters’ sincere—if mistaken or even overwrought—belief in the truth of their accusations."
When Can Lawyers Be Punished for "Undignified or Discourteous" Criticism of Judges?
"Miss Manners has much to commend her within a polite and respectful society, but we are not her enforcement division."
Death Doulas Have First Amendment Right to Advise Clients Without Having to Get Funeral Services License
"[Indiana's] approach furthers the state's interests the way an atom bomb would further the eradication of a residential ant infestation."
California Law Restricting "Materially Deceptive" Election-Related Deepfakes Violates First Amendment
So a federal judge just held.
Can Vanderbilt Student Suspended for Alleged False Accusations Sue Vanderbilt Pseudonymously?
No, says, a District Court judge.
Delaware S. Ct. Rejects Defamation Claim Brought by Repair Shop Owner Who Provided Hunter Biden Laptop to Media
It also rejects Hunter Biden's invasion-of-privacy counterclaim, on statute of limitations grounds.
Burn, Baby, Burn
Plus: Government stake in Intel, inside the DNC, RFK Jr. brings back whole milk, and more...
Prosecutions Under New "Prosecuting Burning of the American Flag" Executive Order Would Violate First Amendment
And this is so even though the order targets flag desecration that could be punished under more neutral rules.
Alleged Retaliation by High School Coach Against Athlete Leads to First Amendment Claim
"Disputes between a high school coach and an athlete's parent are common, but most of those disputes do not lead to multiple internal investigations, a police report, and a federal lawsuit. This one did."
Trump's Executive Order Prohibiting Flag Burning Is Unconstitutional
The president is the last person who should confuse protected speech with incitement to violence.
Bluesky Blocks Mississippi Users
Age verification laws are already coming for Americans’ access to free speech.
No First Amendment Right to Spray Paint "Free Gaza" on State University of N.Y. Buildings
The court also rejected defendants' "necessity" defense.
Fifth Circuit: West Texas A&M Violated First Amendment by Blocking Student Group's Drag Show
The decision drew a sharp dissent. [UPDATE: The headline originally said Texas A & M, and has since been corrected to West Texas A & M; my apologies.]
Lawsuit by Hunter Biden's Lawyer Kevin Morris Against Conservative Activist Garrett Ziegler Can Go Forward
The remaining claims are for impersonation and portraying Morris in a false light by quoting out of context.
Trump Administration Sued for Violating Foreign Students' Free Speech Rights
The First Amendment protects everybody from the government, whether citizen or not.
The Anti-Porn Crusade Comes for Online Games
Activists pressure payment processors, who in turn pressure game marketplaces. The result? A whole lot of video games and visual novels are disappearing.
Arkansas Ban on Youth Gender Transition Procedures Upheld, Including Restriction on Referrals for Such Procedures
But the restriction appears to cover only referrals for illegal in-state procedures, and not referrals for legal out-of-state procedures.
Lower Crime Hasn't Stopped Gun Control Push
Plus: The National Guard deployed to D.C., the Trump-Putin meeting on Ukraine, Texas Democrats flee the state, and a listener question on free speech in the U.K.
