Free Speech
Racial Slurs Aren't "Obscene"
They thus can't be punished under a disturbing the peace law that bans "obscene language," though under the right circumstances they could be punished under separate provisions that generally ban "fighting words" (whether racially offensive or otherwise).
Dr. Seuss' Books Gained Popularity After They Were Removed
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and other titles shot up Amazon's bestseller list after being self-censored by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
George Dawes Green: Why the Past—and Storytelling—Is Never Dead
The creator of The Moth talks about why the past is never dead, especially in his new novel The Kingdoms of Savannah.
He Was Arrested for Promoting Jury Nullification. A Federal Court Says That Was Illegal.
Michael Picard's free speech rights were violated when he was booked for telling passersby to "Google Jury Nullification."
Court Upholds Bioweapons Conviction for 'Shit Talking' About Licking Groceries
Plus: Researches challenges "chemical imbalance" theory of depression, contraception denial on trial, and more...
Federal Prosecutor Sets Up Hotline for Reporting, Among Other Things, People "Espousing … Hate-Filled Views"
"In Massachusetts, we have recently seen multiple incidents of groups espousing deeply offensive and hurtful ideologies displayed on our streets."
Zuby: 'When I'm in the U.S., My Mind Is Blown by the Opportunities Here'
The "British by birth" and "Nigerian by blood" rapper and podcaster thinks Americans don't fully appreciate the freedom they have.
U.K. Rapper Zuby: 'When I'm in the U.S., My Mind Is Blown by the Opportunities Here'
The rapper, podcaster, and author talks about "freedom, liberty, and all of that good stuff."
John Cleese's War on Wokeism
The Monty Python legend says political correctness is ruining creativity in all aspects of human activity.
Dav Pilkey's The Adventures of Ook and Gluk Is Charming, Not Racist
Pilkey's whole gag is that the censorial impulse is ridiculous and kids instinctively know it should be mocked.
Facebook, Instagram Posts Flagged as False for Rejecting Biden's Recession Wordplay
"The fact-checking industry has become a partisan arbiter of political disputes," notes Phil Magness.
The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
John Cleese: Wokeism Is the Enemy of Comedy—and Creativity
The Monty Python legend says political correctness poisons thinking in all areas of human activity.
After 'Censorship' Claims, Hulu Will Air Democrats' Abortion and Gun Ads
Plus: DeSantis threatens Miami restaurant over drag performances, Hawley blasts Amazon acquisition that might lower health care prices, and more…
Is Penn Jillette Still a Libertarian?
The larger, louder half of Penn & Teller on Donald Trump, COVID, masks, vaccines, mandates, and what comes next for freedom.
Libel! I Wasn't Accused of Killing Anyone in April -- Only in May
From a libel case filed by accused triple murderer Brice Rhodes
Lady Chatterley's Lover Case Dealt a Blow to U.S. Book Censors
Up through the 1950s, federal agents kept confiscating books they deemed obscene. But in 1959, a judge ruled that D.H. Lawrence's book deserved First Amendment protection.
Nicholas Sandmann's Libel Lawsuits Against Several Media Outlets Dismissed
All the lawsuits stem from the media's quoting Nathan Phillips' claims that Sandmann was "block[ing Phillips'] way" at a demonstration by the Lincoln Memorial.
Penn Jillette: Did His Libertarianism Survive Trump and COVID?
The larger, louder half of Penn & Teller talks masks, vaccines, compassion, Bob Dylan, and much, much more.
No Pseudonymity in Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Over State Bar Character & Fitness Inquiry
"[H]arm to one's reputation or injury to one's standing in the community does not warrant a deviation from the strong presumption of public access[.]"
Do You Have a Right To Run Subway Ads Criticizing High Subway Fares?
A rider advocacy group says the Montreal's transit agency violated its free speech rights by refusing to run ads critical of recent fare hikes.
Poll: Tech Regulation Should Focus on Privacy and Security—Not Breaking Up Big Tech Companies
Plus: Arizona prisons censor The Nation, Facebook's feed changes, and more...
Parties Can't Seal Entire (Settled) Case Despite Risk of "Reputational Damage and Embarrassment"
"[W]e apply the strongest presumption of public access to the Memorandum Opinion issued by this Court ..., which, as an official decision of the Court, is considered the 'quintessential business of the public's institutions,' and is 'core to the transparency of the court's decisionmaking process.''"
Court Makes It Easier for Plaintiffs to Win Libel Lawsuits Against #MeToo Claimants
A potentially very important 2-1 decision today from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which held that such a #MeToo post wasn’t on a “matter of public concern,” and was thus less protected by the First Amendment.
Court Voids Injunction Blocking Newspaper from Publishing Erroneously Released Names of Police in Shooting
The Florida "Marsy's Law," which protects crime victims, doesn't affect the analysis, even if police officers are treated as victims of the person they shot (who they say was threatening them with a knife).
Hobbes' Leviathan and Thousands of Others Were Off-Limits to Catholics
Leviathan was a challenge to the governing independence of the Holy See.
You Can't Stop Pirate Libraries
Where there's demand for books, the internet will supply them.
Little Libraries, Free at Last?
Good news for fans of literacy and opponents of restrictive zoning codes