Who Owns Your Life Story? Free Speech Rules (Episode 4)
Episode 4 of Free Speech Rules, starring UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh
First Amendment
New Julian Assange Indictment Crushes the Hopes of Journalists Who Thought Their Press Passes Would Save Them
Don't believe the Justice Department when it reassures journalists that the WikiLeaks founder is uniquely guilty of violating the Espionage Act.
Dangerous Precedent Looms in Espionage Indictment Against Julian Assange
Plus: Naomi Wolf has no clue (again), gun site wins Section 230 case, and more...
Theory of Revised Julian Assange Indictment Could Apply to Ordinary Reporters
Under the government's theory in some of the charges, any reporter who knowingly prints certain kinds of government secrets could equally be prosecuted.
A Man Fights Back After His Profane Rant About a Deputy Ended in Harassment Charges
Jon Goldsmith called a local deputy a "stupid sum bitch" on Facebook, so the deputy's superior charged Goldsmith with writing a threatening statement.
The First Amendment Protects the Right to Work as a Tour Guide, Says Federal Judge
A Savannah, Georgia, law that required testing and licensing of tour guides is found unconstitutional.
Once Again, the Mongols Motorcycle Club Can Legally Keep Its Patch
The federal attempt to take the patch uniquely combines free speech violations and asset forfeiture.
Police Raid on Journalist's Home Has Grave First Amendment Implications
Bryan Carmody refused to name the source of a leaked police report.
'Fake News' Is a Really Dangerous Excuse for Censorship
The supposed plague of misleading and harmful information on the internet is nothing new, nor is governments' desire to muzzle anybody who says inconvenient things.
Jurassic Regulation
A new book reaches the right conclusions on telecom policy but suffers from anti-market myopia.
California Was Ready to Punish This Synagogue Shooter for Murder. The Feds Want to Make Sure He Is Also Punished for Hating Jews.
The federal hate crime charges against John T. Earnest are redundant and constitutionally problematic.
Charges Dropped Against Florida Man, Because the First Amendment Protects His "I Eat Ass" Bumper Sticker
No ifs, ands, or butts about it.
Twitter Suspends Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Parody Account for 'Spammy Behavior,' Which Seems Dubious
Conservatives say they are subject to a double standard.
Hail Satan? A New Documentary Shows Devil Worshipers Are Unlikely Defenders of the First Amendment
Director Penny Lane chronicles the rise of the Satanic Temple, a group that combines theatrical stunts with political activism.
The Satanic Temple Sues After a City Rejects Its Pentagram-Covered Veteran Monument
The group takes its First Amendment crusade to a public park in Minnesota.
Cancel Culture Comes for Counterculture Comics
Today it's creators, not cops, who want to banish R. Crumb, onetime king of the comics underground.
Hail Satan? A New Documentary Depicts Devil Worshipers as Unlikely Defenders of the First Amendment
Director Penny Lane chronicles the rise of the Satanic Temple, a group that combines theatrical stunts with political activism.
Rule Change on Abortion Referrals 'Creates Unreasonable Barriers' Says U.S. Judge
Plus: "we need a president who recognizes sex work as work," says Mike Gravel; how kid-friendly pot paraphernalia killed decriminalization; more...
Nabbing Robert Kraft Helped Florida Prosecutors Get Headlines. Now Kraft and Other Orchids of Asia Customers Are Fighting Back
They're joined by an arrested spa owner and manager in fighting the release of surveillance video, with an array of big media companies on the other side.
The PTO's Prissy, Puzzling Rules for Registering Trademarks Are Fuct Up
The owner of a clothing line asks the Supreme Court to overturn the ban on "scandalous" trademarks because it violates the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Case of a Rapper Convicted for His Anti-Cop Lyrics
The case drew support from rappers like Killer Mike, Chance the Rapper, and Meek Mill.
The Assange Exception to the First Amendment
Freedom of the press is not limited to "legitimate journalists."
Punishing Assange Isn't Worth Killing a Free Press: Reason Roundup
Plus: Christians and bureaucrats versus Tarot in Virginia, and Democratic candidates on restoring voting rights to prisoners
High School Suspends 2 Students for Posting Gun Range Photos on Snapchat, ACLU Files Suit
"Sharing our completely legal weekend activities on Snapchat should not result three days of in-school suspensions," Cody Conroy told Reason.
John McWhorter: America Has Never Been Less Racist
The Columbia University linguist discusses the Jussie Smollett hoax, Donald Trump, and "antiracism" as a new secular religion.
John McWhorter: America Has Never Been Less Racist
Columbia linguist John McWhorter on the Jussie Smollett hoax, Donald Trump, and "antiracism" as a new secular religion.
Fake News and the First Amendment: Free Speech Rules (Episode 3)
Episode 3 of Free Speech Rules, starring UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh
Activists Disrupt Law Professor's Talk at the University of Chicago
"This is not a terribly effective tactic of persuasion, loudly yelling so students can't hear."
Texas Would Rather Ban All Chaplains from Execution Chambers Than Placate One Buddhist Inmate in His Final Moments
Equal treatment under the law can mean everyone is treated equally poorly
Georgia Bill Would Mandate 'Journalism Ethics Board.' What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Journalists would be expected to pay up for government records, while handing over their own records to government officials for free.
Arizona Students Arrested for Interrupting a Border Patrol Event Have Free Speech Rights, Too
"There is simply not enough information...to confirm that the protestors' conduct, taken as a whole, constituted unprotected disruption."
Application to Release Grand Jury Material Quoted in Mueller Report
Since I've been blogging today about public rights of access to sealed files, I thought I'd pass this along.
Mark Zuckerberg: 'I Believe We Need a More Active Role for Governments and Regulators'
Facebook and the end of the open Internet era
Brett Kavanaugh Explains Why He Voted to Grant Buddhist Inmate's Stay of Execution
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 last night to grant Patrick Murphy's petition for a stay.
Busybodies on Both Sides of the Atlantic Are Trying to Kill the Internet
Plus: Senators move to end warrantless NSA spying and the "Paycheck Fairness Act" passes the House.
Teen Girl Kicked Off Cheerleading Team for Saying 'Fuck Cheer' Wins First Amendment Lawsuit
Students have the right to complain about school.
Trump: 'Universities Have Tried to Impose Total Conformity. That Changes Starting Right Now.'
The president signed an executive order supporting free speech on college campuses.
Trump Will Sign Executive Order Requiring Colleges To Promote 'Free Inquiry' If They Want Federal Research Funds
"It is the policy of the federal government to encourage institutions to foster environments that promote open, intellectually engaging, and diverse debate."
Sen. Menendez Calls for Twitter to Stop Spreading Software That Can Help Make Weapons
Press release from Jersey senator asks Twitter to censor specific user @ivanthetroll12.
Devin Nunes Milks Fake Cow Account on Twitter For Nonsense Lawsuit
Plus: SCOTUS declines Hawaii lesbian case, UC stands by professor in free speech standoff, and ACLU warns of "privacy Trojan horse."
Conservatives Want UC-Davis to Fire a Professor Who Welcomed Violence Against Cops
Joshua Clover has a First Amendment right to say horrible things about the police.
Trump Keeps Wondering Why People Are Allowed to Make Fun of Him on TV
The "equal time" rule does not mean what the president thinks it means.
Government to Pizzeria: You Can Paint a Mural, Just Not One That Features Pizza
Arlington County's free-speech-trampling sign code forbids businesses from depicting the goods they sell on exterior murals.
A Tattooed Libertarian on the Arizona Supreme Court: Clint Bolick's Long Fight for Freedom
Q&A with the co-founder of Institute for Justice about immigration, his legal philosophy, his battles with Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and that tattoo.
Maybe Now We Can Finally Read This Star Trek/Dr. Seuss Mash-Up
Federal judge's ruling in a fair-use lawsuit "is a big win for the First Amendment."
Colorado and Baker End Fight Over Whether He Can Be Forced To Make a Transgender Cake
Both sides agree to stand down. First Amendment precedents were on the baker's side.
Sacramento Police Detain Reporter Covering Stephon Clark Protests, Tie Hands Behind His Back
Police allegedly shoved a photographer to the ground with a baton as well.
In Editor's Note, The Washington Post Admits Early Covington Reporting Was Flawed. Nicholas Sandmann's Attorney Says That's Not Good Enough.
"The Sandmanns would never accept half of a half-measure from an organization that still refuses to own up to its error."