'Real' Journalists Recognize That Prosecuting Julian Assange Poses a Grave Threat to Freedom of the Press
The Justice Department’s discretion is the only thing that protects them from a similar fate.
First Amendment
Major Media Outlets Condemn Continued Prosecution of Julian Assange
The open letter warns the indictment “threatens to undermine America’s First Amendment and the freedom of the press.”
Abortion Rights Advocates Ask DOJ To Defend Section 230
While "the 26 words that created the internet" have been under fire from both sides, two groups argue that the 1996 law is essential to the future of abortion rights.
Two Federal Judges Say New York's Presumptive Prohibition of Guns on Private Property Is Unconstitutional
The state's ban applies unless the property owner posts a sign allowing firearms or otherwise gives "express consent."
California's COVID-19 'Misinformation' Law Chills Constitutionally Protected Speech
The state is threatening to punish doctors whose advice deviates from the "scientific consensus."
No, You Don't Have a First Amendment Right To Get Your Speech Aired on Cable News
On Tuesday night, Trump spokesperson Liz Harrington made the baffling claim that, if mainstream news channels failed to air the former president's campaign announcement in full, it would mean that "we do not have the First Amendment."
A Federal Court Blocks Florida's Stop WOKE Act. Again.
On Thursday, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction against the portion of the law applying to higher education, with one judge describing the law as "positively dystopian."
The ACLU Says California's Ban on COVID-19 'Misinformation' From Doctors Is Gratuitous and Unconstitutional
Two chapters of the organization say the law violates the First Amendment.
A Michigan Mayor Tried To Stop Constituents From Criticizing Her. Now, They're Suing.
Monique Owens shouted over critical speakers at a September city council meeting, claiming it was her "First Amendment right."
Elon Musk Owns Twitter, So the Rules Are Going To Be Whatever He Wants
If the bird site's new owner wants to protect free speech, he should focus on resisting government requests to remove content.
Lawsuits Keep Rolling Back Unconstitutional Vegan 'Meat' Bans
No one is confused about whether Tofurky is turkey.
This Professor Was Fired for Her Political Speech. Now, She's Getting Her Job Back.
Collin College fired Suzanne Jones in 2021, after she voiced support for union activity and the removal of Confederate monuments.
This Court Case Could Make It a Crime To Be a Journalist in Texas
Priscilla Villarreal found herself in a jail cell for publishing two routine stories. A federal court still can't decide what to do about that.
Section 230 Heads to the Supreme Court
The crucial protector of internet speech might have some cracks in its armor.
Doctors Say a California Law Targeting Clinicians Who Share COVID-19 'Misinformation' Is Unconstitutional
The law authorizes regulators to discipline physicians who deviate from the "contemporary scientific consensus."
Senator Dick Durbin Doesn't Understand the First Amendment
On Tuesday, the senator erroneously claimed that "free speech does not include spreading misinformation."
United States of America Pageants Has First Amendment Right To Exclude Transgender Women, Court Says
Plus: The emptiness of Democrats' pro-democracy rhetoric, the real reason Social Security checks are getting bigger, and more...
The Babylon Bee Joins The Onion in Decrying an Ohio Law That Makes Parody a Felony
The two fake news organizations want the Supreme Court to review the case of a man who was arrested for making fun of the police.
Twitter Was Toxic Long Before Musk Took Over
Plus: Hate speech is free speech, tax gap is stable, and more...
DHS Still Policing Disinformation Despite Dissolving Disinformation Governance Board
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI regularly report misinformation and disinformation to tech companies for potential removal.
What Can Professors Say in Public?
My new paper on the First Amendment, Pickering balancing, and extramural speech
Musk Says He Bought Twitter 'To Help Humanity,' Pledges Not To Let It Become a 'Free-for-All Hellscape'
Plus: Charlottesville cracks down on city employee speech, judge dismisses "blackout challenge" lawsuit against TikTok, and more...
Yes, You Can Yell 'Fire' in a Crowded Theater
On Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito repeated the common myth that "shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater" is unprotected speech.
Bikini Baristas Win Lawsuit Over Unconstitutional Dress Code
Plus: Fiona Apple fights for court transparency, ACLU asks SCOTUS to consider boycott ban, and more...
Union Group Tries To Bully L.A. Times Into Burying Racist Remarks
Plus: Copyright versus the internet, roofer helping rebuild hurricane-damaged Florida houses arrested for lack of Florida license, and more...
A Campus Pro-Life Group Faced Criticism. Now, It Demands That Its Detractors Be 'Reprimanded.'
Students for Life at George Mason University claims that another student organization defamed the group by criticizing its event that compared abortion to slavery and segregation.
Mocking the Police Is Not a Crime
A First Amendment case prompts The Onion to explain how parody works.
The University of Idaho Tries To Force Faculty To Remain 'Neutral' on Abortion
The policy, released this week, places unconstitutional prohibitions on faculty speech.
1st Amendment Protects Activist Recordings of Factory Farms, Rules Federal Judge
While animal-rights activists still risk trespassing charges, the state of Iowa cannot make it illegal to record while trespassing on private property.
A Parodist Asks SCOTUS To Let Him Sue the Cops Who Arrested Him for Making Fun of Them
The 6th Circuit ruled that qualified immunity prevented Anthony Novak from vindicating his First Amendment rights.
Subreddit Gets Users To Call Texas Gov. Greg Abbott a 'Little Piss Baby' To Defy Content Moderation Law
Reddit users are protesting Texas' H.B. 20, which forces social media platforms to host speech they find objectionable.
Germany's Criminalization of Online Offensiveness Shows the Perils of Weakening the First Amendment
A crackdown on insults, hate speech, and misinformation punishes dissenters who express themselves in ways that offend government officials.
Biden-Backed DISCLOSE Act Would Dox Donors to Groups That Run Political Ads
Plus: Student drag shows are protected speech, a bank CEO rebuffs Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and more...
Tennessee Tech Punishes Student Groups Who Hosted Drag Performances
Even though it might cause pearl-clutching, there is nothing obscene about drag shows.
The Government Can't Fix Social Media Moderation and Should Not Try
Democrats and Republicans both demand solutions that are inconsistent with the First Amendment.
Federal Judges Uphold Texas Law Regulating What Social Media Platforms May Censor
It’s a terrible ruling that misunderstands years of First Amendment precedents. And it’s increasingly likely that the Supreme Court will have to intervene.
There's No Way FOSTA Isn't a First Amendment Violation, Says Lawsuit
The case is now on appeal after a lower court said the ban on websites promoting prostitution didn't concern protected speech.
Biden's Sneaky Censors
Behind the scenes, federal officials pressure social media platforms to suppress disfavored speech.
Federal Judge Blocks Arizona Law Making It Illegal To Film Cops Within 8 Feet
"The Court fails to see how the presence of a person recording a video near an officer interferes with the officer's activities," the judge wrote.
Almost 40 Percent of College Students Feel Uncomfortable Sharing a Controversial Opinion in Class
A new survey from FIRE shows one-third of college students report it is “sometimes” or “always” acceptable to shout down a controversial campus speaker.
These Emails Show How the Biden Administration's Crusade Against 'Misinformation' Imposes Censorship by Proxy
Social media companies are eager to appease the government by suppressing disfavored speech.
Virginia Can't Force Bookstores To Card Kids for Books on Gender and Sexuality
An effort to ban sales of two books to minors ended with a Virginia judge saying that the state’s obscenity statute is “unconstitutional on its face."
Minnesota Engineering Board Fines, Censures Engineer-Activist for Calling Himself an Engineer
Licensing authorities are penalizing Strong Towns founder Charles Marohn for referring to himself as a professional engineer while his license was briefly expired.
California Tries To Make It Illegal for Doctors To Spread COVID-19 'Misinformation'
If AB 2098 is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it should face a First Amendment challenge.
A Psychiatric Facility Punishes Residents With Painful Electric Shocks. Now It's Trying To Sue Its Critics.
The Judge Rotenberg Center, which has been condemned by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, is suing a small nonprofit for defamation after they published a survey critical of the school's practices.
The Student Loan Debate Shows How the ACLU Has Lost Its Way
The venerable champion of civil liberties is increasingly indistinguishable from myriad progressive advocacy groups.
This Tennessee Town Claims Restricting Protests Helps 'Facilitate' the First Amendment
A new ordinance in Franklin will restrict evening and weekend protests and subject violators to misdemeanor charges.
'FUCK' Belongs to Everyone
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board determined this week that an applicant cannot have the exclusive rights to everybody's favorite curse word.
