Justice Department asks federal judge to keep illegal Watergate wiretaps sealed
The Justice Department argued in court papers that under federal wiretap laws, the government could not allow access to the Watergate illegal wiretaps “based on historical or scholarly interest.” -db...
View ArticleDefamation: California appeals court sides with teacher on ‘prostitute’...
A California teacher won a round in court when a state appeals court ruled that when she compared her gum-chewing student to a prostitute chewing gum, it was not a statement of objective fact and...
View ArticleFederal judge locks down enforcement of ban on doctors discussing gun dangers...
A federal judge ruled for doctors who claimed that a Florida law forbidding them from discussing guns with patients violated their free speech rights. The judge said the law was vague, failing to give...
View ArticleCalifornia appeals court upholds juvenile judge in barring juvenile from gang...
A California minor lost a round in court in his attempts to challenge a juvenile court judge’s ruling that prohibited him from associating with gang members or possessing gang clothing, tattoos or...
View ArticleConservative judge criticizes Supreme Court decision Citizens United
A prominent conservative jurist, Richard Posner, finds fault with the ruling Citizens United, arguing that the decision on campaign finance fosters bribery. -db From The Daily Beast, July 14, 2012, by...
View ArticleGovernment’s dangerous crackdown on whistle-blowers
In a New York Times op-ed, two esteemed First Amendment advocates argue that the Private Bradley Manning case underscores a grave threat to the press and public — no matter what you think of Manning’s...
View ArticleWhen one person’s free speech is another’s threat
A San Francisco Chronicle columnist asserts that the city is more amenable to free speech when the speech is more agreeable to the city. Debra J. Saunders cites a proposal by city Supervisor David...
View ArticleFox News reporter faces jail or betrayal of source
A reporter for Fox News says she won’t reveal her source or sources for a story that Aurora, Colo., mass-shooting suspect James Holmes had sent a notebook to a psychiatrist indicating intent to kill...
View ArticleCourt upholds paper’s right to publish minor’s name
A California appellate court has ruled that newspapers have a constitutional right to publish the names of children who suffer abuse, as long as the name is newsworthy. According to the Sacramento Bee,...
View ArticleA First Amendment right to dispute a parking ticket?
A limo driver’s angry tiff with a San Francisco parking control officer is headed for a showdown in federal court. The two engaged in a roiling disagreement that allegedly culminated in the...
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