PBS’s MediaShift lists eleven top stories in media law for 2011

MediaShift’s top media law stories for 2011 include journalists’ coverage of Occupy movements; the proposed online piracy legislation; net neutrality; coverage of live police actions; Righthaven and the “hot news” doctrine. -db From a commentary in MediaShift, December 23, 2011, by Rob Arcamona, Jeff Hermes and Andy Sellars. Full story

Chicago doctors bring defamation suit against Google after negative online review

Two Chicago doctors are suing Google for a review complaining of “facial lumps” after plastic surgery. The doctors want $50 million for damage to their reputation. The review most likely appeared on Google Place, a site allowing users to rate local businesses and post comments. -db From paidContent, November 4, 2011, by Jeff Roberts. Full [...]

Political turmoil: Social media face challenges in remaining neutral

Social media sites are struggling to achieve the right balance in remaining neutral during the Middle East and North Africa uprisings and allowing freedom of expression. A recent case in which Flickr removed photos of officers from Egypt’s state security force demonstrated the difficulties. Is it feasible in some instances to remain neutral when people [...]

Journalist urges newspaper industry to work for free and open Internet

MediaShift Opinion January 31, 2011 By Kat Aaron The newspaper industry has been buffeted by the advent of the Internet, but it would be unwise of them, says journalist Kat Aaron, to stand by without fighting for net neutrality and a free and open Internet. -db Tagged:

Internet freedom reaffirmed in recent Chicago case

While the Blockowicz parents suffered greatly from scurrilous posts about their daughter, First Amendment Center’s Douglas Lee says their attempt to force a website to remove the posts was rightly denied in federal court thus making the internet “an even freer environment for speech.” -db First Amendment Center Commentary January 27, 2011 By Douglas Lee [...]

Net Neutrality primer draws a picture of pay-per-click future

When Verizon offered an Android-platform phone that only allowed the Bing search engine, locking out Google and all others, web designer Michael Ciarlo became an activist for Net Neutrality. His simple primer at TheOpenInter.Net should help to bring the geeky subject into focus for the rest of us. from Why I Created TheOpenInter.net By Michael [...]

Government net neutrality proposal draws widespread criticism

The new Federal Communications Commission net neutrality proposal was criticized by both liberals and conservatives, the latter for its potential for excessive regulation and the former for its guidelines favoring the rich and powerful. -db National Journal December 1, 2010 By David Hatch and Eliza Krigman U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined a framework [...]

Will net neutrality survive Republican surge?

A writer for ReadWriteWeb says that while Republicans would be unlikely to keep Internet providers from blocking Web traffic, they are not likely to have a great effect nor is the Federal Commuications Commission showing any inclination to bolster net neutrality. -db ReadWriteWeb Analysis November 7, 2010 By Audrey Watters Following last week’s U.S. midterm [...]

Federal judge dismisses ‘cyber libel’ suit

A federal district court judge ruled that the federal Communications Decency Act protected a news station from charges of libel after it allowed readers to post comments about a news anchor’s arrest for cocaine possession. A grand jury subsequently voted not to indict her. -db Online Media Daily September 1, 2010 By Wendy Davis A [...]

Franken: Net neutrality is foremost free speech issue of our time

Commentary from Sen. Al Franken, elected to the Senate as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party from Minnesota. CNN Opinion August 5, 2010 CNN Editor’s note: He was sworn in July 2009 after a statewide hand recount. Before he joined the Senate, he spent 37 years as a comedy writer, author and radio talk show [...]

Senator: Internet gatekeepers biggest threat to free speech [VIDEO]

Comedian-turned-senator Al Franken (D-MN) has ditched the potty jokes and Stuart Smalley routine since taking office, turning himself into a surprisingly articulate and strident voice in favor of net neutrality and against the Comcast/NBC merger. Arts Technica July 28, 2010 By Nate Anderson Back in February, when a Senate hearing offered him the chance to [...]

Net neutrality legislation could ensnare free speech

Critics say a bill introduced in the House of Representatives to ensure net neutrality would require a news outfit such as the Wall Street Journal to carry news from all news outlets, violating their free speech rights. -db PC World Opinion May 12, 2010 By Grant Gross U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns wants so badly to [...]

Free internet depends on establishing ‘net neutrality’

While the European Union is rejecting the principles of an open internet, the United States with leadership from the Obama administration favors ”net neutrality”, policies the provides equal access to the internet without any restrictions on accessing content.No company or government would be allowed to restrict use except to safeguard security and to fix temporary technical glitches.-DB MediaShift Commentary [...]