Professor censors profanity on student free speech wall
October 3, 2011 by donal brown
Filed under 1st Amendment News, Freedom of Speech / Press, News & Opinion
A Sam Houston State University professor removed an insult to President Barack Obama posted by a student on the student free speech wall. Incensed by the censorship, students reported the vandalism to the campus police. Rather than come to the aid of the student in support of the First Amendment, the police threatened students with [...]
Federal judge in Arkansas dismisses defamation suit against Dixie Chicks
December 3, 2009 by donal brown
Filed under 1st Amendment News, Freedom of Speech / Press, News & Opinion
A federal district court dismissed a defamation suit against the Dixie Chicks over a letter on their website that asked for support for the “West Memphis Three”, then teenagers, convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys in 1993. Two HBO documentaries cast doubt on the guilt of the teenagers. -DB Citizen Media Law Project Opinion December [...]
Jury reinforces tenant that truth is defense in libel cases
October 14, 2009 by donal brown
Filed under 1st Amendment News, Freedom of Speech / Press, News & Opinion
In a closely watched trial, a Massachusetts jury found that a truthful mass e-mail criticizing an office supply company employee is not libelous because it was not sent with actual malice. A federal appeals court had found that the truth can be libelous. -DB The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press October 13, 2009 [...]









