New California student free press law aims to stop prior restraint of student publications in charter schools

The adviser of a high school newspaper in Orange County, California says a revised publication policy at the charter school, the Orange County High School of the Arts, is in conflict with a proposed state law inspired by alleged censorship problems at the school.-DB

Student Press Law Center
January 13, 2010
By Stefanie Dazio

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — [...]

Court rules CIA did not violate Valerie Plame’s rights

The CIA did not violate Valerie Plame’s 1st Amendment rights the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York City (2nd Cir.) has ruled. Including dates of service in her memoir including them in her memoir would still violate the secrecy agreement she signed when she joined the CIA.
Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press
New York [...]

San Diego ACLU challenges alleged violations of college employees’ free speech rights

In a letter to the Southwestern College president, the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego urged him to repudiate his actions restricting a peaceful demonstration on campus to protest budget cuts. -DB

ACLU San Diego and Imperial Counties
Press Release
November 9, 2009
Saying that a public college “must uphold the highest possible commitment to freedom of speech [...]

Parents ask court to block two plays at Nevada high school

A group of parents in a Las Vegas suburb are asking a county court to block “Rent” and “The Laramie Project” from opening November 16. They claim the plays portray gay characters and are not suitable for high school students. -DB

Courthouse News Service
October 26, 2009
By Nick Divito
LAS VEGAS (CN) – A group of parents seek [...]

Military prohibits images of troops killed in action in Afghanistan

New rules governing journalists embedded in a military unit in Afghanistan prohibit photos or videos of U.S. troops killed in action. This revises early guidelines allowing images of death so long as the Department of Defense had notified  the troops’ family. -DB
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
October 9, 2009
By Amanda Becker
The agreement journalists [...]

School administrators defy California law on students’ free press rights

Administrators at the Orange County High School of the Arts censored the school newspaper for reporting that the cafeteria service provider was a Christian company, but legal experts say under state law that would not be sufficient reason for suspending publication. -DB
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
September 11, 2009
By Scott Martindale
SANTA ANA – Two leading authorities on [...]

Reporters committee files brief supporting decriminalization of animal cruelty coverage

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to strike a federal law that makes it a crime to create or sell depictions of animal cruelty. –DB
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Press Release
July 24, 2009
By Rory Eastburg
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press today filed [...]