Latest First Amendment News
Free-speech news from the First Amendment Center online.
Judges must avoid appearance of bias, Supreme Court rules
In 5-4 decision, majority says West Virginia high court justice should have recused himself from lawsuit filed against company run by the most generous supporter of his election.
Fla. high court won't block state bar's brief in gay-adoption case
Christian legal group, which says bar's friend-of-court brief against state's gay-adoption ban violates free speech, may appeal decision to U.S. Supreme Court.
Use First Amendment freedoms to debate Second Amendment issues
By Gene Policinski It's misguided to try to shut down debate on campuses and elsewhere over allowing students and staff to carry firearms for self-defense.
Federal court dismisses wiretapping lawsuits against telecoms
Meanwhile, judge defers decision on whether to sanction government for refusing to turn over top secret document in one of the few warrantless-surveillance cases still pending.
Yahoo sues NFL union over players' stats
Web giant says it shouldn't have to pay royalties to use players' statistics, photos and other data in its online fantasy football game because info is already publicly available.
9th Circuit: School's punishment didn't violate teen's free speech
Three-judge panel won't reinstate lawsuit filed by parents of Southern California boy who killed himself after he was disciplined for skipping school to join an immigration rally.
Lawsuit says spinoff book not authorized by Salinger
Author sues to stop publication of sequel to The Catcher in the Rye by John David California.
Ill. lawmakers approve campaign-contribution cap
Governor has said he supports measure, which would put in place state's first-ever limits on political donations.
Federal court tosses Fla. 'electioneering' law
State plans to appeal after judge finds statute 'inevitably results in prohibiting the political speech' of organizations that discuss issues, candidates even though they don't take sides.
Tobacco companies lose appeal in landmark case
D.C. Circuit upholds requirements that manufacturers change how they market cigarettes.
Obama nominates Sonia Sotomayor for high court
2nd Circuit judge was prosecutor before President George H.W. Bush appointed her to federal bench in 1992.
Craigslist CEO sues S.C. over prosecution threat
Federal lawsuit claims state attorney general's threat to file prostitution charges against company violates its executives' constitutional rights.
Texas film board accused of censorship
Makers of 'Waco' say state commission bowed to political pressure in denying their application for tax incentives, but official says decision was based on factual inaccuracies in script.
Justices won't halt trial of former La. congressman
Lower court also rejected William Jefferson's claims that federal grand jury received evidence that violated his constitutional right to legislative immunity.
Icon of Freedom
M. Jamal Fields
National Leadership Fellow
A principal in Modesto, California, Jamal Fields is a National Leadership Fellow with the Five Freedoms Project. His ideal school is a place where "kids and adults are on a journey of discovery together. Students, staff and families are actively engaged in the practice of democracy every day. Students engage in important work that is meaningful and productive toward making a better society. And the school is fluid in the content it addresses but consistent in teaching the big ideas of citizenship in a democratic society."
