On the heels of news that the Justice Department seized phone records of Associated Press reporters, the Obama administration has further roiled the press with the revelation that a Fox News reporter was named in a court affidavit as a co-conspirator in the leak of classified information on North Korean missile activity. The case centered [...]
A&A: School district denies all complaint related CPRA requests
Q: According to Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 4630: “All parties involved in allegations in a complaint shall be notified when a complaint is filed, when a complaint meeting or hearing is scheduled, and when a decision or ruling is made.” Allegations via the above code were filed against our family by parents [...]
Federal appeals court hears case on Facebook ‘like’ as protected speech
The Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether a Facebook “like” should enjoy protection as free speech under the First Amendment. An employee of the Hampton, Virginia sheriff’s department was fired after clicking the “like” button on the sheriff’s political opponent’s Facebook page. (Bloomberg News, May 16, 2013, by Tom Schoenberg) A [...]
A&A: Facebook comments deleted from Senator’s page
Q: I am wondering if it is legal or legitimate for a government official, for example a NYS Senator or U.S. Senator, to block me from commenting on what I presume to be their Facebook page that is managed by them or a government employee on government payroll time? I have had this happen to [...]
A&A: Can an individual publish a legal notice in a newspaper??
Q: Is there any legal reason why an individual would not be allowed to place a paid legal notice in a newspaper? The content is to inform the public about a woman being unlawfully tormented and hunted in the judicial system. A: I believe you are asking whether a newspaper that publishes legal notices is [...]
Administration dives for cover in AP phone record incident
Attorney General Eric Holder defended the seizure of Associated Press phone records in an investigation of leaks involving the CIA, saying that it was necessary to uphold national security. (The New York Times, May 14, 2013, by Charlie Savage and Scott Shane) But to insure that everyone believed their statements about the importance of free [...]
Appeal in free speech case over graphic abortion images
The Thomas Moore Society has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Colorado Supreme Court decision in a case in which an anti-abortion protester was ruled disruptive for displaying large photos of aborted fetuses near a Palm Sunday procession with about 200 children present. Some of the children were upset by [...]
Scandal over Bloomberg use of client data
Bloomberg News reporters were using the company’s financial data terminals to monitor login activity to gain an edge in covering market and trading news. Bloomberg editor-in-chief Matthew Winkler admitted the practice was long standing and apologized saying it was an inexcusable error. (The New York Times, May 13, 2013, by Amy Chozick) After JKMorganChase complained [...]
Justice Department seizes AP phone records
The Justice Department authorized a confiscation of phone records of Associated Press reporters and editors that many feel is an egregious attack on freedom of the press. The government’s action is thought to be part of an investigation into the leaking of information a year ago about a foiled Yemen-based plot to bomb an airliner. [...]
Dating imperiled by government speech mandate
The Departments of Justice and Education are ordering every U.S. college and university to enact speech codes that include restrictions on expression on sexual topics that offend any person; sexually themed jokes that are considered offensive; and requests for dates or flirtation not welcomed by the recipient.”…the Departments of Justice and Education have mandated a [...]
