The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is considering a lawsuit brought by a citizen journalist protesting her arrest, charges later dismissed, for publishing information obtained from a police officer before it was made public. The Loredo, Texas journalist claims that what she was doing was routine journalism, but Loredo lawyers said Priscilla Villarreal went through back channels, had an intent to benefit from the publication, and it was conduct, not free speech at issue. (Courthouse News Service, January 25, 2023, by Cameron Langford)
Chief Judge Priscilla Richman is on the record in supporting the police in arresting Villarreal and regarding the “intent to benefit” tenant in the Texas law, cited her fees for supporting local businesses and solicitations to obtain money for equipment needed to support her journalism. (Reason, January 24, 2023, by Billy Binion)