donal brown

Parents fight back against book banning

Greg Sargent, The Washington Post, May 17, 2023, reports that those against censorship are organizing to counter the right wing’s book banning. A Florida lawsuit filed by parents in federal court seeks a halt to book banning in their school libraries. The parents want their children exposed to ideas that the district thinks are harmful to children. Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times, May 19, 2023, describes how Lindsay Durtschi, one of the parents in

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Supreme Court rules internet companies not responsible for terrorist attacks

Section 230 survives for now as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Google and Twitter were not liable for overseas terrorist attacks. The court found that the companies had not “aided and abetted” the terrorists. (ABC News, May 19, 2023, by Devin Dwyer) The court failed to address whether Section 230 that protects companies from liability for content users post was too broad. The court determined it would not have to address that question

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Citizens sue Montana over TikTok ban

TikTok creators sued in federal court over Montana’s ban of TikTok, arguing that the ban stifles free speech. The creators claim that Montana has no authority to address national security concerns in banning the app. Many in Montana claim the app is necessary to conduct business and communicate with family members. (Courthouse News Service, May 18, 2023, by Alanna Madden) Montana legislators say the ban is needed to keep American’s personal information from being exploited

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Cyber attack disrupts Philadelphia Inquirer

A cyber attack prevented the Philadelphia Inquirer from printing its Sunday edition and caused them to send their employees home at least through Tuesday, May 15. The attack comes during the Democratic primary in the mayoral race. (Axios, May 16, by Sam Sabin) An editor and union leader said that the staff was used to working remotely during the pandemic and could turn out the newspaper without being in the news room. The Inquirer released

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Trump tries to quash Georgia grand jury report

Prominent news organizations are opposing former president Donald Trump’s efforts to expunge the report from the special grand jury investigating the efforts of Trump and his allies to change the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election. In a court filing Trump claimed that publication of the report violated his right to due process. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 15, 2023, by Bill Rankin) The lawyers for the news organizations said the report was of great concern

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