French panel rejects internet ban for those accused of copyright violations invoking the French constitution, Article 11, the right of freedom of speech, a French panel charged with measuring laws against the constitution, ruled that the government could not ban citizens from the internet just from allegations that they violated copyrights. -DB Electronic Frontier Foundation Commentary June 10, 2009 By Danny O’Brien Before legislation becomes law in France, it must pass the muster of the

Front page exposé leads to theft of UC Riverside newspaper Nearly 2,000 copies of the University of California at Riverside student newspaper, the Highlander, were stolen from the distribution racks after an article about the former student government president. Without authorization, she allegedly spent $5,000 flying to a conference. The newspaper staff was disappointed by the university’s investigation into the newspaper theft. -DB Student Press Law Center June 4, 2009 By Catherine MacDonald CALIFORNIA — Staffers

Newspaper editor objects to federal subpoena of identities of web posters When the Las Vegas Review-Journal published an article on a federal tax evasion trial, They were shocked to get a subpoena from the U.S. attorney for the identities of the almost 100 readers who had posted comments on the article. Editor Thomas Mitchell does not see any legitimacy for the request and considers it a slap at those who dare criticize the government. -DB

Southern California lawmaker wants state budget crisis talks public After Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger failed to get voter approval of a budget, Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, wants to make public all legislative deliberations on eliminating the $24 million budget shortfall . -DB The Press-Enterprise June 7, 2009 By Jim Miller SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers struggling to close a $24 billion budget shortfall may have to go without the approach that has produced many major

Associated Press reporter disciplined for Facebook comment AP put a reprimand letter in the file of one of their reporters who had posted a criticism of the McClatchy executives on his Facebook page. First Amendment lawyers say private-sector employees have little recourse when fired for their statements on social networks. -DB Wired June 9, 2009 By David Kravets An Associated Press reporter’s official reprimand over an innocuous comment on his Facebook page has sparked the