First Amendment News

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

CIA Director Leon Panetta has refused to release interrogation tape records out of concern that the details of torture could be used for propaganda by enemies of the United States. -DB American Civil Liberties Union Press Release June 9., 2009 NEW YORK – In another attempt to avoid public and judicial scrutiny of the Bush administration torture program, CIA Director Leon Panetta argued that records related to the destruction and content of interrogation tapes should

A former Southeastern Economic Development Corp. president lost a $100,000 plus severance package after a community activist brought suit charging the SEDC board awrded the package in secret without public notice. -DB voice of san diego.org June 10, 2009 By Will Carless A legal appeal lodged by former Southeastern Economic Development Corp. President Carolyn Y. Smith against a lawsuit that challenged her lucrative severance package has been dismissed by a judge as moot. 

Smith’s $100,350