First Amendment News

In spite of Defense Department concerns that there could be a backlash, the Obama administration will release over 44 photos showing alleged abuses of U.S.-held prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. –DB The Los Angeles Times April 24, 2009 By Peter Wallsten, Julian E. Barnes and Greg Miller WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration agreed late Thursday to release dozens of photographs depicting alleged abuses at U.S. prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush White

A lawyer who had filed a defamation claim against a newspaper for comments on a message board on its website found himself saddled with the newspaper’s legal fees after the newspaper filed a motion under the anti-Slapp statute designed to protect free speech from meritless legal threats. -DB Chico Enterprise Record April 24, 2009 CHICO — An attorney has been ordered to pay the Enterprise-Record more than $65,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs after he

During a Scotts Valley City Council meeting, the mayor alleged an opponent of a proposed Target store was veering off the topic and blocked further comment from the man who filed a Brown Act complaint that his right to participate in the meeting was denied. -DB Santa Cruz Sentinel April 25, 2009 By Ramona Turner SCOTTS VALLEY — A dispute at a recent City Council meeting, during which the mayor threatened to call the police,

An editorial in The Taft Independent in Kern County reminds the readers that open government laws protect the right of citizens to participate in governance. The editorial cited the instance in which the local water board took action on issues not on the agenda. –DB The Taft Independent Editorial April 24, 2009 A few weeks ago, the attorney for the West Kern Water Board made a very public apology for failing to keep the board

A current bill in the California legislature would exempt two types of reports from disclosure under open government laws, specifically those on broker-initiated activity and certain examinations or audits. -DB CalAware April 21, 2009 PUBLIC INFORMATION — Real estate reporters and other watchdogs take note: a bill moving through the Legislature on the regulation of mortgage loan originators calls for two kinds of report that would be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records