First Amendment News

Chris Soghoian’s blog will no longer be seen on CNET, most likely over statements he made about YouTube and the Obama team that both parties said were inaccurate. An EFF commentator said it was a significant loss since Soghoian did real reporting rather than comment on the work of others. –DB Electronic Frontier Foundation March 18, 2009 Commentary by Hugh D’Andrade Former CNET blogger Chris Soghoian has produced some of the best coverage on the

In a reversal of Pentagon practice since 9/11, the United States Air Force has published the names and telephone numbers of key personnel. –DB Secrecy Federation of American Scientists March 19, 2009 The United States Air Force has published a detailed organizational chart of its headquarters (pdf) including the names and telephone numbers of key personnel. What makes this of more than passing interest is that it represents a departure from the post-9/11 Pentagon practice

American University’s School of Communications has collaborated with msnbc.com to provide information to gauge the financial viability of banks receiving government bailouts. -DB The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press March 18, 2009 By Hannah Bergmann The Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University’s School of Communications just launched a new tool that makes it easier to check up on the health of banks receiving government bailout funds. The project, in partnership with msnbc.com, uses

Half of all states post more government information online than California according to a survey by media outlets. State agencies said that Caifornia’s size and its massive amounts of information made it difficult to post online. -DB The Sacramento Bee March 15, 2009 By Phillip Reese SACRAMENTO – In North Carolina, residents can go to a government Web site and instantly look up the safety record of any child day care facility in the state.

Two pro-life students conducting an orderly challenge to the ideas of a Planned Parenthood representative were banned from campus. Protests of their treatment led Pomona to lift the ban in recognition of laws guaranteeing free speech rights that students would enjoy off campus. -DB CalAware Today March 12, 2009 FREE SPEECH — After strong protest from students, faculty and alumni, Pomona College has withdrawn its ban of two pro-life students from campus, imposed last week