First Amendment News

A Massachusetts federal judge ruled that truth can be libelous in some private-figure cases when the statements published are malicious. The decision is thought to be especially disastrous for bloggers. -DB The Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press February 19, 2009 By Samantha Fredrickson, Truth is no longer a defense in some private-figure libel cases in Massachusetts where the “ill will” of the speaker is established — at least according to a federal appellate

A San Diego water board has been charged with circumventing the Brown Act. In attempting to suspend a fellow board member, Mitch Beauchamp, the other members each sent a letter to the mayor. Since the letters were not discussed in an open meeting, Beauchamp’s lawyer is claiming either the board members illegally convened a secret meeting or conducted serial meetings. -DB San Diego Union-Tribune Feb. 14, 2009 By Tanya Sierra NATIONAL CITY — Sweetwater Authority

A new San Jacinto City Council member is contesting a council policy forbidding members to attend meetings of city committees to which they have not been appointed. The Brown Act states that a quorum of the council cannot meet without public notice. -DB The Valley Chronicle Feb. 13, 2009 By Charles Hand Steve Di Memmo is going outside the city in a quest for legal agreement with his position that he can attend meetings of

A bill to keep reporters from going to jail for refusing to reveal their sources was re-introduced in Congress this week. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by voting members last year but died at the end of the session under veto threats from President George W. Bush. –DB The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Feb. 11, 200 By Samantha Fredrickson WASHINGTON, D.C. -A federal shield law that would protect reporters from revealing confidential

A prominent lawyer argues that a state appellate court made the wrong call in reversing a lower court decision to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by a staunchly pro-Israel journalist against two critics. Sam Bayard argues in part that the contested statements against the journalist were reflective of strong emotions rather than factual statements and therefore libelous. -DB Citizen Media Law Project Feb. 12, 2009 By Sam Bayard On February 9, a California appellate court