First Amendment News

Republicans are continuing their assault on mainstream media by refusing to do sit-down interviews, excluding journalists from events and avoiding debates. (Vanity Fair, July 26,2022, by Charlotte Klein) Republicans are increasingly bypassing what they call the “legacy media” and catering to conservative news outlets and the social media to get their messages across. In explaining his approach to the media and primaries in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis said, “I’m not going to have a bunch

Former President Donald Trump knowingly made false statements about the work of Dominion Voting Systems, but Dominion has yet to bring suit against Trump. Most of the eight legal experts asked to comment on the strength of a case against Trump felt that Dominion had a great chance of success. One expert said there could be basis for claiming presidential immunity, and another pointed to statutes of limitation. Most felt that Dominion could show Trump

Dozens of news outlets filed multiple requests for public records of the shootings in Uvalde, Texas in May. To expedite their efforts, they formed a coalition, writing letters to the Uvalde mayor and the state attorney general. In response to public records requests, local government agencies can release the information or claim an exemption, in this case that an investigation is ongoing. Those seeking the information can then appeal to the attorney general. (Vanity Fair,

A federal judge approved the discovery phase in a lawsuit two state attorneys general filed in May against Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, other Biden administration officials and five social media companies for their alleged suppression of free speech relating to COVID-19. (The Center Square, July 120, 2022, by Joe Mueller) The lawsuit by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry accused the Biden administration with colluding