First Amendment News

Former teacher sues D.C. mayor and the public school chancellor for defamation

After the Washington D.C. public schools chancellor said to the media that she got rid of teachers who hit students and had sex with children in reducing the teaching force, she was sued by a teacher who claimed those statements defamed him. -db Courthouse News Service March 8, 2010 By Ryan Abbott WASHINGTON, D.C. (CN) – A teacher says District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee defamed him in an effort to discredit teachers

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California legislators for amending U.S. Constitution to overturn Supreme Courts ruling on campaign finance

Two California legislators have introduced a resolution in the state legislature for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC arguing that the court decision wrongly gives corporations the same First Amendment rights as individuals and will allow them to use advertising to control the outcome of elections. -db Metropolitan News-Enterprise March 5, 2010 By Kenneth Ofgang Two California lawmakers have introduced a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment

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Journalist appeals denial of mug shot of federal fugitive

A freelance journalist is appealing a federal court ruling that the U.S. Marshals Service could deny a Freedom of Information Act request for a mug shot of securities fraud fugitive, Luis Giro. -db The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press March 3, 2010 By Curry Andrew A freelance journalist has asked a federal appeals court to consider whether a lower court erred when it said the U.S. Marshals Service could deny a public records

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Google would welcome government support in challenging Chinese censorhip

Google wants the Obama administration to take China’s censorship of Google to the World Trade Organization as an unfair barrier to trade. -db Bloomberg News March 3, 2010 By Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) — The Obama administration is weighing the merits of taking China’s censorship of Google Inc. to the World Trade Organization as an unfair barrier to trade, a move that could further raise diplomatic tensions. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office is consulting with industry

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New York City considers press credentials for bloggers

Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to allow online journalists and bloggers press credentials. The proposal comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by three bloggers denied access to city events. -db The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press March 3, 2010 By Christine Beckett New York City and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a new policy that would allow online journalists and bloggers to more easily obtain a press credential, The New York Observer reported.

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