News & Opinion

After Dion Rabouin, a black Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained while interviewing outside a Phoenix bank in November, the police department is undertaking an investigation of the matter. Journal editor-in-chief Matt Murray wrote to the department, “I am relieved that Mr. Rabouin’s interaction with Phoenix police officers ended peacefully, but I am appalled and concerned that officers at your department would attempt to interfere with Mr. Rabouin’s constitutional right to engage in journalism and

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals dismantled the buffer zone around an abortion clinic in Louisville, Kentucky with their ruling that the zone suppressed speech. The appeals panel suggested police increase penalties for those obstructing entrance to the clinic or add patrols to curb harassment. (Courthouse News Service, December 21, 2022, by Dave Byrnes) The panel ruled that a 10-foot buffer zone was blocking free speech since the plaintiffs Sisters for Life provided compassionate “sidewalk

James Larock in Balls and Strikes, December 20, 2022, criticizes the U.S. Supreme Court for being “one of America’s least democratic institutions” for its makeup and its operation. He finds the court’s lack of transparency unnecessary and regrettable. He says the recent “decision not to stream opinion announcements is just another example of the Court choosing to limit its transparency even when providing it is easy.” Larock wants to hold the Supreme Court to a

Emma Camp in Reason, December 24, 2022, lists five misconceptions about the First Amendment 1. that you can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater; 2. the belief that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Stop WOKE Act can legitimately restrict speech; 3. there is a First Amendment right to shut down critics; 4. that police can restrict filming them in action; and 5. heckler’s vetoes are protected speech. For related FAC coverage, click here.