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Freedom of Speech/Press News

Boxer shorts tweet: Embattled congressman wrong to suggest press should not ask hard questions

donal brown June 6, 2011

Because Democratic Rep Anthony Weiner has equivocated in answering questions about a tweet of himself in his shorts that he allegedly sent to woman in Washington state, he can expect hard questions from reporters seeking to clarify the issue, writes Brian J. Buchanan for the First Amendment Center. Weiner called a CNN journalist a jackass during one exchange and has suggested that the press is wrong to ask probing questions. -db From a commentary from

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WikiLeaks founder Assange wins prestigious journalism prize

donal brown June 2, 2011

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has been awarded the  Martha Gellhorn journalism prize awarded to a journalist  “whose work has penetrated the established version of events and told an unpalatable truth that exposes establishment propaganda, or ‘official drivel.’” In their citation, the judges wrote, “WikiLeaks has given the public more scoops than most journalists can imagine: a truth-telling that has empowered people all over the world. As publisher and editor, Julian Assange represents that which

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Opinion: PBS special puts WikiLeaks journalistic legitimacy in question

donal brown June 2, 2011

Jason Mick says the Public Broadcasting Service special “WikiSecrets” has raised serious questions about the WikiLeaks‘ whistleblowing credentials as many of the leaked documents revealed secret details about U.S. operations rather than exposed wrongdoing. Mick also cited the resistance put up by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to redacting the names of Afghanistan tribal leaders and others cooperating with the U.S.  including informants as evidence that Assange was waging a vendetta against the U.S. government rather

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Washington: Sex offender committed for writing fantasies about children

donal brown June 2, 2011

A Washington state appeals court ruled that the First Amendment rights of a convicted sex predator, James Aston Jr.,were not violated when he was committed for treatment for writing fantasies about children. The appeals court held that the Ashton’s comments and writings were not protected speech and constituted a “threat” and an “act”  under the civil-commitment law. Ashton had admitted to his parole officer that he would commit sexually predatory acts in the future and

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Law firm sues Courtney Love for defamation

donal brown May 31, 2011

Celebrity Courtney Love asked the law firm Gordon & Holmes to help her recover money and property allegedly stolen from her late husband’s estate. The firm agreed to represent her conditional on her remaining sober during their client-attorney relationship. When the firm subsequently refused to represent her, they claim Love became angry and sent a tweet that would be read by millions, causing harm to the reputation of the firm. From the Courthouse News Service,

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