Reporters and political activists are suing in a U.S court contending that a U.S. anti-terrorism law, the NDAA, extends the definition of “supporter of terrorism” to include peaceful citizens working as activists, academic researchers, and journalists. -db From The Guardian, March 29, 2012, by Paul Harris. Full story
A Michigan man and his son pled guilty to possessing a machine gun in a federal government criminal case. The government alleged the men and others were plotting to overthrow the government and kill police officers. The government said the men had stockpiled weapons and were building bombs, but the defense said the men engaged in a lot of talk but no action. -db From the Detroit Free Press, March 29, 2012, by Tresa Baldas
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is proposing that anyone regularly visiting websites supporting terrorism or advocating hate or violence will be arrested. First Amendment Center President Ken Paulson notes that allowing despicable viewpoints is basic to American democracy and that the proposed French law on hate websites would not survive in U.S. federal courts. -db From a commentary for the First Amendment Center, March 22, 2012, by Ken Paulson. Full story
After it came to light that secret legal memos existed backing a “targeted killing” policy, the Obama administration blocked the release of the memos. Writing for the Citizens Media Law Project, Justin Silverman makes a case for transparency particularly in the case that the government is hiding an important policy rationale behind a secrecy shield. -db From a commentary for the Citizens Media Law Project, February 21, 2012, by Justin Silverman. Full story
The Justice Department is charging a former intelligence officer with leaking classified information to a journalist. The leaks included the names of covert officers and their work in apprehending terrorist suspects. The officer is charged with divulging to a New York Times reporter the contact information and details of activities of a covert CIA operative. -db From The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, January 23, 20112, by Andrea Papagianis. Full story