free speech

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Before Stanford Graduation, a Free-Speech Controversy
Law Student's Satirical Flier
Jeopardized His Diploma
the rundown
Jun 3, 2021 11:26 AM CDT

Law Student's Satirical Flier Jeopardized His Diploma

But Stanford will let Nicholas Wallace graduate after all, following mockery of Federalist Society

(Newser) - It's nearly graduation day at Stanford, but a free-speech controversy on campus has stolen some of the attention. The details of what's happening:
  • In January, a few weeks after the Jan. 6 riots, Stanford law student Nicholas Wallace put out a fake flier mocking the Federalist Society, a
...

Man Convicted After Posting 'Kill Your Senators'

Supporter of Trump and Capitol riot found guilty of threatening members of Congress

(Newser) - A social media agitator was convicted Wednesday on federal charges of threatening to kill members of Congress in a verdict that rejected his claims it was harmless rhetoric. A jury found Brendan Hunt guilty at the close of a weeklong trial in federal court in Brooklyn. Hunt, 37, did not...

Teen Cheerleader&#39;s Profanity Is a Supreme Court Case
Teen Vented on Snapchat,
Now Is at the Supreme Court
the rundown
Apr 26, 2021 10:35 AM CDT

Teen Vented on Snapchat, Now Is at the Supreme Court

Brandi Levy's profanity about cheerleading is seen as huge free-speech case

(Newser) - On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case relatable to anyone who's ever vented some choice words on a bad day. What sets this one apart? It involves a young cheerleader's profanity—and it just happens to be "the most momentous case in more...

For Third Night, Rioters Protest Rapper's Jailing

About 80 have been arrested and 100 injured in Spain

(Newser) - Protests over the imprisonment of a rapper convicted of insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorist violence were marred by rioting for the third night in a row Thursday. The plight of Pablo Hasél, who began this week to serve a 9-month sentence in a northeastern prison, has triggered...

College Probes Professor After 'Black Privilege' Remarks

University of Central Florida looking into complaints of bias against Charles Negy

(Newser) - A longtime tenured psychology professor at the University of Central Florida is under fire after a series of online posts. Per the New York Times , Negy, who has written a book about "white Americans under siege," recently put up multiple tweets that he acknowledged "will infuriate folks....

Brazil Reverses Ban on 'Gay Jesus' Netflix Film

Judge says freedom of speech is essential

(Newser) - The president of Brazil's top court has reversed a ban on a Netflix film that infuriated millions of Christians. Supreme Court president Dias Toffoli ruled Thursday that Netflix should be allowed to continue streaming The First Temptation of Christ, a satire which depicts Jesus Christ as a gay man,...

Social Network Writer to FB CEO: Stop 'Assaulting Truth'

Aaron Sorkin takes Mark Zuckerberg to task for not vetting political ads

(Newser) - Mark Zuckerberg has been making the rounds defending Facebook's decision not to fact-check or censor political ads, saying he doesn't feel the social media site should be in the business of stymieing free speech. Except screenwriter Aaron Sorkin doesn't exactly think that's what Facebook's move...

She Told Boyfriend to Die. Now She Wants to Go to Supreme Court

Michelle Carter's lawyers say her 'words alone' shouldn't make her liable for Conrad Roy's death

(Newser) - Michelle Carter's "words alone" shouldn't be to blame for the death of Conrad Roy. That's the premise her legal team is pushing in a new petition asking the Supreme Court to review her case in her quest to get her involuntary manslaughter conviction overturned, BuzzFeed...

She Knocked Her Country on Free Speech. Now She's Banned There

Sherine Abdel-Wahab made comments in Bahrain, now can't perform in Egypt

(Newser) - An Egyptian singer has been banned from performing in her home country after suggesting that it doesn't respect free speech. A video clip circulated online shows Sherine Abdel-Wahab, during a performance in Bahrain, saying: "Here I can say whatever I want. In Egypt, anyone who talks gets imprisoned....

Putin Signs Law Against Insulting Him Online

Bills introduce punishments for 'fake news'

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin has signed bills banning what the state calls "fake news," although the Russian president's critics see the legislation as a thinly disguised crackdown on real news—and criticism of the authorities. The new laws introduce punishments for anybody who "exhibits blatant disrespect for the...

Texas AG Pushes Back on Teen's Suit Over Pledge

It's an unusual move for an attorney general to make, the expelled girl's lawyer says

(Newser) - A black teen's lawsuit against a Texas school district over her refusal to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance has spurred what her lawyer calls a "rare" move from the state's attorney general. The BBC reports on how India Landry, now 18, was expelled last October from...

Zuckerberg Runs Into Backlash Over Holocaust Comments
Zuckerberg Runs Into Backlash
Over Holocaust Comments
the rundown
Jul 19, 2018 9:05 AM CDT

Zuckerberg Runs Into Backlash Over Holocaust Comments

He spoke of how Facebook wouldn't remove posts denying it took place

(Newser) - Mark Zuckerberg has found himself mired in a new controversy, this time stemming from comments he made about Holocaust deniers who post on Facebook. In an interview with Kara Swisher of recode, Zuckerberg was discussing the kinds of things Facebook does and does not take down, and he said that...

Trump Wants His Blocking Privilege Back

DOJ appeals court ruling as Twitter users are unblocked

(Newser) - "We whined. We complained. We sued. We won our First Amendment lawsuit in federal court. And now @realDonaldTrump has unblocked me," University of Maryland sociology professor Philip Cohen tweeted Monday. The Justice Department later confirmed all seven plaintiffs who successfully argued President Trump violated their right to free...

Professor Who Decried 'Racist' Barbara Bush Gains Support

Including from a Fresno State lecturer demoted for a tweet about Trump

(Newser) - Free speech activists are lending support to a Fresno State professor threatened with possible disciplinary measures after referring to Barbara Bush as an "amazing racist," who is "still fabulous, thanks for checking in." Randa Jarrar on Wednesday tweeted "love to all of you who have...

Ingraham Returns to Fox, Goes Whole Hog on Free Speech

The 'Left' is trying to 'silence conservatives,' host said Monday night on 'The Ingraham Angle'

(Newser) - Laura Ingraham returned to her Fox News show Monday night, as promised by the network, after a week off from the controversy over her snarky tweet toward Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg. But although Ingraham didn't mention the hubbub directly, Deadline notes she was back Monday in "full...

One Country Just Banned &#39;Fake News&#39;
One Country Just
Banned 'Fake News'
Apr 2, 2018 12:25 PM CDT

One Country Just Banned 'Fake News'

But critics say Malaysia is really just muzzling media, putting lid on scandal ahead of elections

(Newser) - Malaysia passed a new law Monday prohibiting "fake news," a move critics fear will be used to silence dissent ahead of elections, reports the AP . Despite criticism from opposition lawmakers that the legislation will lead Malaysia closer to dictatorship, the bill was approved after heated debate, with 123...

Man Says Hometown Smells Like 'Rancid Dog Food,' Gets Sued

Josh Harms wins free-speech lawsuit

(Newser) - An Iowa man threatened by city officials with legal action for saying on a website that his hometown smelled like "rancid dog food" has won a free-speech lawsuit, the AP reports. Josh Harms, represented by the ACLU of Iowa, filed suit in US District Court earlier this month asking...

Florida Gadfly Beats the Odds, Gets Back to Supreme Court

Florida resident Fane Lozman returns with a different fight against his home city

(Newser) - Given how many cases the Supreme Court rejects, it's quite a coup if one of your own legal fights ends up being argued there. On Tuesday, Florida resident Fane Lozman had the odds-defying distinction of seeing his second case there in five years. The former commodities trader won his...

Comedian&#39;s Husband Sues After He Is Mentioned in Show
Comedian's Husband Sues
After She Mentions
Him in Show
in case you missed it
Feb 24, 2018 12:51 PM CST

Comedian's Husband Sues After She Mentions Him in Show

She says he's trying to silence her

(Newser) - The future of comedy could depend on how much of a sense of humor British judges have when dealing with an unusual defamation lawsuit, legal experts say. Comedian Louise Beaumont says her estranged husband is suing her for mentioning him in her stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last...

America, Give Your Pastor the Finger With Impunity

Court overturns man's conviction for flipping the bird in church

(Newser) - Georgia's highest court has reversed the conviction of a man who was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge after he held up his middle finger and shouted at his pastor during a service, the AP reports. The unanimous opinion issued Monday says David Freeman's behavior amounts to speech...

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