Tag Archives: first amendment

What does the 1st Amendment and Freedom of Speech Really Mean?

The New York Times is getting a fair amount of static for the opening paragraph of their editorial about the First Amendment and free speech this morning. Here’s the headline and first two paragraphs: America Has a Free Speech Problem … Continue reading

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What does the 1st Amendment mean? Stories from the the insurrection, Part 3

The violent insurrection in Washington, D.C.  Wednesday was both utterly predictable and unimaginable. My feelings about those events go well beyond the scope of this blog, so instead of laying out my feelings, I’m going to share a variety of … Continue reading

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Is a Wedding Cake Free Speech? Or Is That Even The Question?

Update: Here’s how the court ruled. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In 2012, back when marriage equality was yet to be … Continue reading

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

What do Americans know about their constitution? Not much, according to a new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Good story from CNN’s Chis Cillizza. (Also, good analysis from the libertarian Volokh Conspiracy) 37% couldn’t name a single right … Continue reading

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Election News in the News

There’s a lot of strange news about the upcoming election going on.  Here’s a sampling: Jay Rosen: Newspapers shouldn’t apologize for criticizing Trump Media critic and NYU professor Jay Rosen argues that newspapers that have been harsh in their reporting … Continue reading

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Has the University of Illinois repealed the First Amendment for its faculty? New tenured prof gets contract dropped over “vulgar and insulting” tweets. What can marketers learn from the Ice Bucket Challenge? Make it fun. Make it easy. Make it … Continue reading

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The Right to Free Speech According to XKCD

Nailed it….

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Link Ch. 13 – The Hazelwood Decision’s 25th Anniversary

Twenty-five years ago, the United States Supreme Court  ruled that a high school principal in Hazelwood, Missouri, had the right to censor articles in the student newspaper about pregnancy and divorce.  The court, in its ruling, wrote: The First Amendment … Continue reading

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Link Ch. 3 – 8 Years Later – Supreme Court Declines to Take Up Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction Case

Eight years ago, singer Janet Jackson exposed her breast for 9/16ths of a second.  As a result, broadcast network CBS was fined more than half a million dollars and a near-decade long battle over what could or could not be … Continue reading

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Link Ch. 13 – Supreme Court rules that FCC fines for language, nudity were given without proper notice

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that broadcasters did not have to pay fines levied by the FCC for fleeting expletives or brief nudity because the FCC had not provided sufficient warning that there would be penalties. The court had … Continue reading

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