Regulation of online speech is marching forward from both the left and the right, and it may only be a matter of time until free expression on the Internet becomes a thing of the past.
Category: Free Speech
WA Court finds fired firefighter’s religious free speech rights were violated
The Washington Supreme Court ruled last week that a Spokane fire captain met his burden of proving that his free speech rights were restricted in violation of the First Amendment. The court ruled that the burden now shifts to the employer to show that it would have taken the same action even if he had not engaged in the protected religious conduct.
Pregnancy center case is Supreme Court’s third forced-speech case this term
In its third case on the issue of state-required speech this term, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a California case involving whether the state can compel pro-life pregnancy counseling centers to post notices about the existence of publicly-funded abortion and contraceptive services, and requires disclosures if the centers or personnel are unlicensed.
Kentucky Appeals Court upholds free speech rights of Christian printer in narrow opinion
In a narrowly drafted opinion, the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled that the government could not compel a Christian printer to promote messages that violated his religious beliefs.
Trump order essentially affirms Johnson Amendment
Last Thursday, President Donald Trump marked the National Day of Prayer with an executive order that at most expressed the administration’s desire that the Department of the Treasury should not unnecessarily threaten the tax-exempt status of religious non-profit organizations if they engage in political activity. Despite stating during the campaign that he would “destroy” the Johnson Amendment, the administration ultimately made a benign gesture affirming existing law while describing its parameters and limits.
Why the United States should not give up control of the Internet naming system
Congress has two more days to act to save free speech, but in a year when the Internet has been the biggest thorn in the side of both parties, my guess is that Congress will tragically let control of ICANN slide away. The world deserves the full range of First Amendment protections of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and other freedoms that only the United States is constitutionally obligated to maintain.
Ideological Diversity Endangered on Modern College Campuses
Guest Opinion: College students are, for lack of a better word, being brainwashed. They are being fed the left-wing ideology, without the necessary diversity of opinion. These students then graduate, having internalized what they’ve been taught, as the absolute truth. You cannot debate them because they won’t debate. They will express anger at opposing views and refuse to listen.
Free Exercise After Obergefell: Warnings from the Dissent
Statements of Justices Roberts, Thomas, and Alito on free exercise of religion in light of the same-sex marriage decision.
Supreme Court Rules Sign Ordinance Adversely Affecting Church Fails Strict Scrutiny
fter a lengthy legal battle, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unanimously (see Reed v. Gilbert , decided June 18, 2015) that a town cannot bar church signs when it allows similar signs promoting political or ideological viewpoints. In 2007, Good News Community Church sued Gilbert, Arizona, when the town enforced a law banning the…
Idaho: Northwest Religious Liberty Association Calls for Conscience Exemption to Anti-Discrimination Legislation
This week, in four days of testimony, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee has been considering House Bill 2 (HB2), that would add anti-discrimination protections for Idahoans based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Advocates have been promoting the “Add the Words” bill for nine years and this is the first year that the Legislature has held hearings.