First Amendment

  • Trump’s Lawyers Say Hush Money Gag Order Stifles Campaign Speech

    Donald Trump’s lawyers urged the judge who oversaw his hush money trial to lift a gag order now that he has been convicted, arguing that his opponents were using the restrictions on his speech as a “political sword.” In a court filing earlier this week, defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove noted that Democratic…

  • Supreme Court Refuses Mckesson v. Doe, Restricting Mass Protest Rights in 3 Southern States

    In a decision that has shaken the world of civil liberty advocates, the United States Supreme Court opted not to hear the case of Mckesson v. Doe. In effect, the apex court has upheld a lower court ruling that drastically curtails the right to organize mass protests in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The lower court’s…

  • Trump Tests Legal Limits in Social Media Posts Amid New York Legal Battles

    Former President Donald Trump has once again stirred the legal waters with a series of social media posts, testing the boundaries of his ongoing civil and criminal cases in New York. In a flurry of messages on Truth Social, Trump addressed various legal controversies, including defamation lawsuits and criminal charges. Trump’s social media barrage included…

  • In Tennessee, Lawmakers Pass Bill To Require Anti-Abortion Video In Public Schools

    In a move that has further sparked controversy and divided opinions about abortion rights, Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill that would require public school students to watch a video on fetal development produced by an anti-abortion group, or an equivalent alternative. The legislation is now awaiting approval from Republican Governor Bill Lee. The bill,…

  • In Tennessee, Bills Targeting Pride Flags, LGBTQ Students Near Passage

    Amidst a flurry of legislative activity targeting LGBTQ+ rights, Tennessee lawmakers are on the brink of passing bills that could severely restrict the visibility of LGBTQ+ identities in public and charter schools. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights are sounding the alarm as at least 18 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year, adding to the challenges…

  • Florida Governor DeSantis Signs One of United States’ Most Restrictive Social Media Bans For Minors

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law one of the most restrictive social media bans for minors in the United States. The bill, signed on Monday, March 25, will prohibit social media accounts for children under 14 and mandate parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. This move marks a significant step in addressing concerns…

  • U.S. Supreme Court to Deliberate Government’s Role in Combatting Social Media Disinformation

    The Supreme Court is poised to engage in a pivotal debate over the extent of the White House’s authority in tackling misinformation on social media platforms, with implications that stretch beyond the realms of online discourse to matters of public health and democracy. For professionals like Dr. Eileen Barrett, Chair of the Board of Regents…

  • TikTok Faces Ban In U.S. After House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Force Parent Company to Sell

    In a significant move on Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to pass bipartisan legislation aimed at compelling TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media platform within six months or risk facing a ban in the United States. The bill received overwhelming support with a final vote count of 352-65, comfortably…

  • Supreme Court Debates Potential Impact Of Texas and Florida Laws On Social Media

    The US Supreme Court engaged in a nearly four-hour oral argument on Monday, Feb. 26 delving into the potential ramifications of Texas and Florida laws aimed at social media platforms but with far-reaching implications for the broader digital economy. The legislation, seeking to prevent social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and others from removing or…