Source: The First Amendment Center
By Meghan Winston
According a federal judge, the USA Patriot Act is constitutional in a case in which evidence against a former Naval sailor who supposedly supported terrorism. The USA Patriot Act of 2001 is an acronym for: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. The decision applies in the case of Hassan Abu-Jihaad, who allegedly leaked documents to the press about the location of a Naval battle group. The media law issue here is whether or not the defendant should have been punished for leaking these confidential source or whether the First Amendment should provide protection for him.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Haitian Man Ordered to Suppress Speech About Case
Source: The First Amendment Center
By Meghan Winston
Initially, Lyglenson Lemorin, 33, was scheduled to be deported to Haiti; however, when he was acquitted from his immigration charges, a US District judge required that he not speak about the associated criminal case. Because Lemorin was also set to act as a defense witness in the trial of the “Liberty City Seven,” a miniature terrorist group based in Miami, the US District judge extended a gag order to not only the defense and prosecuting lawyers, but also to Lemorin. In this way, it could be argued that the government is infringing upon Lemorin’s First Amendment rights. The media law question here is whether or not this man, who faced deportation from the United States, should have his free speech rights protected under the First Amendment.
By Meghan Winston
Initially, Lyglenson Lemorin, 33, was scheduled to be deported to Haiti; however, when he was acquitted from his immigration charges, a US District judge required that he not speak about the associated criminal case. Because Lemorin was also set to act as a defense witness in the trial of the “Liberty City Seven,” a miniature terrorist group based in Miami, the US District judge extended a gag order to not only the defense and prosecuting lawyers, but also to Lemorin. In this way, it could be argued that the government is infringing upon Lemorin’s First Amendment rights. The media law question here is whether or not this man, who faced deportation from the United States, should have his free speech rights protected under the First Amendment.
18 Year Old Man Indicted On Hate Crime and Conspiracy Charges
Photo Source: AP Images Database, provided by Syracuse University Library
Article Source: The First Amendment Center
By Meghan Winston
In Alexandria, Louisiana, federal prosecutors indicted an 18-year old man, Jeremiah Munsen, who drove past a group of Black protesters associated with the Jena 6 controversy with nooses hanging from the back of his pickup truck on federal hate crime and conspiracy charges. According to the prosecutors, the message that Munsen was sending intended to threaten and intimidate protesters. This case forces law officials to scrutinize the ways in which expression can be construed as speech.
"Choose Life" License Plate Verdict Overturned
Photo Source: AP Images Database, provided by Syracuse University Library
By Meghan Winston
This week, the First Amendment Center reported that the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals overturned a ruling by an Arizona court denying an anti-abortion organization’s request for a special license plate. The license plate, commissioned by the Arizona Life Coalition, was set to say “Choose Life;” however, the Circuit court ruled that the denial of their request for plates was based upon the message set to appear on the plates and not upon an actual legitimate reason.
Turkish Court Sentences Professor to 15 Months
By Meghan Winston
According to BBC News, the Turkish court issued a 15-month jail sentence to Atilla Yayla, a well-known liberal professor. Apparently, Yayla put forward that "the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books." This trial is one that has caused the Turkish government to more closely examine its laws on the freedom of expression and academic freedom within the country.
According to BBC News, the Turkish court issued a 15-month jail sentence to Atilla Yayla, a well-known liberal professor. Apparently, Yayla put forward that "the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books." This trial is one that has caused the Turkish government to more closely examine its laws on the freedom of expression and academic freedom within the country.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Albert Pujols Takes a Swing At Home Town Market
By Westbrook Shortell
Albert Pujols asked a reporter and photographer from St. Louis Fox station KTVI to leave the press conference of the Cardinal's final winter warm up. KTVI ran that Pujols was one of the ball players that the Mitchell Report said to have used steriods. The list the station used was a phony and the true Mitchell Report did not contatin Pujols' name. KTVI chose not to check its facts and thus offended one of it's cities greatest ball players.
Pujols is angry that even though he wasn't found to use steriods, people are always going to have the thought's in their ir doubts about his numbers.
Albert Pujols asked a reporter and photographer from St. Louis Fox station KTVI to leave the press conference of the Cardinal's final winter warm up. KTVI ran that Pujols was one of the ball players that the Mitchell Report said to have used steriods. The list the station used was a phony and the true Mitchell Report did not contatin Pujols' name. KTVI chose not to check its facts and thus offended one of it's cities greatest ball players.
Pujols is angry that even though he wasn't found to use steriods, people are always going to have the thought's in their ir doubts about his numbers.
Chris Matthews Plays Hardball With Hillary Clinton
By Westbrook Shortell
The morning after New Hampshire primaries, political commentator Chris Matthews comes out saying that the only reason she is in office is because of the Monica Lewinsky scandal in 1998.
Ater urging from NOW and other women's organizations NBC president urged Matthews to issue and on air apology.
He did not rebuke his statement that her career was started because of the scandal but "was it fair to imply that Hillary's whole career depended on being a victim of an unfaithful husband? No. And that's what it sounded like I was saying."
This raises the question of are the same standards held to those who are journalists and who have to attribute truth to statements and those who are political commentators and can assume instead?
The morning after New Hampshire primaries, political commentator Chris Matthews comes out saying that the only reason she is in office is because of the Monica Lewinsky scandal in 1998.
Ater urging from NOW and other women's organizations NBC president urged Matthews to issue and on air apology.
He did not rebuke his statement that her career was started because of the scandal but "was it fair to imply that Hillary's whole career depended on being a victim of an unfaithful husband? No. And that's what it sounded like I was saying."
This raises the question of are the same standards held to those who are journalists and who have to attribute truth to statements and those who are political commentators and can assume instead?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
