Iowa high court overturns Mennonite’s steel-wheel citation
Justices say Mitchell County’s goal of road preservation can be accomplished less restrictively without banning the tractors used by the Mennonites.
Pa. judge: Newspapers can’t review settlement in gas-drilling case
Post-Gazette and Observer-Reporter had sought access to agreement involving a family who claimed the value of its home was wiped out by natural gas drilling on neighboring properties.
Kan. appeals court: Man’s curses at ex-wife were fighting words
Judges reject Kenneth Meadors’ argument that his tirade did not contain any threats and that his speech was protected by the First Amendment.
Contraception mandate outrages religious groups
Critics say federal regulation requiring employers to cover birth control forces people of faith to choose between upholding church doctrine and serving the broader society.
9th Circuit won’t release gay-marriage trial videos
Panel: Judge had promised video wouldn’t be released and ‘integrity of our judicial system depends in no small part on the ability of litigants and members of the public to rely on a judge’s word.’
Filmmaker arrested at House subcommittee hearing
Oscar-nominated Joshua Fox was led out of the room in handcuffs and charged by Capitol Police with unlawful entry after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials.
Court rules against Occupy Maine encampment
Portland officials say they’ll give protesters 48 hours to vacate after a judge finds that allowing them to occupy a city park for an extended period would conflict with others’ right to use it.
Fla. Senate votes to allow student-initiated prayer
Bill’s sponsor says measure would keep students and not administrators in charge of whether and how to deliver messages of inspiration.
Law scholar says Supreme Court communicates poorly
Beyond blocking courtroom cameras, Erwin Chemerinsky contends, justices fail to tell public in advance when they’ll rule on cases or explain why they don’t take cases.
Vt. high court cancels telephone-harassment conviction
Woman convicted under statute forbidding anonymous harassing calls was not anonymous, court holds, because the recipient admitted knowing who she was.
Jesus statue gets reprieve to remain at Mont. ski resort
Official says Forest Service’s decision to reverse its earlier eviction order took into account that the landmark is eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
Anti-gay marriage group loses 1st Circuit appeal
Court upholds Maine’s campaign-disclosure law that requires the National Organization for Marriage to release its donor list.
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer/First Amendment Center. Previously, Paulson served as editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today and USATODAY.com.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is a scholar at the First Amendment Center. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
Inside the First Amendment • Press Commentary | Gene Policinski | February 3, 2012
Journalists are natural fit as debate moderators
Commission on Presidential Debates places journalists where they should be: As questioners on behalf of the American public.