Posts Tagged ‘compelled speech’
Appeals court strikes down union poster rule
In another blow to the nation’s dwindling labor unions, an appeals court on Tuesday struck down a federal rule that would have required millions of businesses to put up posters informing workers of their right to form a union.
SF drops fight for cellphone radiation warning law
San Francisco appears to be giving up its battle for an ordinance that would require retailers to warn customers about cellphone radiation and its health effects.
In Vt. GMO labeling won’t pass this year
With time ticking down in this year’s Vermont Legislative session, it’s becoming clear that lawmakers won’t pass a bill requiring labels on genetically modified food before wrapping up their work for 2013.
High court weighs dispute over AIDS funding
The Supreme Court wrestled Monday with the First Amendment implications of a policy that forces private health organizations to denounce prostitution as a condition to get AIDS funding.
High court takes up case on compelled speech
At issue: whether the government can require AIDS groups receiving grants to state their opposition to prostitution and sex trafficking as a condition of funding.
Must convenience stores post tobacco apology?
Federal judge will decide soon whether retailers can be required to put up large displays about their putative guilt for having sold cigarettes.
Vt. relaxes language on vaccine exemption form after criticism
Some parents had complained that earlier version of form forced them to agree with the state Health Department’s assessments of the risks and benefits of the shots.
Court ruling is mixed bag for sex offenders on Halloween
California town can bar offenders from opening their doors to trick-or-treaters, but they can’t be forced to post signs that read: ‘No candy or treats at this residence.’
Court: ‘Why racism is wrong’ essay is right penalty for juvenile
Ohio appeals judges reject attorney’s argument that compelling his client to write a 1,000-word essay amounted to ‘thought control.’
6th Circuit backs law requiring graphic cigarette labels
Case is one of two challenging the warnings; last month, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., found FDA rule violated free speech.
Judge on cigarette labels: Warn but don’t scare
In striking down new FDA warning labels on cigarette packages, district judge says trying ‘to evoke a strong emotional response’ goes beyond the government’s power.
Federal court upholds Texas sonogram law
Judge had previously struck down parts of the statute, but his latest ruling says he’s bound to follow the direction of the 5th Circuit in declaring the law constitutional.
Texas can enforce abortion law, rules 5th Circuit
Statute requiring doctors to show sonograms to patients can be put into effect while opponents challenge the measure in court.
Obama scolds tobacco firms for fighting new labels
In video produced for ‘Great American Smokeout,’ president says companies oppose graphic cigarette warnings because ‘they don’t want to be honest about the consequences’ of smoking.
The First Amendment Center is an educational organization and cannot provide legal advice.
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. Previously, Paulson served as the editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center and president and chief operating officer of the Diversity Institute, 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 an expert in First Amendment issues who writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications. Hudson teaches law and was a scholar at the First Amendment Center.
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.
