anti-SLAPP

Sunshine Week: Free speech, public’s right to know under attack in Texas, so let’s act now

2022-03-31T17:08:25-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director FOI Foundation of Texas We Texans are fiercely independent and like to make our views known. On that, surely, we can agree. Using our First Amendment right to speak out goes hand in hand with access to public information that helps us understand how our government functions. Unfortunately, both basic American principles – free speech and the people’s right to know – are under attack in Texas. There’s no better time to urge our state lawmakers to protect these precious freedoms than “Sunshine Week,” March 10-16, a nationwide celebration of open government. The Texas Sunshine Coalition, [...]

Sunshine Week: Free speech, public’s right to know under attack in Texas, so let’s act now2022-03-31T17:08:25-05:00

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court

2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

Reporters Committee and media coalition argue Texas anti-SLAPP law should apply in federal court Evan Popp |  September 12, 2018 A Texas law aimed at making it easier to dismiss meritless lawsuits intended to chill speech should apply in federal court, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 39 media organizations argued in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the brief filed in Rudkin v. Roger Beasley Imports, Inc., the media coalition urges the federal appeals court to reverse a district court's ruling and hold that the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) applies in federal [...]

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

Federal anti-SLAPP law focus of U.S. House hearing

2016-06-27T15:11:49-05:00

By Luis Ferre Sadurni Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Originally published June 23, 2016 On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) bill, which would combat lawsuits filed to intimidate exercise of free speech. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 2304, the SPEAK FREE Act, last summer and the bill was referred to the subcommittee on June 1, 2015. Similar to anti-SLAPP laws passed at the state level, the proposed legislation would amend the federal judicial code to allow defendants speaking [...]

Federal anti-SLAPP law focus of U.S. House hearing2016-06-27T15:11:49-05:00

Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 23

2016-06-10T19:05:17-05:00

AUSTIN – The Coalition for Free Speech and Haynes and Boone, LLP, will host a symposium and reception June 23, 2016, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of passage of Texas’ anti-SLAPP statute. Paul Brown, former Capital Tonight Anchor, will moderate a lively discussion with lawmakers, public interest groups from both sides of the aisle, SLAPP victims and others about what the statute has meant for the state of Texas. Panelists are state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi; Jane Bland, justice for the First Court of Appeals; Bama Brown, iHeart Radio DJ; Terri Burke, ACLU of Texas executive director; and attorney Laura [...]

Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 232016-06-10T19:05:17-05:00

Judge awards attorneys’ fees after TV station won anti-SLAPP lawsuit appeal

2014-10-16T21:19:52-05:00

A Harris County judge has awarded Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV more than $250,000 in attorneys’ fees after the station won an appeal in an anti-SLAPP case, or anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation. Austin-based Partner Laura Prather of Haynes and Boone, LLP, and Of Counsel Catherine Robb represented KTRK in the case. “This matter is a prime example of why the anti-SLAPP statute was created - to protect the freedom of speech,” said Prather. “We are thrilled to have persevered each time the plaintiff sued and the final ruling by the judge reiterates that meritless lawsuits filed out of retaliation for one [...]

Judge awards attorneys’ fees after TV station won anti-SLAPP lawsuit appeal2014-10-16T21:19:52-05:00
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