First Amendment

Texas House considers bills to erode press protection, expose journalists, bloggers to more lawsuits

FOIFT2017-04-25T23:55:18-05:00

By J. David McSwane The Dallas Morning News Originally published April 12, 2017 AUSTIN — Plans to force journalists to reveal their sources and further expose media outlets to lawsuits made strange bedfellows Wednesday as leaders of journalism advocacy groups attacked two bills alongside members of a far-right fundraising and propaganda outfit. During a House committee hearing, two bills authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, drew protests from prominent First Amendment attorneys who say the bills violate the U.S. Constitution and would suppress the reporting of information in the public interest. One bill attacks the reporter's shield law, which protects journalists from being forced [...]

Texas House considers bills to erode press protection, expose journalists, bloggers to more lawsuitsFOIFT2017-04-25T23:55:18-05:00

Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school board

FOIFT2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

By Sebastian Herrera Houston Chronicle Originally published Nov. 13, 2016 Two trustees on the Katy school board believe their First Amendment rights are being infringed by a written board procedure that only allows the board president to speak to the media. The long-standing procedure suggests that elected officials should filter information to the public and act as a unified voice despite different opinions on district matters. It is scheduled to be discussed by trustees in the suburban west Houston district on Monday after new board member George Scott threatened legal action. Katy ISD voters elected Scott in May after he ran [...]

Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school boardFOIFT2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

Dallas attorney files brief in First Amendment case about hip-hop

FOIFT2016-01-05T15:54:17-06:00

By Texas Standard KUT-FM Originally published Jan. 5, 2016 What do three Atlanta-based rappers, a professor from the University of Richmond and a 50-year-old lawyer in Dallas have in common? No, this isn't the beginning of a bad joke – these men have all stepped up to protect the speech rights of Taylor Bell, a young man that was suspended from his high school for recording a song that alleged sexual misconduct toward female students by two of the school's coaches. Bell, who raps under the moniker T-Bizzle, was kicked out of his Fulton, Mississippi, high school in 2011 after officials [...]

Dallas attorney files brief in First Amendment case about hip-hopFOIFT2016-01-05T15:54:17-06:00

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance

FOIFT2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Oct. 20, 2015 The Denton City Council kicked a questionable 10-year-old ordinance to its ethics committee Tuesday, after failing to agree to repeal it or even on how to modify it. The ordinance criminalizes speech for council members who talk about city business deemed “confidential.” The Texas Freedom of Information Foundation wrote the city a letter in August saying the ordinance is likely unconstitutional. The council also moved forward new rules for tow truck operators and heard two hours of testimony over the location for the Eagle electrical substation. The council had not made [...]

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinanceFOIFT2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

FOI Foundation to co-sponsor free libel seminar for Texas journalists

FOIFT2015-10-13T15:54:56-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation is co-hosting a free libel seminar for Texas journalists on Thursday, Oct. 29, featuring a presentation by FOI Foundation board member and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather. The seminar takes place at the Austin American-Statesman from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Other co-sponsors are the American-Statesman, the Texas Press Association and the law firm Haynes and Boone. Click here for more information and to RSVP to attend.

FOI Foundation to co-sponsor free libel seminar for Texas journalistsFOIFT2015-10-13T15:54:56-05:00

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