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Religious groups divided over bills to allow pulpit politicking
Measures would lift IRS ban on political activity at churches, allowing religious leaders to endorse candidates who agree with their moral teachings.  05.15.02

Arizona governor to allow public-records bill to become law
Jane Hull says she supports principle but that measure likely would lead to litigation.  05.15.02

White supremacist continues fight for law license
Matthew Hale asks 7th Circuit to take up case, despite having been rejected by both Illinois and U.S. high courts.  05.15.02

CBS News airs part of Daniel Pearl videotape
Family denounces broadcast; network says Americans need to see what Arab world is seeing.  05.15.02

Students stage mock funeral to protest proposed free-speech zones
Rutherford Institute says it will file lawsuit challenging West Virginia University policy.  05.14.02

Louisiana Supreme Court hears debate over casino contributions
Attorneys argue ban on political donations from gambling interests violates industry's free speech.  05.14.02

High court won't get involved in clergy malpractice case
Meanwhile, justices refuse to consider Massachusetts town's crèche ban or to hear case involving Nashville, Tenn., adult-entertainment law.  05.14.02

Connecticut high court deals blow to anti-hunting activists
Justices reject argument that by suppressing anti-hunting protests, hunter harassment law violated demonstrators’ rights to free speech, assembly.  05.14.02

Charges dismissed against Utah reporter
Deseret News' Jerry Spangler had been accused of failing to notify fire department while reporting on fuel spill at his newspaper's building.  05.14.02

Reznet gives Native American students an online newspaper
Knight Foundation funds Web site where tribal-college journalists can post and be paid for their work.  05.13.02

High court overturns ruling on L.A. 'sex superstores'
But because there isn't majority fully endorsing ban on multi-use adult businesses, justices send Alameda case back to lower court.  05.13.02

Supreme Court partially upholds COPA
But justices send case back to appeals court to resolve other free-speech issues; 1998 law remains on hold.  05.13.02

Lord's Prayer can't be sung at Iowa high school graduation
Federal judge says 30-year tradition violates First Amendment, whether or not most students, choir members and parents want it.  05.13.02

Court: Public has right to witness sexual predator case
'Confidence in judicial proceedings and law enforcement is enhanced by open proceedings,' says Missouri judge in granting newspaper's request.  05.13.02

FEC begins work of crafting campaign-finance rules
Commission must spell out exactly what type of political spending new law bans.  05.13.02

College replies to critics of child sexuality book
Attorney says there could be 'serious First Amendment concerns' if University of Minnesota Press treated controversial book differently because of 'negative reaction.'  05.13.02

Russian newspaper editor slain after reporting on organized crime
Valery Ivanov, 33, editor in chief of Togliatti Review, was shot seven times.  05.13.02

Groups try to revive lawsuit over church-based job program
But Texas officials question what 5th Circuit could or should do now since contract between state, program ended in 1999.  05.12.02

Memphis school board votes to require uniforms
Associate superintendent says it is unclear how new policy will be enforced, what will happen to students if they refuse to wear uniforms.  05.11.02

Nevada priest wants sex-abuse hearing closed to public, press
'Secrecy is part of an ongoing pattern that church leaders have followed for years and years,' says advocate for victims.  05.11.02

Judge refuses to dismiss clergy sex-abuse case
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston had argued that church's activities are immune from judicial scrutiny under the First Amendment.  05.10.02

Settlement reached over 'Wind Done Gone'
Alice Randall's publisher to make unspecified contribution to Morehouse College; lawyers for Margaret Mitchell's estate agree to stop trying to block sales of book.  05.10.02

'Perfect Storm' lawsuit thrown out
Federal judge says movie protected by First Amendment and that filmmakers must be allowed leeway in depicting people, events.  05.10.02

Ruling: County land preservation board violated records, meetings laws
Kentucky attorney general's office also finds administrator in another county illegally required worker to state reason for requesting documents.  05.10.02

Judge won't order school district to lift restrictions on editorial
Court says Andrew Smith's attorney failed to prove California district or journalism students planned to ban editorial's publication.  05.10.02

Homeland Security exempt from FOIA, government says
Arguing security office technically isn't an 'agency,' Justice Department asks federal judge to throw out lawsuit seeking access to records.  05.09.02

Public records tougher to view since Sept. 11
Culture of secrecy that traditionally has pervaded federal government was magnified after last year's terrorist attacks, panelists say.  05.09.02

Justice Department: Public has no right of access to immigration hearings
Government appeals federal judge's decision opening up deportation proceedings against Rabih Haddad.  05.09.02

Bill to amend N.Y. FOI law draws criticism
Open-government advocates say measure limiting access to terrorism-related information could give agencies carte blanche to restrict material.  05.09.02

PETA claims demonstration at Utah school was protected speech
Animal-rights group makes case before federal appeals court, saying that authorities had no right to stop anti-beef protest.  05.09.02

Wisconsin legislative clerks agree to release names of staffers
Officials drop plans to fight judge's order to identify state employees who have had their legal bills paid by taxpayers.  05.08.02

GOP, state parties join fight against campaign-finance law
Republican National Committee's lawsuit argues soft-money ban unfairly imposes greater restrictions on political parties' speech than that of other groups.  05.08.02

Career conference gives Native American students inspiration, experience
'The quality of students gets better and better,' says Ray Chavez, chair of University of South Dakota journalism department. 'We are getting more students who are interested in journalism.'  05.08.02

Tennis star sues 'Penthouse' over topless photos
Meanwhile, judge halts distribution of magazine after another woman claims in lawsuit that pictures were really of her.  05.08.02

Judge hearing case of slain San Diego girl scolds reporters
'The media in this community apparently cannot exercise restraint,' says William Mudd, ruling that court documents concerning lifestyle issues are to remain sealed.  05.08.02

Delaware governor poised to bar public access to autopsy photos
Bill adds photographs, audio and visual recordings from post-mortem exams to list of records exempt from state's Freedom of Information law.  05.08.02

Media groups challenge Ohio's new anti-porn law
Measure's definition of 'harmful to juveniles' is too broad, unfairly applies state's standards to Internet, lawsuit contends.  05.07.02

Arizona high court to consider case of sexy newspaper
Owner of The Beat asks justices to overturn law that bars use of vending machines in public places to sell material deemed harmful to minors.  05.07.02

Court hears dispute over another Tennessee commandments display
ACLU attorney tells federal judge that courthouse posting illegally endorses religion by including religious codes alongside secular documents.  05.07.02

Reporter won't have to testify in polygamist's child-rape case
Prosecutors withdraw subpoena against free-lance writer, saying they don't need her testimony.  05.07.02

State attorney general urges legislative clerks to release names
Wisconsin officials have refused to identify employees whose legal bills are being paid by taxpayers despite court order to do so.  05.07.02

Schools selected to create models of democratic freedom
News release Schools chosen in First Amendment Schools project will be laboratories of democratic freedom, demonstrating how school communities can practice democracy, uphold inalienable rights.  05.07.02

'Time-Out' for diversity 2002: Newspapers look inward
Joint project of APME, ASNE helps newsrooms do better job of recruiting, hiring, retaining journalists of color.  05.07.02

County loses fight over Ten Commandments displays
Federal judge orders Tennessee officials to remove plaques from two courthouses, ruling postings violate church-state separation.  05.06.02

High school journalist sues school for blocking controversial editorial
Lawyer tells newspaper: 'They stifled Andrew's voice because he had an unpopular viewpoint.'  05.06.02

College newspaper adviser gets her job back
University of Texas at Tyler officials had come under fire for dismissing Vanessa Curry after she encouraged students to practice aggressive reporting.  05.06.02

Bush gubernatorial archives subject to Texas public-records law
State attorney general rules documents remain property of state even though they are housed at former President Bush's library.  05.06.02

Neuharth to students: Imagination only limit to your dreams
Remarks by Freedom Forum Founder Allen H. Neuharth at 2002 Native American Newspaper Career Conference in South Dakota.  05.06.02

Girl doodles her way into 3-day suspension
Becca Johnson, parents deny Pennsylvania school's contention that drawings of two teachers with arrows through heads were 'terrorist threats.'  05.05.02

Oregon appeals court strikes down anti-petitioning ordinance
Ruling upholds lower court decision that county can't ban signature-gathering at public transit stations.  05.04.02

N.C. press group rejects governor's new public-records guidelines
Organization president says protocol possibly violates state's records law by allowing Gov. Mike Easley's office to resolve disputes.  05.04.02

Memorial adds names of 51 journalists killed in 2001
Somber remembrance on World Press Freedom Day of those who died covering the news.  05.03.02

Activist gets go-ahead to sue Nike over ads
California high court rules company's efforts to quell accusations of worker mistreatment constitute commercial speech subject to state's consumer-protection law.  05.03.02

State high court limits public bodies' ability to close meetings
Minnesota justices rule city council's private meeting violated state law because a threatened lawsuit isn't enough to trigger attorney-client privilege exemption.  05.03.02

Federal magistrate: City illegally censored woman's public-access show
But opinion rejects Dorothy Lafortune's claim that city council acted as illegal court, violated her due-process rights.  05.03.02

Newspaper officials object to search that halted operations for 3 hours
Journalists, others kept out of downtown Los Angeles building while investigators look for billing invoice related to election recall notice.  05.03.02

States debate moment of silence for public schools
Gov. Bob Taft signs Ohio bill that allows one minute daily for students to reflect, meditate or pray.  05.03.02

Press says Americans bored by war news
Panel says government will withhold information unless public demands it.  05.03.02

Lawmakers, Ashcroft work to restore ban on virtual child porn
Attorney general, House members push bill to bypass Supreme Court's recent decision striking down limits on computer-generated images.  05.02.02

Study: Laws, filters alone won't protect children from Net porn
National Research Council report stresses that blend of technical, educational and other steps are needed to keep kids safe online.  05.02.02

Louisiana governor vetoes verbal-prayer bill
Meanwhile, 'In God We Trust' license plate, moment-of-silence measures are signed into law.  05.02.02

Some students aren't laughing at raunchy campus TV show
Critics of student-run University of Connecticut show say it creates hostile climate; co-host says protesters are trying to infringe on his freedom of speech.  05.02.02

Pretend crime doesn't pay for N.J. kindergartener
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging 6-year-old's suspension for playing cops and robbers.  05.02.02

51 journalists who died covering the news in 2001 to be added to Journalists Memorial
News release Ceremony takes place on World Press Freedom Day, May 3, at 10 a.m.  05.01.02

Educators question government plan to limit foreign students' studies
White House says goal is to prevent foreign nationals from using 'their training to harm the United States and its allies,' but educators fear they're being dragged into academic censorship.  05.01.02

Lawmakers target college's budget over professor's writings on pedophilia
But University of Missouri at Kansas City officials say proposed cut won't directly affect Harris Mirkin.  05.01.02

Student who waved unauthorized banner during torch run fights suspension
Alaska Civil Liberties Union is suing school district, accusing officials of violating Joseph Frederick's rights after he displayed sign reading 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus.'  05.01.02

Alaska Senate urges Congress to pass flag-protection amendment
Lone vote against resolution cast by Vietnam War veteran who says he is offended by flag burning but is wary of government limits on free speech.  05.01.02

Valedictorian barred from giving graduation speech settles lawsuit
Agreement comes after federal judge rules jury should decide whether school violated Jason Niemeyer's rights by not allowing him to participate in ceremony.  05.01.02

Confederate license plates get green light from federal appeals panel
Judges agree with lower court that Virginia's refusal to issue Sons of Confederate Veterans tag violated group's free-speech rights.  04.30.02

Vermont newspapers win access to governor's schedule
State judge says Howard Dean's daily calendars must be released because they are public records created by his staff for official business.  04.30.02

School choir must stop rehearsing Lord's Prayer
Federal judge to hear arguments at May 9 trial on whether prayer may be sung at Iowa public high school's graduation.  04.30.02

County attorney: Ten Commandments displays aren't religious
Tennessee officials tell federal judge that postings are secular reminders for citizens to obey the law.  04.30.02

High court nixes drug-mixing ad rules
'If the First Amendment means anything, it means that regulating speech must be a last — not first — resort,' Sandra Day O'Connor writes for majority.  04.29.02

Supreme Court to hear highway-records case
Justices will decide whether states can keep secret information about traffic accidents collected as part of Federal Highway Act.  04.29.02

High court refuses to review Cincinnati's anti-trespass law
City was seeking to revive ordinance barring drug dealers, other criminals from crime- and drug-plagued neighborhood.  04.29.02

Rule will allow secrecy for those who misuse law enforcement computers
Michigan officials have made it harder for public to learn who has abused database containing driving records, criminal records, other personal information.  04.29.02

Judge mulls forcing reporter to testify in polygamist's child-rape case
Carolyn Campbell's attorney argues she should be protected by journalists' privilege, but prosecutors say she lost any privilege when she discussed case with Utah investigator.  04.29.02

Universities struggle with free speech, hate speech
Some argue that hate speech is protected; others say schools are right to punish such speech when intolerance threatens students and their ability to learn.  04.28.02

Lawmakers kill bill banning police surveillance of peaceful protesters
Colorado House panel rejects measure amid complaints it would hinder police activity.  04.27.02

Detroit officials sue Dr. Dre for privacy invasion
Plaintiffs charge rapper's DVD includes unauthorized taped exchanges between city officials and organizers of Up In Smoke tour.  04.27.02

Colorado publisher fights to keep news racks
Boulder ACLU official calls for city to rescind order requiring Richard Perry to remove Boulder Valley Bargains racks.  04.26.02

New Michigan laws restrict access to search warrants
First Amendment advocates say measures, passed as part of anti-terrorism legislation, invite police abuse and curtail public scrutiny.  04.26.02

Kansas governor nixes 'Choose Life' plates
Meanwhile, lawmakers revive effort to create similar tags in Oklahoma.  04.26.02

Judge strikes down Virginia town's parade-permit law
Lynchburg ordinance had required permits for parades, other public gatherings of more than five people.  04.26.02

Political parties appeal blanket-primary decision
Washington state party leaders say they fully expect to prevail, relying heavily on Supreme Court decision that threw out copycat primary system in California.  04.26.02

Federal judge backs limits on kids' access to violent video games
Court rejects request to throw out Missouri county's ordinance, ruling that the games aren't constitutionally protected forms of speech.  04.25.02

State House OKs bill requiring clergy to report child molestation
Massachusetts measure would exempt information gained during confession or similar confidential religious consultation.  04.25.02

Arkansas public TV station must air political consultant's show
Federal judge's decision comes hours after governor testifies that he hadn't tried to have program pulled.  04.25.02

Oregon appeals court upholds anti-sex show law
Majority says free-expression rights of adult business owner weren't violated by his conviction for promoting illegal sexual conduct in live show.  04.25.02

TV station can't interview death-row inmate
Judge cites security concerns in denying NBC affiliate's request to interview prisoner scheduled to be first woman executed in Alabama in 45 years.  04.25.02

Talk-show host wants answers from governor about possible pressure to kill program
Meanwhile, lawyer for the state doesn't dispute that Roby Brock's statements led Arkansas public TV station to yank program.  04.24.02

Ohio lawmakers pass moment-of-silence bill
Governor says he will sign measure allowing schools to set aside daily time for silent prayer or reflection.  04.24.02

55% oppose sacrificing civil liberties for security
More than half of Americans surveyed by university say they don't want to give up constitutional rights in government's fight against terrorism.  04.24.02

Campus paper claims police mistreated journalists covering hockey melee
Editor: Police used unreasonable force, infringed on First Amendment rights of four Minnesota Daily staffers.  04.24.02

State accuses tobacco company of targeting teens
California official says R.J. Reynolds should be punished for having 'aimed its advertising at teens by advertising in magazines that teens read.'  04.24.02

N.J. high court upholds ban on news media contact with jurors
But justices say restriction should expire when second jury reaches verdict in rabbi's murder trial.  04.23.02

Federal judge strikes down Vermont child-porn law
Court finds statute too broadly restricts indecent speech that is protected under the Constitution.  04.23.02

Most power-contract information must stay secret
News media plan to appeal Montana judge's decision to state high court.  04.23.02

Utah newspaper to fight reporter's subpoena
County attorney's office lists journalist as witness in case against murder defendant.  04.23.02

Page last updated: 5/2/2013 6:23:01 AM