Most analyses of Monday’s Supreme Court argument in Murthy v. Missouri, the case about government pressure on social media content moderation, agree that the justices are likely to rule that the government can influence platforms’ moderation decisions. But when it comes to alleged threats to “national security,” some justices seemed willing to let the government go even further by coercing — or even requiring — takedowns.
During a week celebrating government openness, three states — New Jersey, Colorado, and California — considered or enacted anti-transparency laws
Iowa senator can further his legacy of supporting whistleblowers and First Amendment freedoms
The Supreme Court seems to understand the First Amendment limits on government coercion of speech — except when it comes to national security
Public records and freedom of information laws are fundamental for government transparency. But when journalists fight for access to wrongfully withheld records at the state and local level, the public is paying the price, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Over the past year alone, local governments have paid journalists at least $1.6 million in attorneys fees — all of which was financed by taxpayers — following public records lawsuits.
Cornyn and Cruz have complained about spying on journalists before. Now they can help outlaw it
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker highlights costs of government secrecy to taxpayers
If the Burke prosecution succeeds, it will encourage the powerful to use a federal computer hacking law to attack reporting that embarrasses them or exposes their wrongdoing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his support this week for the PRESS Act, the strongest shield bill Congress has ever proposed. One of the most important things reporters can do is write about the PRESS Act in news reports or editorials, and non-journalists can help spread the word with op-eds and letters to the editor. Read more in our newsletter.
No more stalling. It’s time for Congress to revise and limit Section 702
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