Meet the Press

Meet the Press

 

Freedom of the Press

Who is “the press”?

Courts have long struggled with this seemingly easy question. While no doubt exists that “mainstream” media, such as broadcast stations, newspapers and magazines enjoy the freedom of “the press,” the line gets blurrier in cases involving underground newspapers, freelance writers and pamphleteers. In general, however, courts have defined “the press” so as to include all publishers. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, for example, has said that First Amendment protections extend to “‘every sort of publication which affords a vehicle of information and opinion.’” von Bulow v. von Bulow, 811 F.2d 136, 144 (2d Cir.) (quoting Lovell v. Griffin, 303 U.S. 444, 452 (1938)), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1015 (1987).

 Are blogs protected under the First amendment?

 Let's find out!

Facebook Fights Gag Order On Grounds Of Free Speech

Reuters reports Facebook fights U.S. Gag Order that it says Chills Free Speech.

Facebook Inc is challenging a gag order from a U.S. court that is preventing the company from talking about three government search warrants that it said pose a threat to freedom of speech, according to court documents.

Facebook said it wants to notify three users about the search warrants seeking their communications and information and also give those users an opportunity to object to the warrants, according to a filing in a Washington, D.C., appeals court seen by Reuters.

“We believe there are important First Amendment concerns with this case, including the government’s refusal to let us notify three people of broad requests for their account information in connection with public events,” Facebook said in a statement on Monday.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees certain rights including freedom of speech.

William Miller, a spokesman for U.S. prosecutors, declined to comment.

Facebook decided to challenge the gag order around the three warrants because free speech was at stake and because the events underlying the government’s investigation were generally known to the public already, Facebook said in the undated court document.

The precise nature of the government’s investigation is not known. One document in the case said the timing of proceedings coincides with charges against people who protested President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.

 

 "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."

-- YogiBerra

So, why are there blogs in Templeton?

Are these blogs another way of providing information to people?

Is everyone required to read blogs?

Is everyone required to like blogs?
Maybe these blogs are an alternative to the selective "reporting" in the Gardner News !

Templeton currently has one selectboard member

who has been anointed Judge, Jury and Executioner regarding Free Speech in Templeton.

 has called for the resignation and training of Advisory Committee members. Unsure at this time,  if the training is to occur before or after said resignation. Why? Because of the exercise of Free Speech on this blog and other blogs.

Once, again. Reading this blog is not mandatory! 

On this blog, if you wish to post a comment, you need to identify yourself to Dave Smart smart@nii.net 

These are my opinions! Protected under Free Speech!

Julie Farrell 

Have a great day!