You need to give a sh*t
I'd like to start this post off with a challenge. Name a single pivotal moment in modern-history in which the media didn't play a role in. From murder trials, the only U.S. President to resign, and election coverage, our media is with us every step of the way. They not only report the happenings, but... Continue Reading →
Everyone go for the frontrunner! Who is that again?
Originally meant to be posted November 20th: As expected before a debate, many think pieces are published with predictions of who will get the brunt of attacks from fellow candidates. Following his new lead in New Hampshire polling, as well as Iowa's, Mayor Pete Buttigieg seemed like the clear choice to sport the target on... Continue Reading →
Guilty by association? Twitter thinks so.
Increasingly a breed of news reporting, that started as an easy way to include public opinion, is deciding what is news itself. This is, of course, the tweet-littered article with little original reporting to be seen. In my experience, journalists who use this tactic seem to have an uncanny ability to somehow filter their search... Continue Reading →
Can the simple exercising of speech cause harm?
In the study of constitutionally protected speech, there is much discussion on whether speech that incites violence, hate crimes, or intentional falsehoods should be protected. There is however, another category in which speech can and has been regulated that has nothing to do with its content or potential for violence. Sometimes, the overexercise of speech... Continue Reading →
Should we protect false speech in the era of ‘alternative facts’?
Does the First Amendment protect your right to lie? Is it still protected speech if it is false speech? The short answer is yes and no. Yes, false statements are protected as a form of speech, but no, it isn't in all cases. As Brandon May explains in a recent article, "The Supreme Court states... Continue Reading →
CNN, throw caution to the wind
Over the past few weeks, those with an interest of a truly free press were keeping a close eye on the battle between the White House and CNN's White House Correspondent Jim Acosta. After the White House pulled Acosta's press pass, unheard of prior to this instance, CNN pursued legal action against the Trump administration... Continue Reading →
Separation of church and state to get another day in the sun
The debate on where to draw the line between the separation of church and state has been at a near constant since the very words were written. Though the majority of the Founders and everyday Americans today agree that the United States should not establish a national religion, other areas where the church and the... Continue Reading →
Sure, but I’m not putting my name on it
In most landmark decisions, the opinion of the Court is written by the Chief Justice or most senior justice joining in the opinion. Because they are the cases that will studied for many years to come, justices want be the ones to pen the opinion and determine its language. It is through their written opinions... Continue Reading →
Exercising my right to call you a piece of sh*t
This New York Times opinion piece brought to my attention the latest addition to the conversation of free speech on college campuses. On September 27th, Professor Mitchell Langbert wrote an entry on his blog* where he characterizes sexual assault as an rite of passage for young men. A response following the allegations against Kavanaugh, Langbert... Continue Reading →
Free Press Free Speech 