All articles tagged with #freespeech
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Politico
The US State Department revoked visas of foreigners who celebrated Charlie Kirk's assassination, citing concerns over threats to free speech and political violence, following Kirk's death and a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ADF International
The Belgian court has ruled in favor of the National Conservatism Conference, allowing it to resume without interference from state authorities after being shut down due to its "ethically conservative" beliefs on abortion, marriage, and the EU. The court upheld the right to peaceful assembly and free speech, criticizing the attempt to shut down the conference as a threat to fundamental freedoms. The decision was supported by ADF International, and concerns were raised about censorship and political pressure on conservative viewpoints in Europe.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Moscow Times
Russia is set to debate a bill that would allow the confiscation of money, property, and valuables from individuals convicted of spreading "fakes" about its army, with the support of major parliamentary factions. This move comes after Moscow made criticism of the military illegal following its assault on Ukraine, and aims to punish those who "pour mud" on the country, soldiers, and officers involved in the special military operation. The charge of spreading "false information" about the army already carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years, and has been used to stifle dissent.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by PBS NewsHour
Following the Oct. 7th attacks, Israel has intensified its crackdown on social media posts that are perceived to support Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. Palestinians and Arab citizens of Israel have reported being arrested and facing abuse with little evidence of wrongdoing. The crackdown has raised concerns about the proportionality of Israel's response and the future of free speech in the region. Human rights organizations and lawyers argue that the measures are excessive and could lead to further unrest.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Salt Lake Tribune
During a Utah Jazz game, Rabbi Avremi Zippel and others were told to put away their signs stating "I'm a Jew and I'm proud" after a complaint allegedly from NBA player Kyrie Irving, known for past antisemitic controversies. The Jazz later claimed the issue was the disruptive interaction caused by the signs, not their content. Irving's representatives have denied he complained, raising questions about who did and why. The incident has sparked a debate on free speech and the appropriateness of messages at sports events, highlighting the tension between expressions of identity and perceived disruptions.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
During a Utah Jazz game against the Dallas Mavericks, a group of rabbis were asked to remove signs stating "I'm a Jew and I'm proud" after Kyrie Irving, a Mavericks player previously suspended for sharing antisemitic content, found them distracting. The Jazz organization stated the removal was due to the signs causing a disruption, not their content, but Rabbi Avremi Zippel expressed disappointment over the team's handling of the situation. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding antisemitism in sports and society.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Dave Chappelle's latest Netflix special, "The Dreamer," has drawn criticism from liberal media critics for its jokes about the transgender community, continuing a pattern that has previously sparked backlash and protests. Critics from Rolling Stone, Variety, and BuzzFeed have accused Chappelle of being "obsessed" with the topic and lacking nuance in his humor. Conservative commentators argue that the outrage is manufactured for clicks and an attack on free speech, suggesting that making fun of all communities is a form of inclusion and equality in comedy. Despite the controversy, Chappelle continues to receive laughter from audiences and has recently won a Grammy for best comedy album, which also faced criticism from entertainment outlets.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The US Sun
Dr. Joe Gow, the Chancellor of Wisconsin-La Crosse University, was dismissed from his position after participating in vegan-themed adult films with his wife on OnlyFans. Gow argues that his termination infringes on his right to free speech, claiming he was not given due process or informed of any specific policy violation. University President Jay Rothman condemned the content as inappropriate for someone in Gow's leadership role. An independent law firm is investigating the matter.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow was fired after pornographic videos with his wife surfaced online, which he claims is a violation of his First Amendment rights. The UW Board of Regents unanimously voted to terminate Gow, citing reputational harm to the university. Gow argues that he was given no due process and that his actions are protected under the principles of free speech and academic freedom. The university has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by HuffPost
A federal judge has ruled against Elon Musk's attempt to avoid complying with a California content moderation law, which mandates social media companies to disclose their content moderation practices. The law, Assembly Bill 587, aims to reduce misinformation and hate speech online and requires companies with over $100 million in revenue to submit reports starting in 2024. Musk's company, X Corp., argued the law was unconstitutional, but the judge found they were unlikely to succeed on the merits of their challenge. Musk has faced criticism for his handling of content moderation on Twitter, particularly after reinstating controversial figures like Alex Jones.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Newsweek
Pornhub has blocked access to its site for users in Montana in response to a new law requiring age verification to view adult content. Montana Senate Bill 544 mandates that individuals must prove they are at least 18 years old using methods like government-issued ID, which Pornhub argues compromises user safety and privacy. The law, which passed with bipartisan support and is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, has sparked debate over privacy and free speech rights. This move by Pornhub reflects ongoing legal disputes in the U.S. regarding access to sexually explicit material online.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WEAU
Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow was terminated by the Board of Regents for producing and appearing in pornographic videos with his wife, which the university claims caused reputational harm. Gow argues that his activities, which did not involve the university or violate any stated policies, are expressions of free speech and is considering legal action against the board for what he perceives as a wrongful termination.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Moscow Times
A Russian man, Ivan Losev, has been fined for the fourth time since December for "discrediting" the country's military. The latest fine of 120,000 rubles ($1,499) was for an Instagram post, but the court did not specify which one. Losev had previously been fined for sharing a dream he had about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. His mother was also fined for liking a post condemning the invasion on social media. Russia has made criticizing the military or sharing information about the war in Ukraine punishable with fines or jail time.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
Brie Larson, a juror at the Cannes Film Festival, was evasive when asked if she would attend the world premiere of "Jeanne du Barry," a historical drama starring Johnny Depp. Depp's legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard have led to his initial fallout from Hollywood, but he has received career achievement and tribute awards from various international film festivals. Larson has been an advocate of #MeToo and victims of sexual assault. The festival's chief Thierry Fremaux stood by the inclusion of the film, referring to it as a matter of free expression. Other topics discussed at the press conference include Hollywood's ongoing writers strike and the jury's selection process for this year's Palme d'or winner.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
Brie Larson, a juror at the Cannes Film Festival, was evasive when asked if she would attend the world premiere of "Jeanne du Barry," starring Johnny Depp. Depp's legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard have led to his initial fallout from Hollywood, but he has received career achievement awards and a brand ambassador deal with Dior. Larson has been an advocate of #MeToo and victims of sexual assault. The festival's chief, Thierry Fremaux, stood by the inclusion of the film, citing free expression. The press conference also covered topics such as Hollywood's writers strike and the jury's selection process for the Palme d'Or.