Category Archives: Free Speech

RICHMOND, Virginia - Clicking "Like" on Facebook is constitutionally protected free speech, a US federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond reversed a lower court ruling that said merely "liking" a Facebook page was insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection.

Exactly what a "like" means - if anything - played a part in a case involving six people who say Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts fired them for supporting an opponent in his 2009 re-election bid, which he won.

The workers sued, saying their First Amendment free speech protections were violated.

Roberts said some of the workers were let go because he wanted to replace them with sworn deputies while others were fired because of poor performance or his belief that their actions "hindered the harmony and efficiency of the office." One of those workers, Daniel Ray Carter, had "liked" the Facebook page of Roberts' opponent, Jim Adams.

US District Judge Raymond Jackson in Norfolk had ruled in April 2012 that while public employees are allowed to speak as citizens on matters of public concern, clicking the "like" button does not amount to expressive speech. In other words, it's not the same as actually writing out a message and posting it on the site.

Jackson acknowledged that other courts have ruled that Facebook posts are constitutionally protected speech, but he said in those cases there were "actual statements." Simply clicking a button is much different and doesn't warrant First Amendment protection, he wrote.

In his ruling, Jackson acknowledged the need to weigh whether the employee's speech was a substantial factor in being fired. But the judge wrote that the point is moot if "liking" something isn't constitutionally protected speech.

The three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, ruling that:

"[L]iking a political candidate's campaign page communicates the user's approval of the candidate and supports the campaign by associating the user with it. In this way, it is the internet equivalent of displaying a political sign in one's front yard, which the Supreme Court has held is substantive speech."

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US court: Facebook 'Like' is free speech

RICHMOND, Va. Clicking Like on Facebook is constitutionally protected free speech and can be considered the 21st century-equivalent of a campaign yard sign, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond reversed a lower court ruling that said merely liking a Facebook page was insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection. Exactly what a like means if anything played a part in a Virginia case involving six people who say Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts fired them for supporting an opponent in his 2009 re-election bid, which he won. The workers sued, saying their First Amendment rights were violated.

Roberts said some of the workers were let go because he wanted to replace them with sworn deputies while others were fired because of poor performance or his belief that their actions hindered the harmony and efficiency of the office. One of those workers, Daniel Ray Carter, had liked the Facebook page of Roberts opponent, Jim Adams.

U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson in Norfolk had ruled in April 2012 that while public employees are allowed to speak as citizens on matters of public concern, clicking the like button does not amount to expressive speech. In other words, its not the same as actually writing out a message and posting it on the site.

Jackson acknowledged that other courts have ruled that Facebook posts are constitutionally protected speech, but he said in those cases there were actual statements. Simply clicking a button is much different and doesnt warrant First Amendment protection, he wrote. In his ruling, Jackson acknowledged the need to weigh whether the employees speech was a substantial factor in being fired. But the judge wrote that the point is moot if liking something isnt constitutionally protected speech.

The three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, ruling that liking a political candidates campaign page communicates the users approval of the candidate and supports the campaign by associating the user with it. In this way, it is the Internet equivalent of displaying a political sign in ones front yard, which the Supreme Court has held is substantive speech. The case was sent back to the lower court.

Facebook and the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed friend of court briefs in the case, applauded Wednesdays ruling. This ruling rightly recognizes that the First Amendment protects free speech regardless of the venue, whether a sentiment is expressed in the physical world or online, Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU Speech, Privacy & Technology Project, said in a written statement. The Constitution doesnt distinguish between liking a candidate on Facebook and supporting him in a town meeting or public rally.

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‘Like’ on Facebook is free speech, federal appeals court rules

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia gave its ruling Wednesday 'Internet equivalent of displaying a political sign in one's front yard': The case has its roots in a sheriff's decision to fire workers who 'liked' his political opponents

By Ap Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:44 EST, 18 September 2013 | UPDATED: 16:44 EST, 18 September 2013

Clicking 'Like' on Facebook is constitutionally protected free speech and can be considered the 21st century-equivalent of a campaign yard sign, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond reversed a lower court ruling that said merely 'liking' a Facebook page was insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection.

Exactly what a 'like' means if anything played a part in a Virginia case involving six people who say Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts fired them for supporting an opponent in his 2009 re-election bid, which he won. The workers sued, saying their First Amendment rights were violated.

Like it or not: A federal court has ruled that 'liking' something on Facebook is constitutionally protected free speech

Roberts said some of the workers were let go because he wanted to replace them with sworn deputies while others were fired because of poor performance or his belief that their actions 'hindered the harmony and efficiency of the office.'

One of those workers, Daniel Ray Carter, had 'liked' the Facebook page of Roberts' opponent, Jim Adams.

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Facebook 'Like' button ruled as constitutionally protected free speech

FREE SPEECH APPAREL at RAW:Cleveland En Masse 08/17/2013
Video footage shot by: SAM KINKOPF For more information about RAW: http://www.rawartists.org We Dig the Underground!

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FREE SPEECH APPAREL at RAW:Cleveland En Masse 08/17/2013 - Video

BitTorrent is making its biggest move yet in its quest to become a legitimate source of legal content: partnering with Madonna.

The queen of pop is using BitTorrent to distribute her new film, secretprojectrevolution, for free beginning Sept. 24. Madonna co-directed the 17-minute movie with photographer Steven Klein in an effort to raise awareness about human rightsspecifically, free speech.

The film launches Madonnas online Art for Freedom project, a call for crowdsourced videos, songs, poems, and photos that protest oppression and persecutionhashtagged #artforfreedom, obviously. VICE Media will be curating the project.

Madonna fans can download the secretprojectrevolution Bundle on BitTorrent beginning Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. EST. The Bundle includes film trailers and stills, but if you go a step further and submit your e-mail or make a donation, you unlock the HD and 2K versions of the film, a VICE interview with Madonna, and a message from the star.

BitTorrents Bundles arent solely for celebrities, though the company has collaborated with Public Enemy, the Pixies, and Linkin Park on Bundles this year. BitTorrent on Tuesday also launched BitTorrent Bundles for Publishers, an alpha program that lets artists, musicians, writers, and other content creators distribute bundles of any size and file type using the BitTorrent client.

BitTorrent seems like a natural fit for Madonnas project with its emphasis on the open and democratic nature of technology. The company has been criticized for being a little too liberal in its content distribution policiespeer-to-peer file-sharing is often used to download pirated content, but BitTorrent has strived this year to establish itself as a legitimate publishing platform with high-profile music, film, and book partnerships.

BitTorrent wants to prove that its 170 million users will pay for quality content. Bundles could be the gateway for artists to publish, distribute, and perhaps even make some money by sharing tantalizing previews of their workand yes, some free contentwith fans.

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BitTorrent and Madonna join forces for free speech

Calls To Boycott Free Speech Abuser Rush Limbaugh; Senator Leland Yee Gets Threats

By: TheNewsRoom360

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Calls To Boycott Free Speech Abuser Rush Limbaugh; Senator Leland Yee Gets Threats - Video

Posted: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 3:47 pm

Free Speech Wall held outside Old Main By Madison Baer | Collegian Staff Writer collegian.psu.edu

The Young Americans for Liberty held a Free Speech Wall at Old Main this afternoon to celebrate the 226th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

The Young Americans for Liberty are a national political organization that has chapters all across the country including one at Penn State. They stand by the principle of liberty and contain members from both ends of the political spectrum.

We are passing out free pocket Constitutions, and information about our organization here at Penn State, Jonathan Brandonisio (senior - psychology) said. We are also providing the Free Speech Wall for students to come and participate in recognizing the significance of Constitution Day.

The Free Speech Wall stood for all those passing by on campus with the question How much power should the government have?

Students were invited to come and write their responses in Sharpie to the question or any other thoughts they had on the wall. The responses from the students on campus varied from all lengths and views.

Penn State University Relations could not be initially reached for comment about the event.

Madison Baer can be reached at mcb5500@psu.edu or at (814) 865-1828. Follow her on Twitter at @MaddieCrossley.

Posted in Campus, Mobile on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 3:47 pm. | Tags: Young Americans For Liberty, Free Speech, Old Main, Us Constitution

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Free Speech Wall held outside Old Main

Free Speech in the 21st Century - William Bennett Turner
Free Speech in the 21st Century William Bennett Turner Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Oct 1-Nov 5 Bedrock principles established under the 18th-century First Amendment o...

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Free Speech in the 21st Century - William Bennett Turner - Video

Don Free Speech Evaluator

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Don Free Speech Evaluator - Video

George Galloway Respect party: Free Afghanistan, free Palestine,free speech -Winnipeg Canada 2010
Join Cip n Kev on our Radio show G.U.N.N Sundays UK 8pm - 10pm http://truthfrequencyradio.com/schedule/ https://www.facebook.com/cipsclips http://www.faceboo...

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George Galloway Respect party: Free Afghanistan, free Palestine,free speech -Winnipeg Canada 2010 - Video