On February 16, the News Media Alliance sent a letter to Missouri Rep. Perkins about his recent introduction of HB 2624—the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.
On November 30, the Alliance and seven other national and local associations sent a letter to the DC Council opposing an Amendment to DC’s anti-SLAPP law under consideration. The Attorney General of DC Karl Racine requested an Amendment that the anti-SLAPP motion “shall not apply to any claim for relief brought by the District.”
On October 26, the Alliance joined a brief, filed in the Ninth Circuit, arguing that California’s anti-SLAPP law should be applied in whole, including the attorneys fees provision. In CoreCivic v. Candide Group, the defendant successfully filed an anti-SLAPP motion, and the district court awarded them attorneys fees. The plaintiff appealed that decision, saying the anti-slapp law is inapplicable.
On November 3, the Alliance joined a brief, filed in the Ninth Circuit, arguing for robust anti-SLAPP law applicability. In Planet Aid v. Reveal, the plaintiff argued on appeal that California’s anti-SLAPP law should not apply in federal court. The brief, filed by the RCFP, argues that Ninth Circuit precedent requires the statute be applied in federal court and a contrary ruling would seriously harm the ability of Californians to freely exercise their First Amendment rights.
On October 13, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed an amicus brief that the Alliance signed onto in the Second Circuit in Coleman v. Grand.
LawView tracks state and federal bills that would affect news media publishers. Currently, we’re following legislative proposals falling in one of eight different topics as they pertain to news media: drones, online political ad disclosure, anti-SLAPP, federal, public notices, Freedom of Information Act, First Amendment and telemarketing.
