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Tag: free speech

Court OKs library Internet filters

Court OKs library Internet filters

The Washington Supreme Court says public libraries may filter out porn sites from their computers without violating the state’s strong constitutional guarantees of free speech. In a 6-3 decision, the court said: “A public library has traditionally and historically enjoyed broad discretion to select materials to add to its collection of printed materials for its patrons’ use.  We conclude that the same discretion must be afforded a public library to choose what materials from millions of Internet sites it will…

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R-71 petition case drawing national attention

R-71 petition case drawing national attention

A Washington state public-records case involving initiative and referendum petitions is one of two big cases headed to the U.S. Supreme Court from the West in April.  Both are drawing national attention because they involve tricky First Amendment issues, political participation, and the right of government to lay down rules for non-discrimination and for open and transparent government. Both cases arise from our 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. One deals with whether a law school may deny recognition to a…

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