It has started. Pretext to authoritarianism: Trump demands Republicans ‘kill’ the bipartisan bill that would give journalists greater protections. More authoritarian insanity and destruction likely!

A US federal judge has struck down Donald Trump's $15bn defamation lawsuit against the New York Times newspaper, citing issues with its contents.

US District Judge Steven Merryday in his ruling on Friday said Trump had violated a federal rule requiring applicants to outline in a "short and plain statement" why they deserve relief from the court.

A legal complaint, the judge said, is not "a protected platform to rage against an adversary". He gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint.

In Florida, a public figure suing a media entity must prove more than just the falsity of a statement and that it is damaging, but must also show that the publisher acted with “actual malice”.

To do so, a plaintiff must show that the author published something either knowing that it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the statement’s truth or falsity. This standard was set by the Times v Sullivan case at the US supreme court in 1964, a landmark precedent that is a foundation of American journalism. Historically, it has required extraordinary evidence showing that a defendant actually knew the information was false or entertained serious doubts as to the truth of it before publication to be successful.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but 4 assassination attempts in a span of 14 months among prominent figures , with 2 dead... is a bridge too far. 

The Kimmell issue is an interesting one.  How should this be treated when he is knowingly spreading false information, with the risk this foments further anger in our society.  This is not healthy, but how do we balance "free speech." 

The underground world of chat forums (Covers included) doesn't help, with the mass of lefties calling Trump "Hitler", "Nazi", "the Fuhrer", "Racist", "POS"..  It's long overdue that are moderator in chief put a stop to this nonsense and namecalling of Trump.  You don't know what weak-minded individual is out there that may be influenced and resort to violence by reading these posts.  Just something to consider.    .  Again, 4 assassination attempts in a span of 14 months among prominent figures is not normal.  Please tighten up the name-calling of prominent figures that is permitted by this site.  

I agree. This has been a topic of discussion previously and it goes nowhere. I believe this is what some of the experts are indicating now that this part of free speech needs to stop. At least from I have heard recently. You should be able to get your point across, as a poster of any social media site, without calling someone heinous and ridiculous names over and over. You would have to question the intent of one who continually uses this type of behavior as well. What is their motive, really, for doing so. 

Oh, just let em whine! They no nothing else.

@jpot34

 You gotta be f*ckin kidding me.I can already hear the little bitches on here whining,if Biden had made sure some people on Fox were fired because they said something bad about him.And I know you would of been one of the ones whining the most.

Disturbing government censorship of Kimmel.  Governments can try to persuade media company but coercion is illegal.  Legal experts warn of violation of first amendment right because Trump threat lead directly to suppression of free speech.  Law could allow Kimmel to sue Trump administration.

Where did I say that I ever voted for the President...

That's a big assumption on your part, but if I recall, you are one of those posters that if one does not agree with you then they must be against you and must have surely voted for the guy you don't like...the logic is astounding by some that like to lump people as one...amazing..the guy I voted for... 

@ABooksNightmare

 Guy,I aint claiming to be no psychic,but everybody here knows that if you did in fact vote,that dumpy is the one you voted for.It aint that hard to figure out,

1.Hmm,he never says anything bad about trump,and always takes his side.

2.Always talks bad about the people on the other side of tump.

Gee,I wonder who he voted for.

Even still,lets pretend you didn't vote for trump.You are on here complaining about "a poster on a social media site not being able to get their point across without calling someone heinous and ridiculous names over and over'.But not so much as a peep when trump does it.

So if it makes you happy I'll change my statement to "So let me get this straight,you wanna hold a person posting on social media to a higher standard,then we do for the guy you consistently back at every turn,no matter what he does".There,feel better now?

[Quote: Originally Posted by ABooksNightmare]I agree. This has been a topic of discussion previously and it goes nowhere. I believe this is what some of the experts are indicating now that this part of free speech needs to stop. At least from I have heard recently. You should be able to get your point across, as a poster of any social media site, without calling someone heinous and ridiculous names over and over. You would have to question the intent of one who continually uses this type of behavior as well. What is their motive, really, for doing so.[/Quote]

..  I think it was your post I saw last week on the Charlie thread.  It was the first thing that came to mind after the assassination,  and you mentioned the same thing.  These young, brain-warped guys are resorting to social media, and becoming radicalized.  "Social media " is a broad term, but covers all kinds of chat rooms... like Covers.  Being dismissive of this fact (like our previous posters), shows how tone deaf some people are to this issue.   

fact

Pete Headset has decided the press will have limited access to the pentagon!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/hegseth-unveils-restrictions-pentagon-press-005054014.html

Which means nothing ! Because the world will still have access to Top Secret National Security information. All they need to do is keep their eyes on hegseth's social media accounts…..He loves to brag!

@MrWhatsItToYa

 Love the smell of anger is the morning.

@thirdperson

 So the Biden administration and his lame stream media buddies never censored anyone over the 4 years of hell? LOL!

@jpot34

 Supreme court rejects claim that Biden administration illegally coerced social media companies to censor pandemic misinformation.

Republican Ted Cruz criticizes Trump's Federal communication commission threat to censor free speech.  Dangerous for FCC chair Brendan Carr to fine or revoke broadcasting licenses of television networks without good reason.  Control of media and war against truth are among characteristics of fascism in government.

@thirdperson

 Thanks for the FACT CHECK update, thirdperson!   Keep them coming! 

Down the slippery slope slides America under republican rule...

...again.

very slowly  americans r starting to wake up to it

  HEADLINES today . . . 

trump's masked GESTAPO violently assault journalists in NY courthouse! 

The supreme court is totally playing their cards all wrong with trump.  They must believe that if they keep giving trump more and more power they will all be part of the trump family. They dont understand that trump uses everybody and when he gets everything he wants from the supreme court, he will throw them under the bus and say the country no longer needs a supreme court, he will handle the function of the supreme court. Thats day for sure is coming and these justices are too blind to see the trump train is gonna run them right over.

The next democratic president needs to be bold! Expand the supreme courts and really work toward strengthening the guard rails of this country.  What Trump is doing now is an utter disgrace and needs to be reigned in for the future of the US!

Exactly  Lets just hope that democrats get a chance to fix the shit trump is destroying in our country, so that he can become a dictator.  Using our military in our streets, is all part of his take over plan and yet the maga morons dont see it.  They all believe they will be part of team trump lollllll. They will be useless to him when his plan is complete and hes in 100 percent control of everything

trump's MAGA-GESTAPO pushed a videographer and another reporter to the ground, a Reuters witness said.

The videographer hit his head and was taken out of the building on a stretcher, the witness added.

His back and head were hurt. He was taken to the hospital, where he was examined and discharged with pain medicine, he said.

 [thankfully no serious injuries this time as a result of MAGA violence, unless that victim develops concussion symptoms overnight]

Overly aggressive ICE agents bully Americans instead of defending national security.  This is why police should be unmasked so that they could be identified and held accountable.