free speech

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Ben & Jerry's Founder Clashes With Owner Over Gaza Flavor

Ben Cohen suggests Unilever's move is 'corporate butt kissing' to President Trump

(Newser) - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen is accusing parent company Unilever of stifling free speech after the company allegedly blocked the brand from releasing an ice cream flavor supporting peace in Gaza. Speaking to the Guardian , Cohen described Unilever's move as a "corporate attack on free speech"...

SCOTUS Poised to Give Conservatives Big LGBTQ Win

Majority sounds skeptical of Colorado law banning therapists from using 'conversion therapy'

(Newser) - The Supreme Court heard arguments in its first big case of the new term on Tuesday, and it seems poised to hand conservatives a victory on a closely watched LGBTQ issue. The court signaled skepticism toward a law in Colorado that bans "conversion therapy" for minors, reports Reuters...

Ramaswamy to GOP: Time to Stop 'Owning the Libs'

Ohio gubernatorial candidate calls for less hostility, more persuasion within his party's ranks

(Newser) - Vivek Ramaswamy, now vying for Ohio's governor seat, is set to tell fellow Republicans it's time to drop the "owning the libs" routine. Ramaswamy's remarks—scheduled for a Turning Point USA event on Tuesday at Montana State University—mark a sharp pivot from the combative...

Chappelle Claims It's 'Easier to Talk' in Riyadh

'Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you'll get canceled'

(Newser) - "It's easier to talk here than it is in America," Dave Chappelle told a cheering audience during his controversial appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. "Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you'll get canceled," he...

Veep Creator Is Having Problems With Trump Project

Armando Iannucci says US financiers are worried about MAGA retribution

(Newser) - Veep creator Armando Iannucci is finding out that it can be tricky to poke fun at President Trump these days—especially if you need American funding. Speaking at a Creative UK event, the British satirist said that his latest idea, a project riffing on Trump's speeches, has hit...

In Blistering Ruling, Judge Slams Trump, Deportations

President has a 'palpable misunderstanding' of free speech, writes Reagan appointee

(Newser) - A federal judge lit into President Trump and his administration's efforts to arrest and deport international students protesting on behalf of Palestinians in extraordinary fashion on Tuesday:
  • US District Judge William Young in Boston called the crackdown illegal, describing it as a "truly scandalous and unconstitutional suppression
...

Big-Name Comics Face Backlash Over Saudi Fest

Critics, including other comedians, call out comics for performing in Riyadh amid rights concerns

(Newser) - A wave of criticism has hit top comedians like Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis CK, and Bill Burr for joining a Saudi government-backed comedy festival , as the kingdom faces renewed scrutiny for human rights abuses, recent executions, and the killing of journalists. The event, part of Saudi Arabia's...

YouTube Promises Republicans It Will Restore Banned Accounts

Move follows GOP probe of tech, Biden, and alleged speech policing

(Newser) - YouTube says it has a plan to restore accounts that were banned for violating platform rules on misinformation regarding COVID-19 and the 2020 election, the New York Times reports. The company outlined the new approach in a letter Tuesday to the House Judiciary Committee, signaling a shift as YouTube...

Joe Rogan Breaks Silence on Kimmel's Suspension

Podcaster calls out government role in late-night TV incident

(Newser) - After nearly a week of radio silence, Joe Rogan emerged from an elk-hunting trip to finally address the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show—a move reportedly prompted by pressure from the Trump administration. Speaking on his podcast Tuesday, Rogan, a vocal free-speech advocate and endorser of Trump...

Sinclair Stations Still Won't Air Jimmy Kimmel

After suspension, late-night show stays off in 30 major markets

(Newser) - Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to air Tuesday, but viewers in 30 US markets won't be able to tune in as usual, People reports. The Walt Disney Company on Monday announced the late-night program's comeback following a brief suspension that began last week, a move...

Artists Cancel Performances at Disney Documentary Premiere

Sarah McLachlan cites 'solidarity in support of free speech' at screening of Lilith Fair documentary

(Newser) - Sarah McLachlan pulled out of a planned performance Sunday night at the premiere of Disney's new documentary on the Lilith Fair music festival. At the Los Angeles screening, the Canadian singer-songwriter said the move was to show support for free speech, USA Today reports. She said she had...

Stern: I'm Canceling Disney Subscription Over Kimmel

Suspension is the 'wrong direction for our country,' he says

(Newser) - Howard Stern is the latest public figure calling out ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel . On his SiriusXM show Monday, Stern blasted the Disney-owned network for yanking Kimmel's late-night program because of his comments after Charlie Kirk's murder, reports Billboard . Two quotes:
  • "When the government says,
...

Jay Leno Weighs In on Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Leno and others defend Kimmel as free speech debate grows

(Newser) - Jay Leno has weighed in on ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel's recent monologue drew criticism from the Federal Communications Commission, according to the Hollywood Reporter . Speaking at Chris Wallace's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony Thursday, Leno backed Kimmel, saying, "I'm...

Cruz Warns Allies FCC Move Could Backfire

Strategy to silence Kimmel could be used against others, senator says

(Newser) - Editorials from Republican-leaning outlets including the Wall Street Journal and the Free Press have objected to the FCC chairman's push to knock Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air . GOP Sen. Ted Cruz has joined the outcry, warning allies they might come to regret their victory, the Washington Post...

Eisner Questions Disney After Kimmel Suspension

Former CEO criticizes former company's response to political pressure over Kimmel's Kirk remarks

(Newser) - It's been almost a year and a half since Michael Eisner posted anything on his X account, but this week the ex-Disney CEO broke his silent streak, criticizing his former company's leadership for its decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show on ABC, which Disney owns....

Tucker Carlson Hints at 'Civil Disobedience' in US

Ex-Fox pundit says disobedience would be justified if government uses Kirk killing to target 'hate speech'

(Newser) - Tucker Carlson's volatile relationship with President Trump may have just cycled back to being a critical one, this time centered on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the Trump administration's reaction to it. The former Fox News host's main beef: the government's targeting of...

Sotomayor: US Should Learn Limits of Presidential Power

'Do we understand what the difference is between a king and a president?'

(Newser) - Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor cautioned Tuesday that a shaky grasp of civics is leaving Americans unsure where presidential power stops and monarchy begins. Speaking at a New York Law School event, Sotomayor argued that too few citizens understand the constitutional limits set on the presidency—a gap she...

YouTube's New AI System to Shake Out Young Users

Age-verification protocols to find underage viewers will be based on the videos they watch

(Newser) - YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the US that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos they've been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's US audience, but will likely...

Supreme Court Rules on Age Checks for Porn Sites

SCOTUS greenlights age verification for those under 18 in 6-3 decision

(Newser) - The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a Texas law aimed at blocking children under 18 from seeing online pornography, reports the AP . Nearly half of all states have passed similar age verification laws, as smartphones and other devices make it easier to access online porn, including hardcore obscene material. The...

Man Jokes About Mayor, Gets Subpoena Days Later

It was issued by the city, not a court

(Newser) - A man who joked online about a Missouri mayor says he received a "ridiculous" subpoena days later. The Washington Post reports that after a 15-year-old boy disappeared in Riverview last month, James Carroll wrote, "Someone check Riverview's mayor's basement!" on the city's Nextdoor group....

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