First Amendment

A federal judge refused to dismiss most of a First Amendment lawsuit filed by a former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist who was fired because of a social-media post after the murder of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

On "The Florida Roundup," lawyer, FIU adjunct professor and author of "Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid's Guide to the First Amendment," Allison Matulli, explained how people need to understand what free speech even means.

After a nine-year legal battle, the high court let stand an appeals court ruling in favor of the FHSAA, which denied Cambridge Christian's request to use a football stadium loudspeaker for prayer.

A federal judge heard arguments on Wednesday in the case of a University of Florida law student expelled for antisemitic tweets. His lawyer said he was being wrongly punished for views the school simply didn't like, while UF responded it has every right to remove anyone threatening violence.

The Escambia County School Board has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees to keep certain books out of school libraries.

The lawsuit alleges that the termination "was punishment for expressing a view disfavored by certain state officials."

FIRE, a prominent free speech advocacy group, is criticizing the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and several Florida teachers for their comments on the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

In his ruling, the judge wrote the law “does not evaluate the work to determine if it has any holistic value” and “does not specify what level of detail ‘describes sexual conduct.’”

Republicans say the bill would keep age-inappropriate books off school shelves. Opponents warn it would dramatically boost book removals in Florida — again.

Last year, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis created a law banning minors under 16 from social media platforms, except for 14- and 15-year-olds with parental permission. Now, lawmakers want to allow parents to view messages and are targeting apps like Snapchat.

Groups representing communications companies are arguing the 2024 measure unconstitutionally limits free speech. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker says he may make a decision within three weeks.

Attorneys for several publishing companies, authors and other plaintiffs filed a document that, in part, disputed a state position that selection of school library books is “government speech” and, as a result, is not subject to the First Amendment.