NYT on Free Speech: Speech We Loathe Is Speech We Must Defend

New York Times

Federal Court Protects Free Speech on Social Media!

 This is huge! Judge Doughty issued this order on July 4! Then he perhaps had a burger and shot off some fireworks celebrating liberty!!!

From Politico:

A federal judge in Louisiana ruled Tuesday that the Biden administration likely violated the First Amendment by censoring unfavorable views on social media over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, calling the efforts “Orwellian.”

U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty also issued a sweeping preliminary injunction barring numerous federal officials and agencies — including Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and all employees of the Justice Department and FBI — from having any contact with social media firms for the purpose of discouraging or removing First Amendment-protected speech.

 

Here is a powerful quote from Judge Doughty's memorandum ruling:

 " Although this case is still relatively young, and at this stage the Court is only examining it in terms of Plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on the merits, the evidence produced thus far depicts  an   almost   dystopian   scenario.   During   the   COVID-19   pandemic,  a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian 'Ministry of Truth.'”

Whoa! I don't know if this injunction will stand, but regardless, it is wonderful to see these censorship efforts by the National Government see the light of day. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.