The Citizen Participation Act of 2009
Libel Tourism Legislation
FASP supports H.R. 2765, which would protect against libel tourism. Libel tourism is the practice of bringing cases against U.S. speakers and authors in foreign courts that lack free speech protections. This bill requires a U.S. court to refuse to enforce any foreign judgment that the court finds is in violation of either the First Amendment or Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Free Speech Protection Act of 2009
S. 449, H.R. 1304
FASP also supports the Free Speech Protection Act, another libel tourism bill, which is making its way through the house. The bill would create a federal cause of action to determine whether defamation exists under United States law in cases in which defamation actions have been brought in foreign courts against United States defendants on the basis of publications or speech in the United States.
Free Flow of Information Act of 2009
S. 448, H.R. 985
FASP supports the Free Flow of Information Act, which would provide conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.
On October 1st, 2009, the New York Times reported that the White House had sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee proposed amendments to the Free Flow of Information Act, that would weaken the protections currently offered in the bill.
In September 2009, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary hit a snag in approving the Senate legislation, with some members citing national security concerns.
The Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press reports on a compromise between the Obama administration and Senators Schumer and Specter to produce a new version of the Free Flow of Information Act that protects a broad range of journalistic activity and a balance between journalists' rights and national security interests. The House and Senate judiciary committees are both set to mark up the new language on Thursday, November 5.
For more information, see this Special Report from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an excellent resource that recaps the process of passing reporter's shield legislation.
The Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009
This Act would protect petitioning activity by not allowing court enforcement of settlement that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency. It would also protect speech in connection with a public interest by prohibiting a court from enforcing any settlement agreement that bans disclosure on matters of health or safety.
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2009
Would provide for media access to court proceedings.
For detailed information on these and other bills, see:
THOMAS, a resource of the Library of Congress, which provides extensive online materials and search capabilities. These include the full text of bills and their status, searchable by key word or bill number; the Congressional Record, searchable by key word; digests and legislative history of bills and amendments, searchable by keyword, sponsor name, or committee; and a summary of "hot" legislation.
OpenCongress, which allows users to track bills, view which bills are most popular, and access each Senator or Representative’s official voting record, news and blog coverage, campaign contributions, and more.
Govtrack.us, which provides excellent coverage of current bills, including the capability to cross reference legislation of interest to other visitors. The links above are to Govtrack.
The The First Amendment Project also has a good summary of these and other bills pertaining to free speech.