<<freedom of the press? Say what?! >>
Perhaps my esteemed friend Ms. Payne (related to Thomas, no doubt) meant to say "freedom of speech" as governed by the First Amendment, which as I'm sure you know, requires that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . .."
The First Amendment generally covers libel and slander, but I don't have any specific case law to cite that covers internet posting. In general, opinions are protected, as noted by the Supreme Court in New York Times v. Sullivan. Rizzuto v. Nexxus Products Co., is also a good one, and states that expressions of opinion, whether false or not, and no matter how pernicious, unreasonable or vituperative opinions expressed may be, are entitled to constitutional protection. |
