The ongoing ordeal of a U.S. businessman who has been rotting in a Dubai jail for more than two years, deprived of his civil rights, should serve as a warning to Americans and Westerners alike doing business with Dubai, a constituent monarchy of … [Read more...] about Dubai: The Golden Mirage
Archives for 2010
Federal Law Opposing ‘Libel Tourism’ Approved By Congress
As the founder of the movement against libel tourism, I congratulate Congress for unanimously passing HR 2765 (as amended by the Leahy-Sessions ’Speech’ Act) on July 27th. A bipartisan bill, the ’Speech’ Act is based on New York State’s “Libel … [Read more...] about Federal Law Opposing ‘Libel Tourism’ Approved By Congress
Media On The Edge: Senate Moves Unanimously To Protect Free Speech
In a rare show of unanimity, the United States Senate approved legislation last week that would prevent the domestic enforcement of foreign libel judgments that do not meet American standards of due process and free speech protection. The Securing … [Read more...] about Media On The Edge: Senate Moves Unanimously To Protect Free Speech
Limiting 'Libel Tourism'
Rachel Ehrenfeld has led a campaign to protect authors sued for libel in countries where freedom-of-speech protections are not as strong as those in the U.S. It's called "libel tourism" — the practice of bringing a defamation lawsuit against an … [Read more...] about Limiting 'Libel Tourism'
A Victory For Writing
It is a rare achievement these days for the Senate to pass anything of real substance by a unanimous vote. But an important bill that protects Americans from the whims of foreign libel judgments was passed earlier this week by unanimous consent. Once … [Read more...] about A Victory For Writing
NYT Columnist Faces Civil And Criminal Charges, But New Law May Get Him Off The Hook
New York Times writer Joe Sharkey insists that he never called the country of Brazil "Most idiot of all Idiots." Nor did he call the nation a "banana." But, it is no laughing matter to Sharkey, a long-time, highly influential columnist for the New … [Read more...] about NYT Columnist Faces Civil And Criminal Charges, But New Law May Get Him Off The Hook
Speech Act Passes U.S. Senate By Unanimous Consent
Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, author of Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed - and How to Stop It, and founder of the movement against libel tourism, praised the United States Senate for passing the Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established … [Read more...] about Speech Act Passes U.S. Senate By Unanimous Consent
Additional View To The Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Report 111-224, The Speech Act
VII. ADDITIONAL VIEWS ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF SENATOR KYL The complementary freedoms of speech and the press enshrined by our founding fathers in the First Amendment are cornerstones of American society. As Thomas Jefferson famously said, ‘‘Our liberty … [Read more...] about Additional View To The Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Report 111-224, The Speech Act
Floor Statement Immediately Following Vote Re: H.R. 2765
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate has passed important bipartisan legislation to reduce the chilling effect that foreign libel lawsuits are having on Americans’ first amendment rights. I am the son of printers and I consider this a matter … [Read more...] about Floor Statement Immediately Following Vote Re: H.R. 2765
ACLU Supports H.R. 2765 "Securing The Protection Of Our Enduring And Established Constitutional Heritage (Speech) Act"
Dear Senator: On behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), its more than half a million members, countless additional activists and supporters, and fifty- three affiliates nationwide, we write in support of H.R. 2765, the Securing the … [Read more...] about ACLU Supports H.R. 2765 "Securing The Protection Of Our Enduring And Established Constitutional Heritage (Speech) Act"