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May 24, 2018 – Free Speech & Peace

Charles Koch Foundation Comment on Federal First Amendment Ruling

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A federal judge ruled yesterday that the President cannot block individuals from his Twitter feed. The decision to the case brought by the Knight First Amendment Center at Columbia University directs government officials using the platform for government purposes and does not restrict the platform itself.

“Technology and times change, but the First Amendment continues to prevent government from silencing or discriminating against citizens’ speech,” said Charles Koch Institute Senior Fellow Casey Mattox. “Whatever one’s view of yesterday’s opinion, we should all celebrate that no government official is too big and no impairment of our rights is too small for the First Amendment to apply. We congratulate staff and scholars at the Knight Institute who achieved this victory and are exploring myriad other questions regarding the cultural, legal, and scholarly implications of free expression in a digital age.”

The Charles Koch Foundation joined Democracy Fund and First Look Media in supporting the Knight First Amendment Center at Columbia University at the start of 2018 as part of our support of students, scholars, and partners working to understand the design, rights, and obligations of digital forums to enable an open exchange of ideas and social progress. To learn more, visit our request for proposals.