Beacon Commications, Inc. and the Rhode Island Press Association v. Kilmartin

  • Filed: 03/27/2012
  • Status: Closed
  • Latest Update: Mar 27, 2012
Placeholder image

A federal lawsuit challenging a state law that has been interpreted to bar the media from running advertisements containing the names and photographs of public officials without their permission. The lawsuit argues that the statute “has an impermissible and unconstitutional chilling effect on free speech and on the free exchange of ideas” in violation of the First Amendment.

Attorney(s):
Mark Freel

Governor Signs Law Protecting Media from Suits for Political Advertising

In response to a lawsuit the ACLU filed in January, the General Assembly has favorably amended a state law that had been interpreted to bar the media from running advertisements containing the names and photographs of public officials without their permission. As a result, the ACLU is voluntarily dismissing the lawsuit as moot.

Placeholder image

ACLU and Press Groups Challenge State Law Restricting Political Advertising

The Rhode Island Press Association and Beacon Communications, the publisher of the Warwick Beacon, have today filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that has been interpreted to bar the media from running advertisements containing the names and photographs of public officials without their permission. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on the groups’ behalf by the Rhode Island ACLU, argues that the statute “has an impermissible and unconstitutional chilling effect on free speech and on the free exchange of ideas” in violation of the First Amendment.

Placeholder image

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
Jul 05, 2012
Placeholder image
  • First Amendment

Governor Signs Law Protecting Media from Suits for Political Advertising

In response to a lawsuit the ACLU filed in January, the General Assembly has favorably amended a state law that had been interpreted to bar the media from running advertisements containing the names and photographs of public officials without their permission. As a result, the ACLU is voluntarily dismissing the lawsuit as moot.
News & Commentary
Jan 04, 2012
Placeholder image
  • First Amendment

ACLU and Press Groups Challenge State Law Restricting Political Advertising

The Rhode Island Press Association and Beacon Communications, the publisher of the Warwick Beacon, have today filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that has been interpreted to bar the media from running advertisements containing the names and photographs of public officials without their permission. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on the groups’ behalf by the Rhode Island ACLU, argues that the statute “has an impermissible and unconstitutional chilling effect on free speech and on the free exchange of ideas” in violation of the First Amendment.