Twitter Criticism of Public Figures Protected by First Amendment. San Francisco, CA - infoZine - A federal district court judge in Maryland blocked the government's use of a federal anti-stalking law to prosecute a man for posting insults and criticism of a public figure to Twitter, ruling that "the First Amendment protects speech even when the subject or manner of expression is uncomfortable and challenges conventional religious beliefs, political attitudes or standards of good taste.
" The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed an amicus brief in this case, arguing that the revised federal anti-stalking statute – expanded in 2006 as part of the Violence Against Women Act to criminalize causing emotional distress by means of an "interactive computer service" – was unconstitutionally vague and ran afoul of First Amendment protections as an unlawful content-based restriction. EFF argued that even though some criticism of public figures may be offensive, emotional distress was not a sufficient basis on which to criminalize speech. U.S. Judge Dismisses Twitter Stalking Case. Judge rejects Twitter cyberstalking case.
One judge rules that the First Amendment protects all speech -- including speech expressed on Twitter.
Alyce Zeoli, a Buddhist leader, pressed interstate stalking charges against William Cassidy Cassidy published more than 8,000 tweets about Zeoli often wishing death upon herThe judge dismissed Cassidy's indictment because it violated the First AmendmentJudge says the amendment protects free speech and didn't constitute a 'true threat' (CNN) -- A federal judge dismissed a case of cyberstalking on Twitter ruling that even though some tweets caused emotional stress, they are still considered free speech. The case involved Alyce Zeoli, a Buddhist leader based in Maryland. Stalking on Twitter is Protected Speech, U.S. Judge Rules.