Click here to view the January 2016 Media, Entertainment and First Amendment Newsletter PDF.
A Congressional Anti-Gag Maneuver: Senate Unanimously Approves the Consumer Review Freedom Act
By David A. Bell and Tiffany Ferris
On December 14, 2015, the United States Senate unanimously approved The Consumer Review Freedom Act. The proposed law, if passed, would outlaw so-called "gag clauses," contract provisions used by businesses that prohibit or restrict a consumer's ability to write reviews of products and services.
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Fifth Circuit Finds No First Amendment Violation for Denial of Discretionary Film Funding
On December 28, 2015, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas District Court's ruling that Texas' denial of state funding to the film "Machete Kills" under Texas' film incentives program did not violate the First Amendment or Texas Constitution. Pursuant to the State's Moving Industry Image Incentive Program ("Incentive Program"), a grant program to promote film, television, and multimedia industries in Texas, the state may deny funding to a project that contains "inappropriate content or content that portrays Texas or Texans in a negative fashion."
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Dallas Appeals Court Allows Libel Claim Against Columnist to Proceed
By Thomas J. Williams and Nick Nelson
Public figure plaintiffs suing media entities for libel must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant published a false and defamatory statement with "actual malice," i.e., with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity. Even plaintiffs who are not public figures must establish actual malice to recover exemplary damages.
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For more information contact:
David Bell at david.bell@haynesboone.com or 214.651.5248
Laura Lee Prather at laura.prather@haynesboone.com or 512.867.8476
Tom Williams at thomas.williams@haynesboone.com or 817.347.6625
Tiffany Ferris at tiffany.ferris@haynesboone.com or 214.651.5152
Nick Nelson at nick.nelson@haynesboone.com or 214.651.5728
Catherine Robb at catherine.robb@haynesboone.com or 512.867.8421