New Uniform Policy - Essay Example

Let me begin by noting that the funding of faith-based initiatives, in order to provide social services to the public, is a noble effort. That said, however, I would advise that you follow certain guidelines. First, the funding should go to organizations that do not discriminate based on religious beliefs or affiliation. Second, the group must not link the distribution of the social benefits to attendance at a church or conversion to the faith. If these guidelines are followed, then the funding of faith-based initiatives should be fine. Dear Mr. Free-Speech LegislatorLet me begin by stating that free speech is guaranteed under the First Amendment, and should not be abridged except in the most serious of circumstances.

This case, as you can see hardly rises to this level; indeed, the pamphlets are merely descriptive and carry no political or ideological message which might be construed as an incitement to violence or the causing of a panic. That something may be offensive is hardly a justification for abridging speech. Without more, these pamphlets, however distasteful to some, ought not to be censored. It must be noted at the outset that defamation, the publication of a fact that is false and harms a person's reputation, is not accorded First Amendment protection in many situations.

The problem here is that the alleged offender, a municipal officer, is a public figure; this means that the reporter will be able to claim First Amendment protection unless it can be demonstrated that the reporter acted with a "reckless disregard for the truth." The facts demonstrate that the reporter relied upon the woman's direct statements, but that the municipal officer was clearly not even in the state. A simple telephone call would have resolved this problem and prevented the damage. In sum, the reporter should not be able to hide behind the First Amendment because the failure to check the original statements is reckless disregard.

The report was false and it damaged the municipal officer's reputation and character.