Phil Robertson was suspended by A&E for bigoted comments in GQ. Conservatives cry foul, but it hardly violates his rightsThe right to free speech isn't just a fundamental American value; it's enshrined in the first amendment to our constitution. If only the most loud-mouthed among us actually understood what it says. Here's what the First Amendment offers: you can say, write or publish pretty much whatever you want, no matter how offensive (with a few exceptions), and the government can't step in and censor you or put you in jail. Here's what the first amendment doesn't do: allow you to say, write or publish whatever you want, no matter how offensive, and also entitle you to a giant pay check from your starring role on a cable reality TV show.This isn't exactly Harvard-level legal theory, but many Republicans, Christian organizations and garden-variety tweeters enjoy spouting off about their love of freedom and the Constitution while remaining disturbingly unaware of what the Bill of Rights actually says and means. The right-wing passion for a set of ideals they claim to revere – but remain ignorant of – is not new, but it's news again this week. They're up in arms at the suspension of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson for a series of homophobic and bigoted remarks he made to GQ magazine. Professional consequences for bigoted comments, they say, violate the constitutional right to free speech.Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal said: Phil Robertson and his family are great... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2013-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
Jonathan Franzen’s Purity is to be made into a television show starring Daniel Craig. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IPA Freedom to Publish committee chose writer due to his ‘disgraceful ongoing punishment and the extreme risk he ran to express his ideas’Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for publishing a liberal blog, is to be awarded the International... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2016-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Channel 4 has commissioned a TV series based on Joe Wicks’ bestselling cookery and fitness title Lean in 15 (Bluebird). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sony's first PlayStation TV show landed with a bit of a thud. Based on the comic book series by Brian Michael Bendis, Powers struggled to stand out against its superhero peers, especially those on rival streaming networks. The show does have a follow... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2016-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rachael Jolley, editor of global freedom of expression magazine, Index on Censorship, has spoken out about the growing importance of public libraries for freedom of expression saying "at the heart of any library is the idea of a freedom to think and discover”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House has announced a world rights deal for the autobiography of TV presenter Rylan Clark. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fans of Cassandra Clare will be able to watch the TV adaptation of her bestselling series The Mortal Instruments (Walker Books) next month, as Netflix has announced a global release date, excluding the US, of 13th January. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SERIES The Twilight Zone An annual tradition continues as KTLA presents an 18-episode marathon of Rod Serling's classic 1960s-era sci-fi anthology series. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. KTLA 2 Broke Girls Ryan Hansen guest stars as Caroline's (Beth Behrs) ex-boyfriend. 9:30 p.m. CBS Elementary "Law &... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-11-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The celebrity pastor defends against what critics have branded 'cool Christianity' while discussing his reality series, church, and new book 'Sandcastle Kings.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This most fundamental of principles is under attack – from over-zealous law making, online witch hunts, and a profit-driven media offensive on the BBCIn our troubled and insecure environment, Britain has accumulated laws which curtail freedom of expression – in the name of national security and... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Muppets is just one of several freshman shows with a pre-sold brand the networks hope give them an edge this fall. The prime-time schedule includes two movie adaptations (Fox's Minority Report, CBS' Limitless), a spinoff (NBC's Chicago Med), a revival (NBC's Heroes Reborn) and a comic book... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2015-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Novelist Robert Harris has said that developing dedicated TV books programming is one of the ways in which the BBC can fight back against funding cuts. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Dancing Through Life' chronicles Candace Cameron Bure's experience on 'Dancing with the Stars' while the actress explores her Christian faith. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seth Meyers on Late Night, a US TV talk show, has embraced interviewing novelists and the result is often a boost in book sales following broadcast. The post A TV Talk Show Appearance That Can Change an Author’s Future appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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During a recent talk show chat, "Game of Thrones" actress Maisie Williams revealed she had listened to fans' online opinions when crafting her scrappy Arya Stark character, originally written as a left-handed swordswoman in George R.R. Martin's book series. "The fans are so die-hard; they're... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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St. Martin's has signed signed up Dinki for a cookbook called 'Meat on the Side,' which offers recipes that put “meat in the passenger seat.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hulu picked up Seinfeld, and now Netflix is working on a new show with Ellen DeGeneres -- but it's not a mid-90s sitcom at all. The two will create a 13-episode series based on the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham that's due to arrive in 2018, aimed... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BitTorrent today announced a partnership with Rapid Eye Studios to launch BitTorrent Originals. Together, the pair will create original video content and distribute it exclusively on BitTorrent Bundle, the company’s publishing platform. The post BitTorrent Will Soon Produce Its Own TV Shows... Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2015-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Illustrators such as Chris Riddell [pictured], Axel Scheffler and Peter Sís have contributed to a book defending freedom of speech after the terror attack on Charlie Hebdo in France. The book will be published on the 12th February by German children’s publisher Aladin and is entitled... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lawyers for free speech groups have argued that a ban placed on a performing artist preventing him from publishing his memoir is an “unpredictable threat to freedom of expression”. The artist’s ex-wife was granted a temporary injunction after saying that the contents of the memoir would be... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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