Matthew Schafer – Medium

Matthew Schafer

Pinned

Published in

Lessons from History

New York Times v. Sullivan and the Forgotten Session of the US Supreme Court

A forgotten session of the US Supreme Court shows a Chief Justice at odds with conservative calls to overrule a landmark precedent.

Apr 21, 2022

New York Times v. Sullivan and the Forgotten Session of the US Supreme Court

Apr 21, 2022

False Dichotomies and the Original Understanding of Press Freedom

Late last year, I presented an American Bar Association webinar about the Supreme Court’s recent suggestion that, perhaps, we should look…

Mar 22

False Dichotomies and the Original Understanding of Press Freedom

Mar 22

Published in

Lessons from History

As Original As Apple Pie: The Reporter’s Privilege at America’s Founding

A new review of the historical record suggests that many at the Founding understood liberty of the press to protect printers from compelled…

May 11, 2024

As Original As Apple Pie: The Reporter’s Privilege at America’s Founding

May 11, 2024

The Books George Washington Saved from the British

As the British approached Philadelphia, patriots snuck books, containing an early copy of the Declaration of Independence, out of the city…

May 3, 2024

The Books George Washington Saved from the British

May 3, 2024

The Court Might Gut a Key First Amendment Doctrine. Few Even Noticed.

In a little-noticed exchange, multiple Justices considered doing away with a doctrine that makes it easier to invalidate unconstitutional…

Apr 20, 2024

The Court Might Gut a Key First Amendment Doctrine. Few Even Noticed.

Apr 20, 2024

Pornography, Texas, and the Origin Myth of the First Amendment

Contrary to popular belief, the Founders did not put the First Amendment first because it was the most important.

Mar 13, 2024

Mar 13, 2024

Truly, what are we doing here?

On Thursday, the Supreme Court live-streamed oral argument audio of the Trump/Colorado ballot case. Where’s the video?

Feb 10, 2024

Truly, what are we doing here?

Feb 10, 2024

Offensive Speech Is Still Free Speech (That’s a Good Thing)

My local newspaper told its readers a politician’s criticisms of Israel were unprotected hate speech. But it’s the freedom to express “bad”…

Nov 20, 2023

Nov 20, 2023

A Conservative Judge’s Ruling about Drag Shows Is a Battle Plan to Undo the First Amendment

What one federal judge’s war on queer college students tells us about the future of free speech. (Spoiler: it’s nothing good.)

Sep 23, 2023

A Conservative Judge’s Ruling about Drag Shows Is a Battle Plan to Undo the First Amendment

Sep 23, 2023

The Meaning of Freedom of the Press at the Founding

Courts and scholars have long debated the meaning of the Constitution’s Press Clause. One popular theory — that it only protects access to…

May 11, 2023

The Meaning of Freedom of the Press at the Founding

May 11, 2023

Matthew Schafer

Matthew Schafer

Media Lawyer. Adjunct Professor/Mass Media Law at Fordham University School of Law. Twitter @MatthewSchafer

Following

Help

Status

About

Careers

Press

Blog

Privacy

Rules

Terms

Text to speech