Speech/Expression

Federal court won't hear challenge to Neb. flag-desecration law. A federal judge has dismissed claims questioning the constitutionality of Nebraska’s flag-mutilation law but said she’ll consider arguments over a state law barring protests within 300 feet of funerals.(AP)

Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold is removed from the Anthony Sowell murder trial. Pfeifer made the ruling based on comments posted on cleveland.com about the Sowell case. The comments were posted through a username created with an AOL e-mail address used by Saffold. The judge has denied making the comments, and her 23-year-old daughter has said she posted them.(The Plain-Dealer)

Deciding What Is ‘Suitable’ in Movie Ads. Outside of show business, it’s a job that most people do not know even exists: evaluating and approving or disapproving all advertising for rated movies before it can be disseminated. Last year, Ms. Gordon and her six lieutenants evaluated more than 60,000 submissions — trailers, television spots, Internet ads, press kits, print ads, radio commercials, online games.(NYT)

City can't force owner to remove anti-gay sign. City Code Enforcement Supervisor Shelley LeClere said Trumbull owns the fence and painted the sign. Trumbull was asked to remove his message, but he declined. Beyond asking, LeClere said, there was nothing the city could do. Trumbull's message, whether appropriate or not, is protected speech.(Casper Star-Tribune)

'South Park' producers say network cut fear speech. The group said it wasn't threatening Parker and Stone, but it included a gruesome picture of Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch filmmaker killed by a Muslim extremist in 2004, and said the producers could meet the same fate. The website posted the addresses of Comedy Central's New York office and the California production studio where "South Park" is made.(AP)

Graham disinvited from prayer event over Islam comments. The Army rescinded its invitation to evangelist Franklin Graham for the upcoming National Day of Prayer at the Pentagon over controversial remarks he made about Islam.(CNN)

NY civil rights group sues over federal photo ban. Antonio Musumeci, the only plaintiff in the lawsuit, was arrested as he videotaped a political protest in a public plaza. Musumeci, a member of the Manhattan Libertarian Party and a software developer for an investment bank, lives in Edgewater, N.J.(AP)

Female Phila. officer files complaint over hair color. Norman was accused of violating Directive 78-D, which governs officers' hairstyles. It bans "unnatural colors" such as purple, blue, and green.(PI)

Op-ed: Stevens’ 10 worst First Amendment opinions. During his tenure, Justice John Paul Stevens has written many opinions protective of First Amendment freedoms. However, he also has penned some opinions — whether in majority or in dissent — that elevated other interests above free expression.(FAC)

Press

N.J. court rules blogger is not protected under shield law in porn company defamation case. A blogger sued for defamation because of her writings about a Freehold software company is not a journalist and is not covered by a law that protects them from revealing confidential sources, an appellate court ruled today.(Star-Ledger)

Obama administration to appeal ruling against prayer day. The Obama administration will appeal a court decision that found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, the Justice Department said yesterday.(AP)