Clay Calvert Comments on Revoking College Admissions Over Social Media Posts and the Stalling of Changes to Libel Laws

Clay Calvert, director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, appeared on CNN’s “Smerconish” on July 18.

Calvert spoke to host Michael Smerconish about colleges and universities that are rescinding incoming student admissions due to racist social media posts. He comments on how the First Amendment does and does not apply and if such teenage mistakes will continue to haunt these students in the future.

Calvert is also quoted in “Trump’s Promise to ‘Open Up Our Libel Laws’ is Stalled” published in the Politifact “Trump-O-Meter” section on July 15.

The article focuses on President Trump’s 2016 promise to change libel laws to make it easier to sue the press if they write negative or false stories.

“With the exception of Justice Clarence Thomas, there seems to be little appetite on the court today to reconsider Sullivan or to eliminate the actual malice standard as it now applies to both public officials and public figures who sue for libel,” said Calvert. “The court also hasn’t taken up a case so far that would address that issue during its next term.”

Posted: July 20, 2020
Category: College News, Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project News