Legal experts to look at the limits of First Amendment protection at UF Law

For more information:
Matt Walker, UF Law Communications
352-273-0650, mlwalker@law.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Should false statements of fact be protected under the First Amendment? That was the question at issue in United States v. Alvarez, a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court case overturning the Stolen Valor Act, which attempted to criminalize individuals for lying about receiving a military medal. More recently, however, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a new version of the Stolen Valor Act, creating penalties for individuals who lie about receiving military medals and profit from their deception.

The UF Journal of Law and Public Policy will examine this topic more closely at its annual Media Law Symposium on Thursday, March 14, in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center at the UF Levin College of Law. The event will include a reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by a panel discussion at noon. The discussion, which will include a question and answer period, will conclude at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to students, professors, practitioners and the public.

Panelists include UF Law Professor Lyrissa Lidsky; First Amendment and media law attorney Craig D. Feiser, attorney Kristen Rasmussen, who authored the amicus brief presented to the U.S. Supreme Court for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; and Col. Michael L. Smidt, staff judge advocate of U.S. Special Operations Command.

This symposium is sponsored by the Florida Free Speech Forum and the American Bar Association Law Student Division at UF Law.

CLE credit will be offered for this event.

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