Federal News Network’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eVJKKRs3 Check out this compelling article about the recent House vote on Rep. George Santos, where the delicate balance between accountability and due process comes to the forefront. #GeorgeSantos #HouseEthicsDebate

Trump's threats to use the military and federal law enforcement for personal vendettas significantly deviate from democratic norms. A potential second Trump presidency, driven by revenge and the weaponization of the federal government against political opponents, poses a grave threat to democracy. Under such leadership, the United States risks veering towards authoritarianism. As Donald Trump campaigns for a potential second term, his promises to weaponize the federal government for personal retribution against political enemies raise alarms about the future of American democracy. Trump's threats signal a concerning shift toward authoritarianism, akin to developments in Hungary, Turkey, and Russia, where leaders have eroded democratic institutions to consolidate power. Trump's threats to employ federal agencies such as the FBI and DOJ to target political adversaries, including President Biden, echo tactics observed in Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has manipulated the judiciary to silence dissent, and in Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has purged judges and prosecutors to consolidate authority. Similarly, in Russia, President Vladimir Putin exploits the legal system for politically motivated arrests and prosecutions. Expanding beyond Biden, Trump has hinted at retaliatory actions against various political figures and institutions, including Democratic leaders and former President Obama. This strategy mirrors patterns observed in Hungary, where Orbán employs legal and extralegal measures against opposition parties, and in Turkey, where Erdoğan incarcerates opposition figures under questionable charges. In Russia, Putin's regime fabricates charges against political adversaries, exemplified by the unjust persecution of figures like Alexei Navalny. https://lnkd.in/enEbjsgR

Check out this week’s news on campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and much more in the News You Can Use Digest. https://lnkd.in/g-NQ4FF4

The nine-page code has broad directives, like “justices should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary” and “refrain from political activity.” It also sets specific parameters around when justices should be disqualified from hearing a case and what kinds of outside speaking and fundraising engagements they can participate in. Here's a closer look at the policy.

Check out this article from USA TODAY: Biden to push for major Supreme Court reform as he seeks campaign momentum: report https://lnkd.in/gU3G6pwE This is complete BS! This is an attempt to void the Constitution…. Who is the real threat to this nation?

The News You Can Use Digest is here with this week’s most important stories on campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and more. https://lnkd.in/e3A_fZWs

Data Protection and Journalistic Exemption Data Protection Commission Ireland has published findings of an investigation concerning a complaint of breach of privacy by a politician against Irish journalists See 🔗 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/e9Rz583U 1️⃣ The DPC examined the legal basis for journalistic expression in terms of the Irish Constitution in Article 40.6.1°(i), which sets out that the ‘education of public opinion’ is ‘a matter of such grave import to the common good’ and that the press has a ‘rightful liberty of expression’, along with the text of 2️⃣ Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which highlights that the ‘exercise of the right to freedom of expression may be subject to formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society.’ 3️⃣ Section 43 of the 2018 Act (Data processing and freedom of expression and information) is the provision by which Irish law gives effect to the requirements of Article 85 GDPR. It provides:- ↘️The processing of personal data for the purpose of exercising the right to freedom of expression and information, including processing for journalistic purposes or for the purposes of academic, artistic or literary expression, shall be exempt from compliance with a provision of the Data Protection Regulation specified in subsection (2) where, having regard to the importance of the freedom of expression right in a democratic society, compliance with the provision would be incompatible with such purposes. *️⃣A two-part test is applicable to determine whether the exemption in Section 43 applies to processing of personal data: ▪️First, the processing in question must be for the purpose of exercising the right to freedom of expression and information, including processing for journalistic purposes or for the purposes of academic, artistic or literary expression. ▪️Second, compliance with the relevant provisions of the GDPR must be incompatible with those purposes, having regard to the importance of the freedom of expression right in a democratic society. 👁️🗨️Having regard to the totality of the evidence before it, the DPC found that the exemption under section 43(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018 applies to the reporting by MIG about which complaint was made by the Complainant, and the DPC therefore dismissed the Complaint under section 112(1)(b) of the Data Protection Act 2018. ⬇️See more here ⬇️

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2024 AAPC Denounces Claimed AI-Generated Robocall Incident McLean, VA - In light of the recent revelation involving a political operative's commissioning of an allegedly deceptive AI-generated robocall impersonating President Joe Biden, we feel compelled to express our profound concern and condemnation if these facts are verified. This alleged act, leveraging artificial intelligence to fabricate a misleading communication for political gain, stands in stark opposition to the principles of honesty and integrity that are fundamental to our democratic process. The claims involved in this incident blatantly contravene the dedication to integrity that the AAPC upholds, posing a significant threat to the trust inherent in our democratic electoral processes. In a solid stance against such deceptive practices, the AAPC aligns with the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) recent declaratory ruling against robocalls made with synthetic AI-generated voices. This alignment underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting ethical conduct within political consulting and campaigning. The AAPC and FCC's shared perspective highlights the critical importance of maintaining honesty and transparency in political communication, ensuring the electoral process remains untainted by the misleading use of technology. We call upon all members of the political consulting community to rigorously adhere to the AAPC's Professional Code of Ethics and stance against the use of deceptive AI in political campaigns, reinforcing our collective responsibility to foster a political environment characterized by truthfulness and respect for the electorate.

Now this is some news... Measuring the value of a public figures words and actions is not always easy. Many in my circle will probably say this is too little, too late. I put a different frame around these sorts of things, though. As everything in our world is constantly and consistently moving, it is important to recognize any fundamental shift that occurs and in which direction the shift moves. The too little or too late assessments will never be factually known or proven; they are opinion only. I would rather take the opportunity to applaud this shift in the approach here, regardless of timing or scope. It is a move toward protecting this model of government that is actively being attacked by a wide swath of political actors, including those in the courts. Every step toward preserving AND IMPROVING UPON our existing system deserves to be noticed and recognized so that things don't continue to slip away from us while we aren't paying attention. https://wapo.st/4bGC9gI

How have the 3 main political parties pitched their #manifestos in respect of #medialaw?   With the 2024 UK general election now less than 2 weeks away, Head of our #MediaDisputes team, Callum Galbraith and Senior Associate, Sarah Daniel, examine how the parties have set out their intentions on #SLAPPs, #Leveson 2, #AI, #freedomofexpression and the #righttoprivacy. https://lnkd.in/gYepQGhq