A Fishy First Amendment Case: Lobster Libel or Free Speech?
The federal appeals court's recent skepticism towards a defamation lawsuit brought by New England lobster fishermen against the Monterey Bay Aquarium has sent shockwaves through the fishing industry.
On its surface, this seems like a straightforward case of business interests clashing with environmental advocacy – but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find complex free speech concerns that raise fundamental questions about libel law.