Scott A. Leadingham

Who Is a 'Journalist?' An Evolving Definition The First Amendment protects freedom of the press but doesn’t specify who exactly "the press" is. What makes a journalist a journalist?

SNL parodied the fact that former Rep. Matt Gaetz is credentialed to cover the Pentagon. So, is he a "journalist" now? And for that matter, who gets to decide? Does the First Amendment protection for "the press" cover him or only certain people? MORE #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/who-is-a-jou...

Do First Amendment Freedoms Apply in the Workplace? Workers may lose some First Amendment rights in the workplace, but it depends on whether they work for the government or a private employer.

Interesting. Will watch what happens in Mead. Somewhat relevant re 1A rights of public school employees: www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

Dave Boling: Why Luke Falk could be uniquely qualified candidate in WSU's coaching search Luke Falk came to Pullman as a walk-on quarterback. Now he wants to come back as a walk-on head coach.

Former WSU quarterback Luke Falk, one of the team's best QBs thanks to Mike Leach, is making his case to be their next head coach. And he makes a good argument: He actually wants the job for more than a year and likes Pullman. Low bar, but...
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

Are Non-Citizens Protected by the First Amendment? Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? The answer isn't as clear-cut as you may think. Here's everything to know.

Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? A question asked a lot, and a @1stforall.bsky.social article that keeps getting shared (and updated) the past year+. So, here we go again. #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

That's a bummer, Leah. Hush was an extremely well done and essential podcast, and all who produced it deserve high praise. Hope it continues in some form. Thank you for it and all the work you do.

How the 'Reindeer Rule' Keeps Christ in Christmas Displays Can local governments display Christmas trees and nativity scenes? Yes — if they follow the Reindeer Rule.

Now that we're in December, we can officially talk about Christmas decorations. So...under the First Amendment, how can publicly-funded displays use Christ + Nativity scenes if they're not supposed to favor a religion?
Learn about "The Reindeer Rule" #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/reindeer-rule

Do First Amendment Freedoms Apply in the Workplace? Workers may lose some First Amendment rights in the workplace, but it depends on whether they work for the government or a private employer.

How does the First Amendment clock in when you're on the clock? If 1A is all about the government, what does your free speech look like when your employer is the government? What about getting fired for posting on social? A #1A guide ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

OPB: Hush Hush

Some folks like pump-up jams on their long runs. I've been jamming to Hush S2 and loving it (I mean, discussions of Truman Capote, forensics AND journalism ethics?!?!). Kudos to @leahsottile.bsky.social + @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and all OPB crew for an outstanding series.
www.opb.org/show/hush/

Black Hole Award The Society of Professional Journalists launched the Black Hole Award to highlight the most heinous violations of the public's right to know.

City council making a pretty strong case to get nominated for the "coveted" SPJ Black Hole Award. (Seriously.)
www.spj.org/black-hole-a...

Speech Beyond the Spoken Word: Symbolic Speech Explained The First Amendment protects speech — but what about symbolic speech like gestures, clothing and other forms of expression?

Speech is often thought of as, well, spoken. But it's more, and sometimes more powerful when silent or symbolic. Raising a middle finger, raising a flag or burning one in protest - all are forms of speech. And all are protected by the First Amendment. #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/symbolic-spe...

The only "bad" part of the Mariners locking in Josh Naylor (WOO HOO!) is we in the peanut gallery have become accustomed to complaining about front office not spending on free agents in off season, and if there's one thing we love in the Northwest, it's the comforting routine of winter doldrums.

What all folks (not just Mariners fans) know: Cal Raleigh gets MVP one billion percent if the award had any kind of popular fan component. Lots about baseball to love. Its insistence on pegging awards to opinions of primarily good ol' boy "writers" is not one. #tridentsup #goms

A good reminder why I'm cautious about applying the PNW label. Spokane is solidly Inland NW (or, uh, "Empire" if you're of a certain age), and we'd do well to lean into that more.

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight Felony Murder: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Kudos to John Oliver for referencing Rachel Dolezal and giving credit (as so many do not) that this is a Spokane story. Sure, it's an unfortunate and at this point tired pop culture blemish for Our Fair City, but at least he pronounces it correctly!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y93l...

Who Is a 'Journalist?' An Evolving Definition The First Amendment protects freedom of the press but doesn’t specify who exactly "the press" is. What makes a journalist a journalist?

The First Amendment right of the press is for everyone who publishes or shares their work - including podcasters + independent newsletter folks. But are they all journalists? What, exactly, makes a journalist in this day and age? Some points to consider #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/who-is-a-jou...

I wonder how much of this can be attributed to that specific district (and its socio-economic demographics). It wasn't long ago that D1 had both the most progressive and conservative members of council representing it. And if Dixit wins, that could be the case again.

I get the urge of news to say what president appointed a federal judge in stories, but for consistency they should name all 77 million+ people and/or electoral college voters on first reference for presidents

Reminds of the old "all politics is local" line (which is no longer true) in the inverse: With no local media, all news is national.

15 of the Most Famous 'Banned' Books in US History From books challenged by the government to books pulled from library shelves, we explore some of the most famous "banned" books in U.S. history.

Book banning is a 2-way First Amendment issue: People have a free speech right to write + read. And people have a right to petition school + library boards to remove books. Strange 1A bedfellows. Anyway, here's more on banned books + First Amendment #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/famous-banne...

Free Speech at the Polls: Know Your Election Day Rights Before heading out to your polling place on Election Day, know the protections and limits around free speech at the polls.

Does the First Amendment protect ballot selfies? What about wearing campaign buttons while voting?

There are limits to how you can express yourself at the polls. Here's what you can and can't say and do while voting on Election Day. #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/free-speech-...

What Is Separation of Church and State? What is separation of church and state and where does this concept appear in the Constitution? Here's everything you should know.

If you caught Brandi Carlile on SNL this weekend, you heard her "Church & State" song with a reference to Thomas Jefferson. So here's much more on the legal concept of "separation of church and state" and what it means with the First Amendment #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/separation-o...

Spooky Speech: Are Halloween Decorations and Costumes Protected by the First Amendment? Halloween costumes and decorations in your front yard are typically protected by the First Amendment, although there are some exceptions.

Spooky season is well underway, and here's a frightening thought: Your yard decorations or costume may or may not be protected by the First Amendment depending on [GASP] the "context"! [*maniacal laugh*]
MORE ⬇️ #1A
www.freedomforum.org/halloween-de...

Are Non-Citizens Protected by the First Amendment? Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? The answer isn't as clear-cut as you may think. Here's everything to know.

A question being asked a lot these days: Are non-citizens in the US protected by the First Amendment? Does legal status matter? The answer is...not entirely clear in all cases. Background #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

From Comedic to Controversial: 11 of the Most Famous Political Cartoons in US History We highlight 11 famous political cartoons from throughout history and discuss why they’re protected by the First Amendment.

Wrote about "famous" political cartoons + First Amendment / press freedom. I'll give you 11 guesses which one of these Pete Hegseth has tattooed on his arm. (Kidding. Of course it's The Bechdel Test from "Dykes to Watch Out For"!) #1A ⬇️
www.freedomforum.org/famous-polit...

1A in Action: Ron Sachs and His Historic Fight for Press Freedom on College Campuses As part of our 1A in Action series, we highlight Ron Sachs, who challenged a Florida state law in his fight for student press freedom.

50+ years ago, University of Florida told the student newspaper it couldn't print something. Editor arrested. Abortion law struck down. It resonates now. Today, the Independent Florida Alligator is still in print. That's the First Amendment legacy of Ron Sachs.
www.freedomforum.org/1a-in-action...

Bummer ending but happy for this Mariners team, fans + all who supported. Got to see fantastic games in person this year (home + road). Looking forward to same next year. Blue Jays are a great team (and fan base). They deserve all our support in WS! #TridentsUp #seizethemoment #sodomojo #goms

An original press pass for NPR "founding mother" Susan Stamberg, laminated and on display in an Washington, D.C., office for Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to the First Amendment.

RIP Susan Stamberg, one of @npr.org's founding mothers and a true journalism legend.

Neat thing of working for @1stforall.bsky.social is artifacts from the former Newseum (also RIP) in the office. Here is Stamberg's original NPR press badge.

Northwest Public Broadcasting halts KWSU-TV operations A public television station founded 63 years ago on the campus of Washington State University will go dark at the end of the year.

A big bummer but not a surprise. My old stomping grounds at Northwest Public Broadcasting cutting its TV service in Palouse region (KWSU) due to budget (radio and other TV service unaffected), an outcome of CPB funding cut.
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

Gosh, the modern version of local newspaper wars is some wild stuff! I miss the good ol' days of inventing wars to sell copies!

Montana launches re-entry program for former inmates HELENA, Mont. — Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday announced a new state program to help formerly incarcerated Montanans with behavioral health needs as they return to their communities.

It does seem curious - nay, superhuman - to have that kind of output. This byline suggests the person is a real KHQ "Nonstop Local News Producer"
I think a call to KHQ to find out if this person exists would make for some informative RANGE, uh...content! 😀
www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/news/state/m...