Clarksdale, Mississippi, officials backtracked on a lawsuit against The Clarksdale Press Register after widespread condemnation regarding their attempt to remove an editorial critical of the city. The editorial raised questions about the transparency of city commissioners advancing a two-percent tax resolution without public disclosure. Critics, including press freedom advocates, argued that the city's actions constituted a serious violation of First Amendment protections, stirring national concern about press freedoms and accountability in local government.
It's hard to imagine a more unconstitutional order than one compelling a newspaper to take down an editorial critical of the government, said Seth Sterns, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
The city's actions this month awakened the entire First Amendment community nationally, the paper's owner said.
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