Censorship in Ohio: political speech has its day in court.

• Author: Root, Damon
• Position: Citings - Brief article

Under Ohio law, it is a misdemeanor offense to make "false statements" about political candidates. Who gets to decide what counts as false? A state agency staffed by political appointees endowed with the power to selectively silence political speech.

In 2010, the conservative anti-abortion activists at Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List), were hauled before state officials on charges of violating that law. The group wanted to run billboard ads charging Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) with supporting "tax-payer funded abortion" by voting in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The state told them they couldn't.

SBA List filed suit in federal court, charging the Ohio law with violating its First Amendment rights. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6 th Circuit ruled in favor of the state...