Public broadcaster cannot exclude qualified candidates from debate

Article Abstract:

The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in Forbes v. Arkansas Educational Television Commission that public television stations could not deny legal candidates access to debates that they air. The network argued that it was exercising journalistic discretion in not inviting Ralph Forbes to participate in a Congressional race debate. The Court found that the debate was a limited public forum and that candidates could not be denied the opportunity to participate, regardless of their chances of winning.

Cases, Public television, Third parties (United States politics), Campaign debates, Equal time rule (Broadcasting)

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Shopping mall built with government bonds not a public forum

Article Abstract:

The Minnesota Supreme Court, in State v. Wicklund, held that a shopping mall where ten "anti-fur" protesters were arrested for trespassing was not a "public forum" protected by the First Amendment or state law. The court said that the mall did not lose its private classification merely because the public was invited to use it for designated purposes. State involvement in the mall's financing did not constitute "state action," which would have triggered First Amendment protection for the protesters.

United States, Minnesota, Interpretation and construction, Constitutional law, Constitutional interpretation, Shopping centers

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