Posted on 10/12/2007 10:35:41 AM PDT by NewMediaJournal
Even though all the Founding Fathers pretended that they hated the media (which then meant newspapers and tract publishing) each of them had their very own newspaper supporters and nearly all paid for tracts that supported their viewpoints and policies to be published. These tracts and newspapers were usually subscription supported, but sometimes they were freely distributed.
Flash forward to today in Chicago. Today, thanks to a law ushered in the back door right under everyone's noses, it is illegal to distribute free newspapers. Were the Founders alive today, Richard Daley, King of Chicago, would prevent them from distributing their political papers to the public. No speech in King Daley's city...not without HIS say-so, anyway.
Of course, like all busy body, cradle to the grave governments, the ordinance in question was ostensibly to do something "good" for us all. You see, Title 10, Chapter 8 of the Municipal Code was supposed to "help" us get rid of litter in this fair windy city.
But, tacked onto the law is a little section that bans the distribution of free publications. This ordinance made it unlawful to distribute free “newspapers, periodicals and directories of any kind on any public way or other public place or on the premise of private property in the city in such a manner that it is reasonably foreseeable that such distribution will cause litter.”
Who needs free speech when we can get rid of "litter," eh?
(Excerpt) Read more at newmediajournal.us ...
It is used by the buggy whip media to inflate their circulation figures and dishonestly boost their ad rates.
Will that take down the Reader too?
Sell your papers for a penny and give unlimited credit with repayment to be done purely on the honor system.
Why don't they do something productive, and sue the living crap out of the people emailing spam all around?
Free circulation papers are the only ones showing growth in revenue or ad sales.
That won’t solve the problem which is free newspapers blowing out of their “free” bins and all over the streets.
This could have easily been fixed by forcing free newspapers to make bins that secure the papers and that allow only one to be taken at a time.
I understand the need for something like this it seems although that there may have been other reasons as well why this is good for the ruling elite.
For what it’s worth, most free newspapers are to the left of Stalin.
the whole things seems unlawful - but that is really crossing the line.
I once published a small tab - supported solely with advertising. I would never have the wherewithal to do otherwise.
We have many 'free' papers in our state - and they get out some valuable stories.
This is nothing other than another blow against free enterprise. I would think it could be struck down.
first guns and now the press
Old slogan: Chicago, the windy city.
New slogan: Chicago, where freedom died.
So will political campaign flyers fall under that as well?
The Tribune Company has been trying to get this law for years. It goes back to the 1970’s when free suburban weeklies started springing up and taking some of the Tribune’s ad revenue.
I would guess this ordinance violates the Constitution but somebody will have to take it through the courts to test it. Somebody with deep pockets.
Remember Meigs Field...........
This seems likely to be found unconstitutional, but on the up side, this will also stop the big liberal papers, (Chicago Tribune?) from handing out or delivering free papers as well.
Almost certainly unconstitutional; it probably as written also applies to voter guides; TV guides; summer recreation directories; community college class schedules, etc.
This is unbelievable. The best local news in my town come from a free paper.
bump
But how in the world does that law not restrict ‘freedom of the press’? Hello? Someone didn’t read their constitution - I know there would be massive protests on my college’s campus if anyone tried to ban free papers in my city.
Well thankfully “Streetwise” can still be peddled........... /sarc off.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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