First, the Missouri State Senate voted through Bill 54 that would make it illegal for students and teachers to have non-public contact through Facebook. Then, the Missouri State Teachers Association sued in an attempt to block the law, citing the potential for infringment on free speech. Now, the Missouri Judge providing over the case has agreed with the teachers stating that the law could have drastic implications when it comes to free speech.
This isn’t any sort of ending though. Instead, it’s more of an intermission. The law hasn’t be ruled unconstitutional, but rather, potentially unconstitutional the whole shebang has been put on hold until the Missouri General Assembly reconvenes in Februrary. Until then, private Facebook interaction, private and public, remains legal, but who knows what kind lines of reasoning and “evidence” for both sides could arise between now and then. Expect to hear more come February.
(via Ars Technica)
