California Bills Threaten Press Freedom
By Editor
Two bills are before the Legislature of California which ought to receive the reprobation of a free press and of free men; namely, Assembly Bill No. 23, repealing the provision that any person bringing action for libel shall put up a bond for $500, as a protection to the press. With that repealed it is possible for persons having grudges against newspapers to annoy them and bring suit under the flimsiest pretext. Of course, this would be a constant matter of expense to the paper in defending the suit. Assembly Bill No. 18 makes libel a felony. These bills are a direct blow to the freedom of the press.