DC court decision on CEI v. Michael Mann "not only threatens the exercise of free speech, it also threatens scientific dissent" - Climate Litigation Watch

DC court decision on CEI v. Michael Mann “not only threatens the exercise of free speech, it also threatens scientific dissent”

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) today petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal of CEI v. Michael Mann. At issue is criticism of Mann’s climate hockey stick that appeared on CEI’s blog in 2012. The petition argues that a 2018 ruling by the D.C. Court of Appeals, allowing Mann’s lawsuit to go forward, conflicts with rulings by both the Supreme Court and by federal circuit courts on the First Amendment’s protection of commentary on controversial issues. National Review, the defendant in a companion case, is also petitioning the Supreme Court.

“The D.C. Court of Appeals’ decision in CEI v. Michael Mann not only threatens the exercise of free speech, it also threatens scientific dissent and the possibility of robust political debate on matters of major importance,” said CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman. “We hope the Supreme Court will hear this case and reaffirm the fundamental First Amendment protection of free speech.”

Full story here.