Supreme Court rules in Bridges v. California that the First Amendment protects public commentary on pending court cases

The Supreme Court decided Bridges v. California, 314 U.S. 252, on December 8, 1941, reversing contempt convictions against labor leader Harry Bridges and the Los Angeles Times for publishing criticism of pending judicial proceedings. Justice Hugo Black, writing for the 5-4 majority, held that restrictions on speech about public judicial matters require proof of a "clear and present danger" of substantive evil, rejecting California courts' weaker "inherent tendency" standard. The ruling directly benefited Bridges, who had been held in contempt for sending a telegram to the Labor Secretary threatening a dock strike if an unfavorable ruling was enforced. The decision established a durable First Amendment floor against using court contempt power to silence criticism of government institutions.