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June 1, 1931court decisionFirst Amendmentpress freedomprior restraintCivil RightsJusticeGovernment

Supreme Court rejects Minnesota newspaper gag law

Near v. Minnesota became a foundational press-freedom case after local officials used a state law to stop a newspaper from publishing. The Court held that prior restraints on publication are generally unconstitutional, making this one of the clearest records of the First Amendment limiting official control over the press.