A federal district judge in Akron has dismissed a constitutional challenge to an Ohio law against internet harassment brought by a group of progressive and conservative online political commentators.
Judge Sara Lioi ruled a progressive blog, a county Tea Party organization and a freelance political reporter who brought the suit faced no credible threat of prosecution and therefore lacked the standing to sue. Plaintiffs are weighing an appeal. At issue is a 2016 state law that prohibits knowingly posting text, audio statements or images on a website "for the purpose of abusing ... or harassing another person." The commentators had argued their frequent use of "invective, ridicule and strong language" against politicians could have subjected them to penalties under the law.
