Thursday, January 25, 2007

What's the Matter with a Free Press in Kansas?

The Student Press Law Center reports that the Lawrence Journal-World may be trying to reach an agreement with the Daily Kansan in order to prevent it from competing off-campus.

Not only is it unconstitutional to limit the distribution off-campus of a student newspaper, it’s also illegal. If these two newspapers make a deal to limit distribution, both sides will be guilty of violating state laws that ban restraint of trade: “To make or enter into, or execute or carry out, any contract, obligation or agreement of any kind or description by which such person shall: (a) Bind or have to bind themselves not to sell, manufacture, dispose of or transport any article or commodity, or article of trade, use, merchandise, commerce or consumption below a common standard figure.” (http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatute.do?number=20605)

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