The Government Accountability Project said in a May 30 statement on the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Garcetti v. Ceballos: Today, the Supreme Court severely limited the rights of government employee whistleblowers to protect the public interest. Through its ruling in Garcetti v. Ceballos, the Court holds that government employees’ job-related speech is not protected by the first amendment, a significant departure from prior law. Public employee truth-tellers are essential to the safety and welfare of our country. Tom Devine, GAP Legal Director, commented “This decision is outrageous. Canceling the doctrine of ‘duty speech’ means that government employees only have an on-the-job right to be ‘yes people,’ parroting false information and enabling illegality.”
Full text of the GAP news release:
Government Accountability Project
National Office
1612 K Street, NW Suite #1100 Washington, D.C. 20006
202.408.0034 http://wordpress-350926-1087337.cloudwaysapps.com
May 30, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dylan Blaylock, Communications Director
Phone: 202.408.0034 ext. 137, cell 202.236.3733
Email: [redacted]
Supreme Court Rules against Government Whistleblowers
Garcetti v. Ceballos Ruling Undermines Public Employees First Amendment Rights
Washington, DC—Today, the Supreme Court severely limited the rights of government employee whistleblowers to protect the public interest. Through its ruling in Garcetti v. Ceballos, the Court holds that government employees’ job-related speech is not protected by the first amendment, a significant departure from prior law.