The U.S. Supreme Court has made a significant decision by refusing to hear an appeal from a pro-life group that was found guilty of illegally recording Planned Parenthood employees. This follows a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld most of the damages awarded to Planned Parenthood in their lawsuit against the Center for Medical Progress and its founder, David Daleiden.
In 2015, the pro-life organization made headlines when it released secretly recorded conversations with Planned Parenthood doctors and staff. The footage exposed executives engaging in controversial discussions about the pricing of aborted fetal body parts, leading to investigations into the abortion provider’s practices at both the congressional and state levels.
The Center for Medical Progress used deceptive tactics, including creating a fake company and identities, to obtain and publish the footage. Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in 2016, accusing the organization of fraud, trespassing, breach of contract, and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Three years later, a jury ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, finding the pro-life group guilty of violating the Federal Wiretap Act. Although the appeals court later overturned this part of the verdict, it only accounted for a small portion of the damages initially awarded. The Center for Medical Progress argued that their actions were protected under the First Amendment, but the appeals court unanimously rejected this defense.
In their appeal to the Supreme Court, the pro-life group argued that Planned Parenthood should have to meet the court’s strict limitations on damages for public figures in relation to published speech, even though they did not sue for defamation.
To support their investigative methods, the Center for Medical Progress pointed to a similar undercover investigation conducted by ABC News’s “20/20.” They highlighted the illegal and unethical practices discovered during the investigation and noted that Planned Parenthood had praised the report at the time.
A woman waits in her car in front of a Planned Parenthood facility in Anaheim, Calif., on September 10, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
The Center for Medical Progress argued that their investigation followed the same methods as ABC’s and accused Planned Parenthood of labeling their losses as ”infiltration” and “security damages” to avoid a defamation case.
With conflicting rulings from different circuit courts on the application of First Amendment protection in such cases, the Center for Medical Progress urged the Supreme Court to settle the matter definitively.
Planned Parenthood has consistently denied allegations of selling aborted baby body parts for profit and claimed that the Center for Medical Progress’s videos were deceptively edited as part of a smear campaign.
The Supreme Court’s rejection of the case marks the beginning of its 2024 term, during which it will hear several important cases on topics such as second amendment rights, social media regulation, federal agency power, redistricting disputes, and abortion pill availability.
Reuters contributed to this report.
How does the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal in the Center for Medical Progress case impact the balance between freedom of speech and privacy rights?
Supreme Court, the Center for Medical Progress and its founder, David Daleiden, argued that the footage they recorded was a form of investigative journalism protected by the First Amendment. They also claimed that Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit was an attempt to suppress the organization’s freedom of speech and expose their alleged illegal activities.
However, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal means that the previous ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stands. This decision has significant implications for both pro-life and pro-choice advocates, as it establishes legal precedence regarding the privacy rights of individuals and organizations involved in controversial issues like abortion.
The case raises important questions about the balance between the right to freedom of speech and the protection of privacy. While the First Amendment guarantees the freedom of the press and the right to engage in investigative journalism, it does not provide unlimited protection for all forms of expression.
In this case, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal suggests that they believe the Center for Medical Progress crossed the line by using illegal methods to obtain their footage. The Court’s decision reinforces the notion that individuals and organizations that engage in undercover tactics must do so within the boundaries of the law.
Moreover, by refusing to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court is sending a message that illegal recording and deceptive practices cannot be justified under the guise of exposing alleged wrongdoing. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the privacy rights of individuals, even in the context of contentious issues.
The repercussions of this decision extend beyond the specific case at hand. It sets a precedent that may impact future cases involving undercover journalism and the limits of the First Amendment. It also underscores the need for individuals and organizations engaged in investigative journalism to navigate legal boundaries carefully.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal in this case represents a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding abortion rights in the United States. By upholding the lower court’s decision, the Court is sending a signal that protecting privacy rights and preventing illegal activities takes precedence over the freedom of speech, even in cases involving high-profile and controversial issues.
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