{"id":17487,"date":"2014-01-03T11:58:55","date_gmt":"2014-01-03T16:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sidebarforplaintiffs.naomifein.net\/?p=17487"},"modified":"2014-01-03T11:58:55","modified_gmt":"2014-01-03T16:58:55","slug":"will-blythe-wont-sign-non-disparagement-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sidebarforplaintiffs.naomifein.net\/?p=17487","title":{"rendered":"Will Blythe won’t sign non-disparagement agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve written here about settlement agreements and non-disparagement clauses.<\/a><\/p>\n

In today’s New York Times, a long-time writer and editor, Will Blythe, writes about his reaction when asked to sign a non-disparagement agreement<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Succinctly and powerfully, he describes any writer’s natural repulsion at being asked to sign such a thing:<\/p>\n

So if nondisparagement agreements are downright ordinary and at the same time difficult to enforce, why not sign and take the severance?<\/em><\/p>\n

Because as quaint as this may seem, giving up the right to speak and write freely, even if that means speaking or writing negatively, strikes me as the unholiest of deals for a writer and an editor to accept. Though such clauses don\u2019t technically violate the First Amendment \u2014 I\u2019d be explicitly agreeing to forfeit my right to speak freely if I signed clause No. 12 \u2014 such a contract has a paralyzing effect on the dissemination of the truth, with all of truth\u2019s caustically cleansing powers. To disparage is but one tool in a writer\u2019s kit, but it\u2019s an essential one. That a company would offer money for my silence, which is what this boils down to \u2014 well, I\u2019ve seen many a mob movie about exactly that exchange.<\/em><\/p>\n

…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em>It\u2019s not that I necessarily want to disparage, but I want the freedom to do so, to be able to criticize, to attack, to carp, to excoriate, if need be. I want to tell the truth, even if it isn\u2019t pretty. <\/em><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I won\u2019t sign clause No. 12. Byliner can keep the money. I\u2019ll keep my self-respect. <\/em><\/p>\n

A terrific statement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’ve written here about settlement agreements and non-disparagement clauses. In today’s New York Times, a long-time writer and editor, Will Blythe, writes about his reaction when asked to sign a non-disparagement agreement: Succinctly and powerfully, he describes any writer’s natural … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[337],"tags":[161,598,518],"class_list":["post-17487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal-news","tag-civil-rights-lawsuits","tag-non-disparagement-agree","tag-settlements"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t