I can’t say I am not surprised that the American media would defend such a hate filled group as the Westboro Baptist Church:

Twenty-two media organizations have sided with a radical church against the father of a fallen Marine who is trying to sue it for picketing his son’s funeral.

The media organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief on Wednesday with the Supreme Court in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church, which protests near servicemembers’ funerals because it believes that troops’ deaths and other national tragedies are divine revenge for America’s tolerance of gays and lesbians.

The father of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who died in Iraq in 2006, sued the church for picketing near his son’s funeral with signs that said “God hates you,” “You’re in hell” and “Semper Fi fags.” They also distributed a flier with Snyder’s picture on it that read “Burial of an Ass.”

Snyder’s father, Al, won at trial, but he lost an appeal and was ordered to pay more than $16,000 in court costs. The case will be heard by the Supreme Court in the fall.

While not defending the Westboro Baptist Church’s actions, the 22 media organizations argued that the church is protected by the First Amendment. They also contend that the case could have a chilling effect on news gathering if Al Snyder prevails.  [Stars & Stripes]

Read the rest at the link, but apparently the media is concerned that they can be sued for insulting or spreading libel about people if the Westboro Baptist Church loses this court case.  They have good reason to be concerned considering what is currently happening in Canada and Europe with their hate speech laws that are being used to compensate Muslims for injuring their “dignity, feelings and self respect” for example.

It seems to me the simple answer is that states pass laws that restrict protests at funerals.  If these Westboro loons want to protest they can do so at the local park for example.  Anyone else have any better ideas?