A Mississippi judge ordered the Clarksdale Press Register to delete an editorial criticizing city officials, sparking alarm among First Amendment advocates.

The city sued the newspaper over its February 8 column, which accused officials of failing to notify the public about a tax hearing.

Without a hearing, Judge Crystal Wise Martin ruled the editorial must be removed, citing alleged defamation.

Press freedom groups condemned the order as unconstitutional censorship, the Independent has reported.

Critics note the irony of officials suing over secrecy allegations while suppressing criticism.

A hearing is set for February 27.

Written by B.C. Begley