Digital Journalist's Legal Guide

Everything online journalists need to protect their legal rights. This free resource culls from all Reporters Committee resources and includes exclusive content on digital media law issues.

Briefs & Comments

Comments on Minnesota court access plans (PDF)

February 9, 2004

The Reporters Committee and others criticized a proposed plan covering access to Minnesota court records in both electronic and paper form that is unnecessarily restrictive.
Motion to intervene in M.K.B. v. Warden (PDF)

January 2, 2004

Asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow media organizations to intervene in a Sept. 11-related court secrecy case.
Amicus brief in U.S. v. Ochoa-Vasquez (PDF)

December 23, 2003

Urging the U.S. Court of Appeals (11th Cir.) to bar the practice of maintaining a secret docket for some cases.
Amicus brief in Star-Tribune v. Regents (PDF)

December 22, 2003

Arguing that the University of Minnesota must disclose the names of finalists in its presidential search
RCFP protest letter to Texas prisons (PDF)

December 11, 2003

Protesting the prison system's decision to exclude non-fiction book authors from the definition of "journalists" who are allowed to interview inmates.
Amicus brief in M.K.B. v. Warden (PDF)

November 3, 2003

Arguing that a habeas corpus proceeding related to a terrorism case should be open to the public.
Letter to Attorney General Ashcroft concerning sealing of federal cases (PDF)

October 23, 2003

The Reporters Committee voiced concerns over the apparent policy of federal prosecutors to routine request complete closure of many criminal cases, in violation of department guidelines that encourage openness.
Protest letter to FBI over subpoena letter to journalists

October 3, 2003

Urging the FBI to rescind letters sent to journalists ordering them to preserve records pending subpoenas to be obtained by the FBI.
Amicus brief in Doe v. Chao (PDF)

September 25, 2003

Urging the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize a limit on damages under the federal Privacy Act.
Amicus brief in Office of Independent Counsel v. Favish (PDF)

August 22, 2003

Arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court that photographs from the Vincent Foster death scene should be released in the public interest.
Questions for Attorney General John Ashcroft on the USA PATRIOT Act and its effect on the news media

August 20, 2003

As the Attorney General starts his nationwide tour to promote the USA PATRIOT Act, questions of how it will be used against journalists remain unanswered.
Comments to DHS on Critical Infrastructure Information

June 16, 2003

Expressing concern that the Department will interpret broadly, rather than narrowly, its ability to keep information labeled as "critical infrastructure information" from the public.
Amicus brief in United States v. Moussaoui

April 3, 2003

Urging the Fourth Circuit to allow media access to documents and hearings
Amicus brief in In re PETA

March 21, 2003

Urging the Virginia Supreme Court to allow access to filings in a controversial case.
Comments on DHS Interm Final FOI Act Rules

February 25, 2003

Urging the Department of Homeland Security to incorporate provisions of the Department of Justice regulation allowing expedited processing of requests when it is determined that they involve "a matter of widespread and exceptional media interest."

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Briefs & Comments

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