The News Media and The Law, Winter 2000

Editorial

 

Coming soon: more closure

Freedom of Information

 

Congress can regulate release of drivers' records

 

Without hearing, high court overturns decision on openness of British letter

 

Governments can deny records access to commercial users

 

Newspapers join forces to investigate records law compliance

 

Fears of 'unsavory' coverage outweigh interests in Foster autopsy photos

 

Police videotapes of bookings are public records

 

Non-personnel records in employees' files not exempt

 

Pork referendum petitioners can keep signatures secret

 

Records on state employees' unused sick leave are public

 

Tapes played in open court are public, regardless of crime law

 

Sex-offender registry laws withstand privacy challenges

Reporter's Privilege

 

State's 'due process' right doesn't trump shield law

 

Naming source not waiver of privilege

 

Journalists avoid contempt citations in Texas, Ireland

 

High court orders journalists to testify before grand jury

Newsgathering

 

Journalists arrested in Seattle, Milwaukee, Chicago

 

Journalists challenge prison policies

Secret Courts

 

Judge was wrong to deny media access in King trial

 

Courts allow order requiring journalists to sign secrecy agreement

 

Service sues judges over nondisclosure

 

Act's prohibition on simulated child porn is unconstitutional

 

State law criminalizing 'harmful' communication is overbroad

Libel

 

Singer's divorce is matter of legitimate public concern

 

Contents of innocently received audiotapes can be published

 

High court denies review in wiretap, libel cases

 

Mayoral candidate cannot prove 'actual malice' in political ad

Content Regulation

 

Camera ban ruled unconstitutional, but not all courts agree

 

King estate's copyright in 'Dream' speech upheld on appeal

 

 

Sources & Citations