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Digital Journalist's Legal Guide
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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.

News

Format: 2013-05-06
Format: 2013-05-06
Child abuse records must be disclosed to newspapers, Ky. appellate court rules
July 12, 2012
Two Kentucky newspapers earned a victory in a lengthy legal battle with child welfare officials this week when a state appellate court ruled that records relating to child abuse cases that resulted in death or near-fatal injuries must continue to be publicly disclosed.
Congressional committee holds hearing on national security leak prevention and punishment
July 11, 2012
Recent leaks of classified information prompted concerned members of the Congressional House Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing today to address consequences for those involved in releasing and publishing national secrets.
Government transparency advocates oppose D.C. open records law restrictions at city council hearing
July 11, 2012
Government transparency advocates and the District of Columbia attorney general testified today at a district council hearing regarding three bills that propose various amendments to the district’s open records law.
Government argues FOIA would provide sufficient access to Manning court-martial documents
July 10, 2012
The federal government asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces on Monday to become the third court to deny the public access to military court documents in the court-martial of Pfc. Bradley Manning. The government’s argument: the Freedom of Information Act is the proper method to obtain the materials.
Department of Labor implements new "lock-up" policy for media
July 10, 2012
The U.S. Department of Labor began implementing parts of its new, slightly more-friendly media policy regarding journalists' access to embargoed job statistics. In response to publicized media concerns, the policy, which takes full effect on Sept. 5, gives credentialed reporters the option of using their own department-approved newsgathering equipment during the "lock-ups."
Government says it will not seek testimony of journalists in Kiriakou prosecution
July 9, 2012
The U.S. government announced it will not subpoena journalists as witnesses in the prosecution of a former intelligence officer who allegedly leaked classified information.
Rhode Island Supreme Court dismisses defamation complaint against reporter, talk radio host
July 9, 2012
The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a defamation claim brought by a restaurant owner against two journalists for their coverage of a 2009 "off the record" event at his restaurant where attendees included politicians, businesspeople and press members.
Federal appeals court rejects academic researchers' reporter's privilege defense
July 9, 2012
The First Amendment-based reporter's privilege does not extend to a pair of academic researchers working on an oral history project for a Massachusetts university, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston (1st Cir.) ruled Friday.
N.J. high court denies access to public law school clinic's legal records
July 6, 2012
The New Jersey high court ruled Thursday that case records handled at public law school clinics are not considered public records because in dealing with private clients, the clinics do not conduct "official government business" and releasing the records may discourage people from seeking the clinics’ services.
Judge orders blogger to take down information about woman accused in hit-and-run case
July 5, 2012
A Massachusetts district judge ordered a blogger to remove from his website all references to a woman who faced criminal charges related to a car accident that seriously injured a pedestrian. A hearing Monday will bring into question the constitutionality of the order, which some argue violates the First Amendment.
UC Berkeley police settle with unlawfully arrested photographer for $162,500; more police training
July 5, 2012
The University of California Berkeley Police Department has settled with an independent photographer who sued the department after he was arrested and had his photographs confiscated while covering a protest in 2009. As part of the $162,500 settlement, the department has also agreed to change its policies towards the media and train officers about journalists' legal protections.
N.Y. court orders Twitter to turn over user information in criminal case
July 3, 2012
A New York criminal court ruled that prosecutors seeking information about a defendant’s Internet activity can subpoena third-party online service provider Twitter. The request is not a government intrusion under the Fourth Amendment, he held, but a federal law requires a search warrant for some recent information.
Supreme Court rules Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional
June 28, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a federal law that criminalizes lying about military medals violates the First Amendment. In a 6-3 decision, the Court affirmed the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco (9th Cir.) in United States v. Alvarez that the federal Stolen Valor Act was unconstitutional because of the severe limitations it placed on the First Amendment.
Supreme Court ignores requests for video and audio access to health care ruling
June 28, 2012
Disregarding appeals made by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on behalf of nearly 50 news media organizations and the Senate Judiciary Committee, the U.S. Supreme Court did not allow live video or audio coverage in the courtroom today, when it announced its historic decision upholding President Obama’s health care overhaul law.
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules public should not be charged cost to redact public records
June 28, 2012
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled yesterday that authorities cannot charge the public for redaction costs under its public records law. The decision rejected an attempt by the City of Milwaukee Police Department to charge redaction costs for providing records in two requests filed by reporters at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.