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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: 2013-05-07
Format: 2013-05-07
Federal appeals court orders reconsideration of Rosetta Stone's trademark claims against Google
April 10, 2012
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., (4th Cir.) ordered a lower court yesterday to reconsider several of Rosetta Stone’s claims against Google over the search engine's use of trademarks in its web advertising platform.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker detained at U.S. border sparks debate over searches of electronic devices
April 10, 2012
An Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker and journalist said she was detained by the Department of Homeland Security when trying to re-enter the United States last week after traveling in Great Britain, renewing the legal debate over electronic device searches at U.S. borders and their implications for newsgathering.
Former CIA operative John Kiriakou indicted by grand jury for leaking confidential information to journalists
April 9, 2012
A federal grand jury handed down a five-count criminal indictment against former CIA intelligence officer John C. Kiriakou for allegedly disclosing confidential information to journalists on multiple occasions.
Arizona bill could make writing an annoying or offensive electronic statement a misdemeanor
April 6, 2012
Arizona legislators say they are limiting the language of a controversial proposed bill that criminalizes speech via "electronic or digital device" that could, among other things, "offend or annoy" someone else. The bill passed the Arizona house and senate in March, but is now back on the floor after First Amendment advocates complained that the bill's language was too broad.
Court rules government can withhold intelligence records from UK parliamentary group under FOIA
April 6, 2012
A U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., ruled earlier this week that a group consisting of more than 50 members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament is considered a foreign “government entity” and cannot obtain information from U.S. intelligence agencies under a provision in the federal Freedom of Information Act.
First Circuit hears oral argument in Boston College subpoenas case
April 5, 2012
Promises of confidentiality made to compile an oral history of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland must be upheld by the court to protect the participants, even though the British government says the records contain information about the murder of a mother of ten, according to parties fighting subpoenas in oral arguments before a federal appellate court yesterday.
Vt. high court rules criminal investigation records remain exempt after investigation ends
April 3, 2012
The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that records related to the investigation of a crime are exempt under the state’s Access to Public Records Act — with no time limit for when the exemption expires.
Judge denies blogger retrial in Oregon defamation case
April 3, 2012
A federal judge denied a motion for retrial in the case of a self-described investigative blogger, ruling that private figure plaintiffs do not have to establish “negligence” or “actual malice” to hold a non-media defendant liable in a defamation suit arising out of speech not on a matter of public concern.
Libel lawsuit against professional review website dismissed under Wash. anti-SLAPP statute
April 2, 2012
The U.S. District Court in Seattle dismissed a lawsuit against a website that profiles and rates lawyers, doctors and dentists across the country under the Washington anti-SLAPP statute.
Redacted court documents could be released in heavily sealed Bradley Manning case
April 2, 2012
In the first movement toward transparency in the tightly sealed trial of Pfc. Bradley Manning, the man accused of leaking thousands of classified documents to the website WikiLeaks, the court granted the defense permission to publish redacted versions of court filings online. But first, the government will have a chance to review, redact and bring up any concerns with the documents before they are released to the public.
U.S. Supreme Court rules emotional distress damages not available under Privacy Act
March 30, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that a plaintiff cannot collect damages for emotional distress for government violations of the federal Privacy Act.
Reporter's challenge of sealed arrest warrants provides details about allegations against ex-police officer
March 30, 2012
A Connecticut judge recently unsealed search warrant materials in the case of an ex-police officer charged with dozens of offenses related to his alleged unlawful use of the department’s computer database after a local newspaper reporter challenged the secrecy of the court records.
Federal judge rejects CNN's anti-SLAPP motion in closed captioning lawsuit
March 29, 2012
CNN's decision not to include closed captioning services for its online video content was not First Amendment protected conduct, and because of that the company is not entitled to early dismissal of a lawsuit under California's anti-SLAPP statute, a federal judge has ruled.
Pa. court orders state transportation dept. to release speed tracking device records to ticketed speeder
March 29, 2012
A Pennsylvania appellate court ruled on Tuesday that the state Department of Transportation must release records on speed enforcement devices used by state police agencies in full – without any redactions – under the state's Right-to-Know Law to an engineer whose speeding ticket sparked the requests.
Pa. utilities investigation records exempt from release to Wall Street Journal
March 28, 2012
A Pennsylvania appellate court ruled that The Wall Street Journal was not entitled to records from investigations of public utilities under the state’s open records law.