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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
Court: Criminal sanctions in Texas open meetings law do not violate First Amendment
September 25, 2012
A Texas law that permits the imposition of criminal sanctions against elected officials who meet in secret does not violate the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
New Jersey appeals court reinstates filmmaker's civil rights suit against Trenton police
September 24, 2012
A New Jersey state appeals court has reinstated a civil right lawsuit filed by a documentary filmmaker who claimed that a member of the Trenton Police Department harassed him while he was filming a project on street gangs. A three-judge panel of the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division concluded in an opinion released last Friday that Kelly Ramos had both a First Amendment and state constitutional right to videotape gang activities as well as interactions between gang members and police officers.
Appeals Court bars First Amendment nonprofit from intervening in Apple-Samsung case
September 20, 2012
A federal appeals court earlier this week temporarily resealed exhibits and evidence in a legal battle over smart phones and tablets, staying a trial judge’s order that certain records be released to the public. The court also denied an advocacy group’s attempt to intervene and keep the records open on appeal. In the highly publicized patent litigation between Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., news organization Reuters America LLC had filed a motion asking the trial court to unseal certain evidence and trial exhibits.
Federal judges weigh public access to visitor logs, protection of sensitive presidential information
September 18, 2012
Federal appellate court judges Tuesday voiced their concerns that releasing White House visitor logs to an advocacy group could release sensitive information held by the president. “What if the president met with possible appointees to a position?” Circuit Judge Merrick Garland asked. “They would be revealed. Or what about a unique visitor that would be so sensitive that their name alone would reveal why they were there?”
At least five journalists arrested during OWS protests
September 17, 2012
At least five journalists have been arrested in Manhattan while covering Occupy Wall Street protests marking the one-year anniversary of the movement. New York City police said the department has arrested 146 people between Saturday and this afternoon. Those arrested include Hunter College student journalist John Bolger, economic journalist Mark Provost, illustrator Molly Crabapple and photojournalists Julia Reinhart and Charles Meacham.
Twitter hands over subpoenaed records in Occupy Wall Street prosecution
September 14, 2012
Twitter complied today with a court order to hand over to New York prosecutors an Occupy Wall Street protester’s tweets and subscriber information.
Twitter faces looming deadline on court order to reveal user's information
September 13, 2012
After a state appellate court earlier this week denied Twitter's request to stay the proceedings, lawyers for the social networking company argued that disclosing an Occupy Wall Street protester's tweets and subscriber information would negatively affect those who use the social media service.
Appeals court tightens public access to search warrants
September 13, 2012
A federal appellate court held last week that there is no First Amendment right for the media to access police and court documents filed in connection with search warrant proceedings.
Journalists harmed by terrorist law that chills speech activities, federal judge rules
September 13, 2012
A federal judge in New York Wednesday blocked enforcement of a provision of a statute that would allow the U.S. government to indefinitely detain Americans who give “substantial support” to terrorists groups, finding that journalists' and others' fears of detention under the law are reasonable.
Protesters, police and press avoid major confrontations at Democratic National Convention
September 7, 2012
A large, well-trained law enforcement presence and fewer, more peaceful protesters allowed the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. to run smoothly and prevented journalists’ arrests, according to police and lawyers who followed the events.
Maine's amended Freedom of Access Act "a step forward"
September 5, 2012
Recent changes in Maine’s Freedom of Access Act have funded an ombudsman position and improved access to public records under the law. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Richard Rosen and signed into law last week by Gov. Paul LePage, is "a step forward" in the public's ability to access records in a system previously marked by confusion and poor organization, media advocates said.
Police planning credited with avoiding problems at Republican National Convention
September 4, 2012
The 2012 Republican National Convention last week saw minimal arrests, no violence and fewer protesters, a marked contrast from past conventions. The Democratic convention is also starting off with few incidents.
Public interest outweighs confidentiality in Ky. juvenile sexual assault case
August 31, 2012
A Kentucky judge earlier this week granted a local newspaper’s request to unseal records in a juvenile sexual abuse case that sparked widespread support for the victim after she publicly identified her alleged attackers. Jefferson District Court Chief Judge Angela McCormick Bisig also ruled that all proceedings held in the case will be open to the public and allowed the news media to photograph in the courtroom.
Phoenix alternative newspaper can proceed with suit against Arpaio, court rules
August 30, 2012
Two executives of an alternative Arizona newspaper can continue their civil rights and conspiracy lawsuit against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and a special prosecutor hired to investigate the publication. The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco (9th Cir.) reversed a trial court’s dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin, publishers of Phoenix New Times, against Arpaio and Dennis Wilenchik, a former Maricopa County special prosecutor.
Wisconsin radio reporter locked out of Romney campaign event
August 23, 2012
Campaign staffers for presidential candidate Mitt Romney barred a local radio reporter from covering a Republican Wisconsin senator’s stump speech Wednesday on behalf of Romney because of the actions of one of the station’s on-air personalities. Dylan Brogan, a reporter for WTDY Radio in Madison, was assigned to cover the appearance of U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Johnson’s appearance was billed in a press release as a talk about Romney’s plan to grow the economy and strengthen the middle class.