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    Digital Journalist's Legal Guide
    Tablet and mobile phone showing news online

    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.

    Classified information

    Any sensitive government information or material that requires protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security, or the national defense and foreign relations of the United States; classified information is restricted by an order of the president, federal law or regulation to a particular group of people

    Federal courts have power to review classification decisions, government brief confirms

    Monika Fidler | Freedom of Information | News | November 28, 2012
    Monika Fidler
    News
    November 28, 2012

    Government attorneys confirmed on Tuesday that federal courts have the right under the federal Freedom of Information Act to review agency decisions to classify documents when invoking the law's national security exemption.

    Journalists assert reporter's privilege in whistleblower prosecution

    Kristen Rasmussen | Reporter's Privilege | News | October 15, 2012
    Kristen Rasmussen
    News
    October 15, 2012

    Update, Oct. 23: Kiriakou pleaded guilty today to one count of disclosing information identifying a covert agent and will likely be sentenced to two and a half years years imprisonment under a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of the agreement, the remaining four counts of the indictment, including three counts of violating the Espionage Act, were dismissed. Kiriakou is scheduled to be sentenced in January.