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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.

    Protective order

    A court order that prevents the disclosure of sensitive information except to certain individuals under certain conditions; in civil litigation, courts may issue protective orders restricting the procuring and dissemination of sensitive discovery information from the opposing party on a showing of good cause

    Maine newspapers object to 'exceedingly broad' protective order

    Lilly Chapa | Secret Courts | News | October 1, 2012
    Lilly Chapa
    News
    October 1, 2012

    Two Maine newspapers filed an objection Friday to a proposed protective order in a prostitution case that would prevent the discussion and dissemination of evidence and progress of the case.

    Lawyer who released texts to paper faces possible contempt

    Kristen Rasmussen | Secret Courts | Feature | February 27, 2012
    Kristen Rasmussen
    Feature
    February 27, 2012

    An attorney who opposes an Ohio city prosecutor accused of racial discrimination is facing possible contempt charges after he released text messages involved in the lawsuit to two local newspaper reporters.

    The attorney, Scott Cochran, and his client, the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown, are accused of releasing the documents in violation of a court order requiring that any personal information contained in the records be redacted before their public release.