Alaska

ALASKA--The state Supreme Court in Anchorage unanimously ruled in late November that the state constitutional right to privacy prevents the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from disclosing the names of its employees and private contractors involved in a wolf population control program. The court did hold, however, that time sheets of the employees and contractors were subject to disclosure under the state Public Records Act.

ALASKA--In early September, a federal appeals court panel in San Francisco (9th Cir.) unanimously held that plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of Alaska's Sex Offender Registration Act could file a pseudonymous complaint in federal district court.

ALASKA--In mid-March the Alaska Supreme Court in Anchorage dismissed a libel action brought against the Juneau Empire by a tramway developer after finding that the developer was a public figure and did not demonstrate actual malice. The court also held that actual malice must be proven in cases involving matters of public interest, regardless of the plaintiff's status.

ALASKA -- A Juneau publisher filed suit in mid- October against the governor's office, claiming officials violated the state constitution and Public Records Act when they refused to disclose documents relating to the proposed annual state budget.