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.
Some meetings or portions of meetings are considered to be outside the scope of the act altogether. See AS 44.62.310(d). Other portions of meetings are covered by the act but properly closed as executive sessions. The specific categories of meetings that can be held as executive sessions are spelled out in AS 44.62.310(c).
Rule 15(j) says that jury records are for internal court use only. “The parties, their attorneys, and agents of their attorneys shall not disclose or use the trial questionnaires, trial panel lists, or any compiles list of persons selected to serve on a jury except as permitted by this rule.” However, grand jury records are not specifically addressed in the rules or by the courts.
Alaska appellate courts have not had occasion to squarely address the existence or scope of a reporter's privilege. Various trial courts have recognized and applied the qualified constitutional privilege, and in doing so have not articulated circumstances constituting waiver of the privilege or standards for determining that the privilege has been deemed waived.
Alaska appellate courts have not had occasion to squarely address the existence or scope of a reporter's privilege. Various trial courts have recognized and applied the qualified constitutional privilege, and in doing so have not articulated circumstances constituting waiver of the privilege or standards for determining that the privilege has been deemed waived.
Law enforcement records may be withheld from disclosure under the Public Records Act to the extent that they could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source. AS 40.25.120(6)(D).
The following statutes allow or require public officials to keep records confidential. Note that the descriptions of the statutes authorizing or requiring confidentiality contained in this outline are, for the most part, summaries and paraphrases, not verbatim. Those who want the specific language of the statute, or more detailed information, should consult the Alaska Statute provisions cited in the outline.
The electronic media, still photographers and sketch artists are considered members of the media in Rules 50 of the Administrative Rules. According to the rule, court proceedings may be covered by all media according to provisions set forth such as an application for approval. In accordance with this rule, still cameras would not be permitted only in specific situations such as domestic violence or child custody proceedings or when the person who the photographer wishes to shoot is a victim of a sexual offense or a juror.
Whether collective bargaining negotiations are a suitable topic for public discussion of the body charged with approving the labor contracts, and even whether negotiations between the employees and representatives of the public employer should be public, are matters of public policy which may change from time to time as various state or local government entities experiment with the best way to handle such questions.
