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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.

    Virginia

    Trial subpoena for Risen's testimony more likely to succeed

    Aaron Mackey | Reporter's Privilege | Feature | June 29, 2011
    Aaron Mackey
    Feature
    June 29, 2011

    It is more likely that a New York Times investigative reporter will have to testify in a trial against a former CIA official accused of leaking classified information, even though his subpoena before a grand jury for much of the same information was quashed, the federal judge handling the case said in a November ruling made public on Tuesday.

    New York Times reporter asks judge to quash subpoena

    Clara Hogan | Reporter's Privilege | Feature | June 22, 2011
    Clara Hogan
    Feature
    June 22, 2011

    New York Times investigative reporter James Risen officially asked a federal judge yesterday to quash a government-issued subpoena for his testimony about a confidential source in the criminal trial of a former CIA official accused of leaking classified information.

    New York Times reporter subpoenaed by U.S. government

    Clara Hogan | Reporter's Privilege | Feature | May 24, 2011
    Clara Hogan
    Feature
    May 24, 2011

    The U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena yesterday for the testimony of a New York Times reporter in the trial of Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA operations officer accused of leaking classified information, highlighting a trend of government attempts to use journalists’ testimony in cases against government employees who reveal government information in exchange for anonymity.

    Virginia court reinstates defamation suit against officer

    Lyndsey Wajert | Libel | Feature | April 26, 2011
    Lyndsey Wajert
    Feature
    April 26, 2011

    The Virginia Supreme Court ruled last week that a man who brought a defamation suit against a police officer should have been able to argue his case in front of a jury.

    Michael A. Lewis Jr., a contractor in Prince George County, sued Lt. Brian Kei of the Prince George County police department for defamation, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment in 2009. A Prince George County Circuit Court judge dismissed the claims in November 2009.

    Reporters Committee urges appeals court to revisit sealed records

    Press Release | April 5, 2011
    April 5, 2011

    The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press today urged a federal appeals court to review the automatic sealing of records in a legal battle between Internet search engine Google and the language-education company Rosetta Stone.

    Amicus brief in McBurney v. Young

    March 23, 2011
    application/pdf icon20110323-amicusbriefinmcburneyvyoung.pdf

    Urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to hold that the commonwealth citizenship requirement provision contained in Virginia's freedom of information laws is unconstitutional.

    Reporters Committee joins fight against Va. FOI restrictions

    Press Release | March 23, 2011
    March 23, 2011

    The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press today filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of a challenge to a Virginia statute that limits access to state and local public records to Virginia residents.

    Joined by 21 news media companies and journalism organizations, the Reporters Committee brief argues the statute is unconstitutional because it discriminates between Virginia citizens and everybody else, creating a substantial burden on the rights of journalists.

    Comments to Virginia General Assembly re: HB 2383

    January 27, 2011
    application/pdf icon20110127-commentstovirginiageneralassemblyrehb2383.pdf

    Urging rejection of HB 2383, a bill to amend the Virginia FOIA to allow state public bodies the ability to seek court permission to ignore harassing, abusive or overly burdensome document requests.

    Richmond police reportedly drop case to retrieve FOIA docs

    Derek Green | Prior Restraints | Feature | January 11, 2011
    Derek Green
    Feature
    January 11, 2011

    Attorneys for the recipient of police documents obtained through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act report that the city of Richmond, Va., and its police chief intend to drop their court case seeking the return of the produced documents.

    Va. judge voids board ruling after open meetings violation

    Rosemary Lane | Freedom of Information | Feature | September 9, 2010
    Rosemary Lane
    Feature
    September 9, 2010

    A Virginia state judge ruled last week that the Augusta County Board of Equalization violated the state Freedom of Information Act after it failed to conduct open meetings and produce meeting minutes, resulting in an invalidation of the board’s former ruling for what looks like the first time in Virginia.

    The ruling is significant as it appears to be the first time a Virginia judge has voided government action taken in violation of the open meetings requirements found within the state Freedom of Information Act.