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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.

    Content Regulation

    This section covers government attempts to regulate certain kinds of content, from the Federal Communications Commission's regulation of broadcasting (specifically indecency) to legislative attempts to "rein in" the Internet. It also covers copyright law, and the use of copyrighted works is regulated by law.

    Western federal courts can now videotape some trials

    Rory Eastburg | Content Regulation | Feature | December 18, 2009
    Rory Eastburg
    Feature
    December 18, 2009

    The body that oversees 15 western federal trial courts announced a pilot program yesterday that will allow the videotaping of some civil trials.

    Networks say new FCC policies are indecent

    Lawsuits challenge commission’s restrictions on fleeting profanities
    Feature
    Page Number: 
    25
    Ansley Schrimpf

    From the Fall 2009 issue of The News Media & The Law, page 25.

    A Fox Television suit over expletives uttered during live broadcasts could become the first major constitutional challenge to the Federal Communication Commission’s indecency regulations since the 1970s.

    The News Media and The Law, Fall 2009

    With Fox dispute intensifying, White House pledges to cooperate

    Ansley Schrimpf | Content Regulation | Quicklink | October 20, 2009
    Ansley Schrimpf
    Quicklink
    October 20, 2009

    Just days after the White House excluded Fox News from the roster of networks that hosted senior aides on weekend news shows, administration officials have pledged to book representatives on the network going forward, the Associated Press reported.

    New FTC guidelines may affect electronic journalists

    Brooke Ericson | Content Regulation | Feature | October 7, 2009
    Brooke Ericson
    Feature
    October 7, 2009

    The Federal Trade Commission approved on Monday final revisions to new guidelines that will require manufacturers and bloggers who work for them to disclose the exchange of free merchandise.

    The guidelines are meant to apply to those who are paid to promote products, not those who are engaged in journalism, but drawing a line between the two is often difficult, and ultimately will have to be decided by courts if the FTC chooses to prosecute a blogger who is engaged in journalism.

    Judge reprimanded for allowing cameras in courtroom

    Rory Eastburg | Content Regulation | Feature | October 2, 2009
    Rory Eastburg
    Feature
    October 2, 2009

    An appellate judge criticized a federal district court judge on Monday for allowing video recording and still photography at a court hearing.

    Web sites with anonymous comments denied university press passes

    Brooke Ericson | Content Regulation | Quicklink | September 28, 2009
    Brooke Ericson
    Quicklink
    September 28, 2009

    A recent story on a football game in the INDenver Times highlighted a Colorado University press policy that limits which Web sites are granted press passes to cover athetic games.

    Networks challenge indecency regulations in appeals

    Ansley Schrimpf | Content Regulation | Feature | September 18, 2009
    Ansley Schrimpf
    Feature
    September 18, 2009

    The Federal Communication Commmission's battle over fines for controversial moments during awards shows and the Superbowl continues, as briefs were filed this week in two separate cases about what constitutes a "fleeting expletive" -- unscripted spontaneous profanity in a live broadcast -- under the agency's indecency regulations.

    AP settles lawsuit against Web site that repackaged "hot news"

    Lucas Tanglen | Content Regulation | Quicklink | July 14, 2009
    Lucas Tanglen
    Quicklink
    July 14, 2009

    The Associated Press settled its lawsuit against All Headline News over AP stories that were rewritten and posted online without credit, the wire service announced Wednesday.

    Tweeting from the jury box soon to be banned in Michigan

    Caitlin Dickson | Content Regulation | Quicklink | July 2, 2009
    Caitlin Dickson
    Quicklink
    July 2, 2009

    Starting in September, Michigan jurors will no longer be allowed to send text messages, "tweet" or engage in other forms of electronic communication during trials.

    CBS 'wardrobe malfunction' case remanded

    Kathleen Cullinan | Content Regulation | Feature | May 4, 2009
    Kathleen Cullinan
    Feature
    May 4, 2009

    A federal appeals court must reconsider its ruling vacating a $550,000 FCC fine against CBS over Janet Jackson's televised 2004 "wardrobe malfunction," the Supreme Court ordered Monday.