FOI Fixers: Sens. Cornyn and Leahy take on reform of the federal Freedom of Information Act.     Publisher Lucy A. Dalglish Editor Gregg P. Leslie Managing Editor Kirsten B. Mitchell Contributors Andrew Brenner, Kimberley Keyes, Ryan Lozar, Grant Penrod Administration Lois Lloyd, Victor Gaberman, Maria Gowen   RCFP Steering Committee Scott Applewhite, The Associated Press Rosemary Armao, S. Florida Sun-Sentinel Charles Babcock, The Washington Post Chip Bok, Akron Beacon Journal Earl Caldwell, Pacifica Radio Rebecca Carr, Cox Newspapers Walter Cronkite, CBS News Gary Deckelnick, Asbury Park Press Richard S. Dunham, Business Week Ashlea Ebeling, Forbes Magazine Sara Fritz, Freelance Steve Geimann, Bloomberg News Fred Graham, Court TV John C. Henry, Freelance Nat Hentoff, The Village Voice Karen Gray Houston, Fox News Peter Jennings, ABC News Stephen Labaton, The New York Times Tony Mauro, American Laywer Media Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times Wilson F. Minor, Factual Reporting Service Sandra Peddie, Newsday Dan Rather, CBS News David Rosenbaum, The New York Times Cristine Russell, Freelance Tim Russert, NBC News Gerald F. Seib, The Wall Street Journal Carole Simpson, ABC News Saundra Torry, USA Today Judy Woodruff, CNN   Affiliations appear for purposes of identification.   The Reporters Committee would like to thank The Associated Press for permission to use photos from its files.   © 2005 by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Published four times a year. Price: $7.50 per issue. Address correspondence to: The News Media and The Law 1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100 Arlington, VA 22209 Telephone: (703) 807-2100 Internet: www.rcfp.org E-mail: rcfp@rcfp.org ISSN: 0149-0737

The News Media & The Law   Spring 2005    •    Vol. 29, No. 2     In this issue:  Editorial   EDITORIAL Happy Birthday to the RCFP  Cover Story   COVER STORY The yin and yang of FOI reformers John Cornyn and Patrick Leahy team to push for changes to the federal records law   SIDEBAR Profiles of FOIA reformers   SIDEBAR Reforms proposed in the ‘OPEN Government Act’   COVER STORY Fixing FOI Bill to revamp FOI Act suggests first real changes since '96   GUEST COMMENTARY One less worry in the Lone Star State   COVER STORY Shifting the burden The FOI Act reform bill would end an attorney fees problem, where federal agencies avoid paying such fees by dropping challenges at the last minute   COVER STORY Policing compliance Public records ombudsmen mediate disputes between government officials, public  Prior Restraints   FEATURE Blocking media gags Two do-not-publish orders recently nullified, while a complete gag on speech awaits high court review   SIDEBAR Informal court action can be prior restraint, Kennedy says   SIDEBAR Boston judge's restraint expires  Newsgathering   FEATURE Ehrlich’s edict The Maryland governor’s ban on talking to two reporters trickles down  Confidentiality/Privilege   FEATURE In light of reason and experience Lawyers who traditionally rely on the First Amendment to battle subpoenas build the case for a common law privilege   SIDEBAR Journalists and public support use of confidential sources, new survey shows   FEATURE The state of the shield In the wake of reporters being ordered to reveal their confidential sources,several states consider enacting shield laws  Libel   FEATURE Safely shining in the spotlight When reporters appear in unfamiliar formats, problems can occur  Freedom of Information   FEATURE Alabama jettisons open meetings law, adopts new one   COMMENTARY Even when you get it, it’s not all there   FEATURE Breaking the records law Law enforcement officials are among the worst at fulfilling records requests  Broadcasting   FEATURE Streaming from Alaska to Florida More and more courts are making oral arguments available on the Web   ROUNDUP Courtrooms shuttered to cameras in three trials  Legislative Update   FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Congress turns a spotlight on access, privilege issues  From the Hotline   FROM THE HOTLINE From the Hotline  Open & Shut   OPEN & SHUT Open & Shut A recent collection of funny, fascinating, nonsensical or just notable newsworthy quotations