Reporters Committee News http://www.rcfp.org/index.html News and developments concerning the First Amendment and Freedom of Information rights of journalists and the public, presented by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:34:36 EDT Reporters Committee News http://www.rcfp.org/index.html http://www.rcfp.org/_art/rcfpnews.gif Tweeting from the jury box soon to be banned in Michigan http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10905 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. The Michigan . . . Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:34:36 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10905 Court upholds dismissal of libel claims in Hawaii case http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10904 A state appellate court in Hawaii has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a suspected serial killer against two publications. Waldorf Roy Wilson sued Honolulu Magazine and The Garden . . . Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:32:27 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10904 Louisville newspaper sues over anti-litter ordinance http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10903 The Louisville Courier-Journal is suing the Louisville city government over an anti-litter ordinance the paper says violates its constitutional rights. The ordinance, which was approved in June, . . . Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:01:09 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10903 Hawaiian filmmaker looks to invoke reporter's privilege http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10902 A documentary filmmaker in Hawaii who has covered native burial practices might be the first person to assert the state's new shield law, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. Land developer . . . Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:41:16 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10902 Florida governor vetoes exemptions to public records law http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10866 Florida Governor Charlie Crist last week barred two new exemptions from being added to the state's public records law when he vetoed a pair of bills approved by state lawmakers. The first would have . . . Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:54:33 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10866 FOIA attorney's fee change not retroactive, court says http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10865 A federal appeals court has decided for the first time that the 2007 amendments to the Freedom of Information Act dealing with attorney’s fees are not retroactive. The decision, by the . . . Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:57:21 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10865 Author subpoenaed and barred from attending criminal trial http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10864 A freelance reporter writing a book about a psychiatrist's child molestation case has been called as a witness in the trial and kicked out of the courtroom, according to the San Mateo County Times. . . . Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:46:29 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10864 Kentucky lawsuit seeks anonymous commenter's identity http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10863 A Kentucky woman is seeking the identity of an Internet commenter who she says defamed her on a newspaper forum, The Courier-Journal of Louisville reports. The newspaper is trying to use Kentucky's . . . Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:27:24 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10863 Supreme Court to reconsider campaign finance laws http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10862 The Supreme Court said today it would rehear a case about how the government may regulate corporate and union speech related to elections. The Court will hear new arguments in a special session on . . . Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:22:17 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10862 Massachusetts ethics reform bill amends open meetings law http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10860 The Massachusetts Legislature passed an overhaul of the state’s ethics laws Thursday, which supporters lauded as much-needed reform. But the bill, now before Gov. Deval Patrick, weakens . . . Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:22:29 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10860 Louisiana records bill headed to governor's desk http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10861 A bill that would alter access to the Louisiana governor's official records received final approval from the state Senate Monday, and is on its way to the governor's desk. The public records law now . . . Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:52:32 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10861 Court upholds ban on death-row interviews http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10859 A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a regulation barring prisoners on death row in the federal system from meeting with reporters. In doing so, a majority of Seventh Circuit judges set a low . . . Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:28:34 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10859 CBS libel case to go to jury on actual malice http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10858 CBS could have acted with actual malice when it broadcast a story about a government employee who was investigated for allegations she had used federal dollars to buy a Ford Mustang, a federal court . . . Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:10:03 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10858 Internet posting can lead to privacy claim, court finds http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10857 Posting private information about someone on the Internet is enough to allow an invasion-of-privacy claim no matter how many people actually see it, the Minnesota Court of Appeals held this . . . Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:46:17 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10857 Ex-CIA employee accuses agency of interfering with columns http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10856 A Washington Examiner columnist and former CIA employee believes the agency's delays in approving his articles for publication amount to "low-level harassment," Congressional . . . Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:01:49 EDT http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10856