Publications Index
General
· The First Amendment Handbook
Freedom of Information
· The Open Government Guide (formerly Tapping Officials' Secrets)
· How to Use the Federal FOI Act
· Access to Electronic Records
· Privatization v. The Public's Right to Know
Secret courts & court access
· Electronic Access to Court Records
· Secret Justice: Secret Juries
· Secret Justice: Alternative Dispute Resolution
· Secret Justice: Access to Terrorism Proceedings
· Secret Justice: Secret Dockets
· Secret Justice: Judicial Speech
· Secret Justice: Anonymous Juries
· Secret Justice: Grand Juries
Newsgathering
· A Reporter's Guide to American Indian Law
· A Reporter's Guide to Medical Privacy Law
· A Reporter's Guide to Military Justice
Reporter's privilege (subpoenas & confidentiality of sources
Privacy
· Photographers' Guide to Privacy
Covering terrorism
· Behind the Homefront (Note: this blog was discontinued in Aug. 2007, and is here for archive search purposes.
· Secret Justice: Access to Terrorism Proceedings (published Winter 2002)
· Homefront Confidential: How the War on Terrorism Affects Access to Information and the Public's Right to Know (Sixth Edition, September 2005)
The News Media & The Law
Our quarterly magazine, featuring articles on current controversies and interesting developments in First Amendment and Freedom of Information law that affect the news media.
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Issues available online:
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All publications alphabetically:
A state-by-state guide to obtaining government data in electronic format.
A reporter's guide to proceedings and documents in juvenile courts in the 50 states and D.C.
A guidebook intended to give reporters a "plan of attack" when access to newsworthy events has been unreasonably denied, and discusses legal restrictions that may be placed on reporters, as well as what to do if the restrictions seem unreasonable.
A reporter’s state-by-state access guide to law enforcement records
A survey of subpoenas served on the news media.
A state-by-state guide to laws on taping phone calls and conversations.
Electronic Access to Court Records
A survey of state laws and policies on remote electronic access to court records, including information on committees that are developing such policies in the states.
This booklet is designed to provide a basic primer on the laws affecting reporters' rights to gather and disseminate news. American journalists need to know their rights, and how to fight back when those rights are threatened; The First Amendment Handbook is an important weapon in that fight.
How to Use the Federal FOI Act
Designed as a general "do-it-yourself" guide to using the federal Freedom of Information Act, this booklet describes how to use the Act as an effective investigative tool, and provides sample letters, forms and directories to assist you in dealing with the government promptly and effectively.
How a steady stream of government decisions has eroded reporting on important issues (Fall 2003)
The fifth edition of our comprehensive state-by-state guide to open records and meetings laws (formerly titled "Tapping Officials' Secrets").
Photographers' Guide to Privacy
How laws on the right to privacy affect photojournalists, including key cases in all states.
Privatization v. The Public's Right to Know
Privatization is on the rise, but public access laws have yet to catch up -- shielding important organizations from media scrutiny.
An examination of the extent of the right to gather news, with advice on fighting for access to newsworthy situations. This guide borrows from Access to Places, The Open Government Guide and The First Amendment Handbook.
A Reporter's Guide to American Indian Law
A guide to covering American Indian communities, which is like no other beat because sovereignty gives tribes the right to decide their level of press freedom -- whether to shut down completely in the media spotlight or to open their doors to scrutiny.
A Reporter's Guide to Medical Privacy Law
A guide to HIPAA's restrictive medical rules and how they affect how journalists cover stories.
A Reporter's Guide to Military Justice
A guide for journalists who hope to understand the military justice process and the unusual procedures for handling courts martial.
A detailed examination of the reporter's privilege and shield laws in each state and federal circuit, with practical information on seeking to quash a subpoena and appealing an order to testify or produce documents.
Secret Justice:
A series of reports on access to the judicial system
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A report on attempts to keep juror identities secret. Understanding and fighting judge's efforts to silence participants in the judicial process. Alternative Dispute Resolution A look at the alternatives to court proceedings used by litigants, and how the media can fight to gain access. Access to Terrorism Proceedings An examination of post-9/11 access to criminal proceedings, immigration hearings, and military tribunals. A look at hidden cases that some courts keep off the dockets, and how journalists can fight for access. A guide to understanding the limits of the working relationship between judges and reporters. A report on a growing trend and advice to counteract it. A look at reporting restraints and secrecy concerning grand juries, and what reporters need to know. |
This guide is now called the Open Government Guide.
Featured guides
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This booklet is designed to provide a basic primer on the laws affecting reporters' rights to gather and disseminate news. American journalists need to know their rights, and how to fight back when those rights are threatened; The First Amendment Handbook is an important weapon in that fight.
The fifth edition of our comprehensive state-by-state guide to open records and meetings laws (formerly titled "Tapping Officials' Secrets").
A detailed examination of the reporter's privilege and shield laws in each state and federal circuit, with practical information on seeking to quash a subpoena an appealing an order to testify or produce documents.
Listen or subscribe to our podcast on recent developments in the law as it affects journalists.