Reporters Committee releases guide to legal issues in covering Ohio school shooting

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has put together a guide on some of the legal issues that journalists covering the Ohio school shooting may encounter. The guide is available on the Reporters Committee web site, and covers primarily freedom-of-information and court-access issues.

On Feb. 27, Ohio high school sophomore T.J. Lane allegedly gunned down three students at Chardon High School and wounded two others. The 17-year-old is charged with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault in juvenile court. Since the shooting, journalists have descended on the small town of Chardon, about a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh.

About the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Founded in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press offers free legal support to thousands of working journalists and media lawyers each year. It is a leader in the fight against persistent efforts by government officials to impede the release of public information, whether by withholding documents or threatening reporters with jail. In addition to its 24/7 Legal Defense Hotline, the Reporters Committee conducts cutting-edge legal research, publishes handbooks and guides on media law issues, files frequent friend-of-the-court legal briefs and offers challenging fellowships and internships for young lawyers and journalists. For more information, go to www.rcfp.org, or follow us on Twitter @rcfp.