Photojournalist Bradley Stuart Allen was charged with felony conspiracy and other offenses for his coverage of an "Occupy" demonstration in Santa Cruz, Calif. The Reporters Committee and National Press Photographers Association argued that newsgathering is constitutionally protected, and courts considering punishments for exercise of that right should weigh the public interest in obtaining information against competing interests. The groups urged the Court to grant Mr.

Urging the U.S. Supreme Court to find that a state law on conflicts of interest by state officials should not be viewed as a First Amendment-protected restriction of speech.

Elena Kagan has worked on free-speech and free-press issues more than any recent high court nominee, but her writings tend to explore the underpinnings of current doctrines and standards, rather than argue for or against any particular approach. She has also expressed skepticism with how workable the “actual malice” libel standard and a reporter’s privilege are, and whether those standards need to be reworked.

Asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review federal rules prohibiting in-person interviews with death row inmates and prohibiting them from discussing other inmates.