Legal Guides
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Bodycam, dashcam videos offer new details about what led to fatal police shooting in Pennsylvania
WKBN obtained the recordings after successfully suing the PA State Police with free legal help from an RCFP attorney.Categorized in Freedom of information
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NYPD records show pattern of officer misconduct related to domestic violence, THE CITY reports
THE CITY, co-represented by RCFP attorneys, obtained the records after a lengthy legal battle.By Emily VespaCategorized in Freedom of information
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Newly obtained records undermine RFK Jr. testimony to Congress, The Guardian and AP report
“Thank you to the Reporters Committee for helping us shine a light.”Categorized in Freedom of information
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Palmer v. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Watch is suing the Oklahoma City Police Department for access to an incident report.By Chris YoungCategorized in Freedom of information -
RCFP statement on FBI’s newly unsealed justification for seizing reporter’s electronic devices
“The government appears to have ignored a crucial press freedom guardrail in searching a journalist's home.”Categorized in Protecting sources and materials
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RCFP statement on arrests of journalists Don Lemon, Georgia Fort
"It's obviously concerning any time journalists are arrested in connection with their reporting."Categorized in First Amendment
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Is Trump the most anti-press president in US history? We asked the guy who wrote the book on the subject.
We spoke with historian Harold Holzer to get some historical perspective on President Trump's relationship with the press.By Chris YoungCategorized in History
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RCFP urges Maryland lawmakers to pass anti-SLAPP bill
The bill would allow courts to quickly weed out meritless lawsuits intended to chill speech about matters of public interest.By Chris YoungCategorized in Libel and privacy
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Oklahoma education agency settles public records dispute with Oklahoma Watch
Represented by an RCFP attorney, OK Watch sued for records related to the resignation of a senior education official.Categorized in Education
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Unsealed records shed light on Trump administration’s targeting of noncitizen students, faculty for protected speech
RCFP attorneys co-represented The Intercept and The Center for Investigative Reporting in a successful effort to make the records public.Categorized in First Amendment
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Guía Legal para Reportajes de Inmigración
Esta guía de RCFP explica los asuntos legales que periodistas podrán enfrentar al cubrir la deportación y la aplicación de…Categorized in Immigration
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Immigration Reporting Legal Guide
This RCFP guide helps journalists understand legal issues they may encounter while reporting on immigration enforcement and deportation.Categorized in Immigration
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Reporter’s Recording Guide
This guide covers state laws governing the recording of phone calls and in-person conversations and how those laws affect newsgathering.By Jenn TopperCategorized in Newsgathering
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Anti-SLAPP Legal Guide
This guide details each state’s laws, if any, preventing strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).Categorized in Policy
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Reporter’s Privilege Compendium
This compendium details the reporter’s privilege in each state and federal circuit.Categorized in Protecting sources and materials
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Open Government Guide
This guide is a complete compendium of information on every state’s open records and open meetings laws.Categorized in Freedom of information
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Open Courts Compendium
This is a general guide to court access issues, with additional information for each state and federal circuit.Categorized in Court access
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