Legal Guides
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The Weakley County Examiner v. Cupples
The Weakley County Examiner is suing a Tennessee school district for settlement records.Categorized in Education -
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In re application of The New York Times & Reporters Committee to unseal judicial records ancillary to grand jury subpoena of Matthew Cole
RCFP is seeking to unseal judicial records related to a freelance reporter's motion to quash a grand jury subpoena.Categorized in Protecting sources and materials -
Reporters Committee condemns Louisiana courtroom closure, handcuffing of journalist during grand jury indictment
The actions “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public to access court proceedings.”Categorized in Court access
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United States v. Lemon
The district court should dismiss charges against independent journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon.Categorized in First Amendment -
Federal court should dismiss charges against independent journalists Georgia Fort, Don Lemon
If the charges are upheld, federal officials would gain a powerful tool to suppress news reporting in the public interest.Categorized in First Amendment
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Reporters Committee’s free Legal Hotline helps journalist investigate abuse, neglect in New Hampshire’s disability care system
New Hampshire Bulletin reporter William Skipworth’s reporting recently won awards and sparked legislative reforms in the state.By Emily VespaCategorized in Health
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Police bodycam footage in Colorado exposes ‘egregious’ misconduct
A Reporters Committee attorney helped Blue Surveillance obtain video documenting an officer holding a gun to an unarmed man’s head.Categorized in Policing and corrections
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The Lens v. Mahfouz
The Lens is suing a Louisiana agency for unlawfully withholding its agreement with ICE to house immigration detainees.Categorized in Immigration -
Reporters Committee reviews Todd Blanche’s record on government transparency, leak investigations
National security leak cases are becoming a hallmark of the DOJ during Blanche’s tenure.Categorized in Special Analysis
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Why I’m representing a media coalition raising concerns about the Public Access Counselor’s ‘pattern of inaction’
When news media organizations band together, they can wage powerful fights for transparency.By Kris CundiffCategorized in Freedom of information
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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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