Trainings
The Reporters Committee regularly offers free trainings for journalists and newsrooms on a wide range of legal and First Amendment topics. To schedule a training for your newsroom, contact us at training@rcfp.org.
Introduction to RCFP & Our Legal Resources
An overview of RCFP’s resources for journalists, including our legal hotline and Local Legal Initiative. This introduction touches on pre-publication review, court access, public records and open meetings laws, FOIA, reporter’s privilege, recording laws, and other First Amendment and media law issues.
Gathering the News Safely and Legally
A primer on journalists’ legal rights and responsibilities, covering trespass, the right to record, reporter’s privilege, and safety tips for investigative journalism.
Covering Protests, Riots, and Civil Unrest
A practical guide to the legal issues journalists face when covering protests and mass demonstrations. Topics include the right to record, best practices for safe reporting, strategies for avoiding arrest, and steps to take if arrested.
Vetting Your Content: Reducing Libel, Privacy, and Related Risks
An introduction to pre-publication review, fact-checking, and the vetting process. Covers libel and privacy law and strategies for mitigating legal risk.
Gathering Your Content, Part I: Access to Public Records
An introduction to the federal Freedom of Information Act and state public records laws. Covers the types of records available, common exemptions, how to submit records requests, and key resources.
Gathering Your Content, Part II: Access to Courts and Public Places
A guide to accessing court proceedings and records, including what is publicly available and how to obtain it. Also addresses common legal issues that arise while newsgathering and how to navigate them.
Primer on Election Access Laws
An overview of the legal landscape for journalists covering elections, with a focus on key battleground states. Topics include exit polling, newsgathering at polling places and ballot-counting centers, and access to ballots, voter registration data, and other election records.