Newsgathering
First Amendment Lawsuit Forces Jail Policy Changes, Prompts National Call to Action
Paula Knudsen BurkeA journalist’s First Amendment lawsuit against a county in western Pennsylvania has resulted in a settlement agreement requiring local officials to revise policies that prevent jail employees from speaking publicly without the warden’s permission.
Media Rallies to Support Citizen Journalist in SCOTUS Qualified Immunity Case
Jeffrey J. PyleMore than thirty journalists and media organizations filed amicus briefs in support of Priscilla Villarreal, a citizen journalist who was arrested for requesting and reporting truthful information from a police officer.
Lawsuit Over Alleged CIA Spying on Assange Visitors May Proceed in Part
Matt KristoffersenFour Americans may now proceed with their lawsuit against the Central Intelligence Agency for allegedly copying data from their devices while visiting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
Journalists’ Civil Rights Claims for Abuses During George Floyd and Daunte Wright Protests Can Go to Trial
Isabella Salomão Nascimento, Pari McGarraugh, and Kevin RiachAll told, the Court’s decision is an unqualified victory for Plaintiffs in this case, their fellow journalist colleagues, and the First Amendment writ large.
Federal Court Holds that Incidental Capture of Photos in Background of Documentary Film is Fair Use
Adam Rich and Samuel BayardThis decision will be helpful to documentary filmmakers who incidentally capture copyrighted works while documenting actions and events that are of legitimate public concern.
Iowa Journalist Can Proceed with Suit Against Officer Who Arrested Him, Eighth Circuit Decides
Matt Kristoffersen“Once Officer Holtan was aware Nieters was a member of the press and had no reason to believe Nieters had been within hearing distance of the orders to disperse,” the opinion states, “it certainly was not an ‘objectively reasonable’ mistake to believe probable cause existed for the arrest.”
Fifth Circuit Holds Texas Drone Regulation Law to Be Constitutional
Alicia Wagner CalzadaA recent drone journalism opinion out of the Fifth Circuit could have negative implications for years to come, beyond the issues in the case itself.
Journalist Who Fled Mexico After 2008 Death Threats Finally Granted Asylum
Chuck Tobin and Steve ZansbergThe tribunal noted that “journalists in Mexico are sometimes subject to physical attacks, harassment, and intimidation due to their reporting, making Mexico one of the most dangerous places in the world, outside war zones, for journalists.”
Arizona Law Banning Video Recording of Police Ruled Unconstitutional
Matthew E. KelleyRuling in favor of a coalition of news organizations, a federal judge has struck down an Arizona statute that would have made it a crime to record video of police within eight feet of them after being warned to stop.
Daniel Ellsberg: A Personal Remembrance of an American Hero
George FreemanThough in our volatile and combative times, many journalists – and their sources – are exceptionally courageous, and often sacrifice their well-being for their profession and causes, Ellsberg was the unequaled model for such behavior.