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Jake Wunsch

Proposed 2024 legislation would penalize use of anonymous sources and codify the ability of defamation plaintiffs to sue anywhere in the state for speech posted online.

Dec 2023

Another Unconstitutional Defamation Bill Proposed in Florida

Proposed 2024 legislation would penalize use of anonymous sources and codify the ability of defamation plaintiffs to sue anywhere in the state for speech posted online.

Dec 2023

Federal Court Dismisses Copyright Lawsuit Against Friends, Sex and the City, Other Shows

The Court found that no lay observer could find any substantial similarities between the protectible material of Lee’s work and the four shows.

Dec 2023

Why MLRC Filed an Amicus Brief at the Supreme Court

The NetChoice cases could be as fundamental to the future of online discourse as Times v. Sullivan has been to journalism.

Nov 2023

“Unsubstantiated” Complaints About Police Are Not Categorically Exempt from FOIL Disclosure

New York’s Second Department held that police disciplinary records, formerly shielded from public disclosure under the now-repealed Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, are not categorically exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law’s privacy exemption.

Nov 2023

Defamation Action Against The National Enquirer Dismissed on Summary Judgment

After more than three years of litigation with three successive law firms, talent manager Michael Sanchez’s defamation action against the National Enquirer was dismissed on summary judgment in August by Judge Dolly Gee. Yet it was not until October that the storied lawsuit was officially over.

Nov 2023

Florida Court Throws Out Heart Surgeon’s Defamation Suit Against CNN

“It is disingenuous and anomalous on the part of Dr. Black and St. Mary’s to say on the one hand that CNN should be held liable for failing to report risk adjusted data, and on the other hand to deny CNN access to that very same data,” Senior Judge Richard Oftedal wrote in the decision.

Nov 2023

Nevada’s Shield Law Protects Murdered Journalist’s Phone and Computer

The court also ruled, for the first time, that the reporter’s privilege survives the death of the reporter who gathered the information, finding that to hold otherwise would “be directly contrary to the statute’s purpose.”

Nov 2023

Santa’s Gift List for Media Players Naughty & Nice

MLRC Executive Director dons his santa cap to dispense helpful gifts to the major newsmakers of 2023.

Nov 2023

Ten Questions to a Media Lawyer

Shullman Fugate partner on her beginnings in media law, memorable cases, taste in podcasts, and what people get wrong about Floridians.

Nov 2023

Bakersfield Californian v. Superior Court of Kern County: After an Unsuccessful Criminal Subpoena Challenge, Depublication of the Court of Appeal’s Decision is Sought

This article summarizes why the unique facts of this case render the opinion an inappropriate precedent that endangers journalists and publishers in future Shield Law situations.