MediaLawLetter July 2006

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MLRC

MLRC Examines Complaints Filed Against News Media in 2005

MLRC Issues Supreme Court Report

Legislative: Broadcast Indecency Bills

Ethics: Conflict Waiver Letters

NEWSGATHERING

Cal.: California Protects Phone Call Participants In California
From Unconsented Out-Of-State Recordings
Kearney v. Salomon Smith Barney

6th Cir.: Sixth Circuit Rules News Boycott Lawsuit Moot
New Mayor Ended Boycott of Publisher
Youngstown Publishing Company v. McKelvey

REPORTERS PRIVILEGE

10th Cir.: Federal Magistrate Rules Tenth Circuit Recognizes
Reporter’s Privilege Even for Non-Confidential Sources
Allianz Life Ins. Co. v. Richards et al

N.D. Ill.: McKevitt Applied to Quash Journalist Subpoena
Subpoena Both Overbroad and Burdensome
Bond v. Utreras

LIBEL & PRIVACY

W.D. Tex.: Texas Federal Court Dismisses Internet Libel Suit
“Single Publication” Rule Applies to Websites
Hamad v. Center for the Study of Popular Culture, et al.

Ind.: Indiana Supreme Court Will Not Review $235,000 Libel Verdict Against Local Paper
Daily Clintonian v. Shepard

Pa. Com. Pl.: Philadelphia Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Website Operator
Dumpfumo.com Protected by Communications Decency Act
D’Alonzo v. Truscello

Tex. Dist. Ct.: Jury Declines to Award Damages to “Girls Gone Wild” Plaintiffs
Consent Valid Although Plaintiffs Were Minors
Lowry v. Hastings Entertainment, Inc.

N.Y. Sup. Ct.: Single Publication Rule Applied to Members Only Website
Rare 1 Corp. v. Moshe Zwiebel Diamond Corp.

N.M. Dist. Ct.: Criminal Libel Defendant Acquitted of Other Charges
State v. Mata

ACCESS/ FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

6th Cir.: Sixth Circuit Dismisses Challenge to Closure of Juvenile Court
Press Challenge Not Ripe
Ky. Press Ass’n v. Kentucky

Fla. Cir. Ct.: Florida Judge Orders Release Of Statement And Surveillance Tape In Florida Murder Trial
Statement Was Not The “Substance Of A Confession”
State of Florida v. Smith

Fla. Cir. Ct.: Florida Judge Grants Access To Child Protection Records After Teen’s Tragic Death
Applied “Good Cause” Standard

Fla.: Florida Supreme Court Extends Temporary Moratorium On Internet Access To Records
Agrees To Develop Permanent Statewide System

SUPREME COURT

U.S.: Roberts Court Strikes Down Campaign Expenditure and Contribution Limits
First Time Contribution Limits Have Been Struck Down As Too Low
Randall v. Sorrell

JURISDICTION

9th Cir.: No Jurisdiction in California Over British Website Without “Something More”
Noninteractive Website Insufficient Under “Effects Test”
Pebble Beach Company v. Caddy

INTERNATIONAL

Ireland: Recent Developments in Ireland
New Bills on Defamation and Privacy

NEWS AND UPDATES

Congress: Update on Federal Shield Law

Congress: Net Neutrality Debate Heats Up