Journalism
For additional assistance, contact Mary Feeney
Law of the Press
General sources Reporters' Rights First Amendment/Freedom of Speech Freedom of Information/Open Government International Media Law Public Records Intellectual Property Defamation
General sources of interest to journalists
The Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press
Non-profit organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to journalists. Contains news media updates and “quick links” to a collection of recent media law news from other sources. Some back issues of their quarterly magazine, The News Media and the Law, are available on their site at http://www.rcfp.org/news/mag/index.php.
Communication and Media Law Resources (University of Iowa)
Contains links to internet resources of media law including issues of free access, privacy, censorship, and searching for media law resources and cases.
Media Law: Online Resource Guide and Bibliography of Resources (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)
[Note that the UA Library may not have access to all the database and book resources listed.]
Freedom Forum
Foundation that focuses on the Newseum, the First Amendment, and newsroom diversity, their site contains articles related to free press and free speech, including a Supreme Court case tracker.
Federal Communications Commission Homepage
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. Contains recent headlines and press releases from the FCC as well as articles about the Freedom of Information Act, statistical reports and rules and regulations.
United States Courts Homepage
Electronic access to courts including judiciary privacy policy page. Also links “search the courts” page that allows user to search by court type and location.
United States Copyright Office
Includes information on how to record a document as well as information on copyright law and policy.
Federal Communications Law Journal
The official journal for the Federal Communications Bar Association. Often features full-text articles by comminsioners in the FCC as well as members of Congress. Contains links to archived volumes of full-text articles, book reviews and commentaries focusing on communications issues.
Media and Arts Law Review
Quarterly, refereed journal containing recent publications and full-text articles examining all areas of media and arts law.
Reporters’ Rights
Media Law Resource Center (MLRC)
“Non-profit information clearinghouse originally organized...to monitor developments and promote First Amendment rights in the libel, privacy and related legal fields.” The “Public Resources” section of the site is open to non-members and includes information like Libel FAQs, the MLRC Bulletin, and links to other Web sites related to Freedom of the Press.
Committee to Protect Journalists
CPJ is an “independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending press freedom worldwide.” The site provides news about threats to press freedom and documents cases of attacks on the press, violations of press freedom, and journalists killed.
Society of Professional Journalists: Federal Shield Law
Articles and links to other information about efforts to pass a federal shield law for journalists.
First Amendment/Freedom of Speech
First Amendment Center
From the Freedom Forum, includes State of the First Amendment reports, daily First Amendment news, First Amendment Library with court cases, overviews and research about First Amendment freedoms like Freedom of the Press, and more.
Society of Professional Journalists: First Amendment
Includes a Reading Room with articles about the First Amendment and more.
Freedom of Speech in the United States
Includes links to court decisions and other documents related to freedom of speech.
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression
Annually awards the Jefferson Muzzles, "to draw national attention to abridgments of free speech and press."
Freedom of Information/Open Government
Freedom of Information
From the Society of Professional Journalists’ Web site, this section provides “resources for journalists and the public on issues involving access to government records and activities of freedom of information education.”
Sunshine Week - Open Government Web sites
Sunshine Week is an initiative that focuses on the importance of freedom of information and open government. This part of their site links to Web sites about Freedom of Information and open government issues.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Guide
From the Department of Justice.
Annual FOIA Reports
Annual FOIA reports submitted by federal agencies and departments. Includes reports back to 1998.
FOIA: Federal Agencies' FOIA Web sites
Links to federal agencies' FOIA Web sites
National Freedom of Information Coalition - State & Federal Resources
Guide to open meetings and open records laws. Also see Tapping Officials’ Secrets in the Public Records section below.
Society of Environmental Journalists: Freedom of Information
Includes the WatchDog TipSheet ("focuses on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists"), links to other Web resources, news, and more.
Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation: Freedom of Information
Court cases and other information related to radio and television news broadcasting & freedom of information.
FOI News from The Associated Press
AP news related to Freedom of Information and media access.
The National Security Archive
From George Washington University, "the Archive collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act...[and] serves as a repository of government records on a wide range of topics."
Open Secrets.org
Site to help you track campaign finance.
Access Reports
A site that provides news about freedom of information and privacy issues.
Media Law Around the World
European Media Landscape
Contains information about the media in several countries in Europe. It gives an overview of the press, main features of media policies, professional organizations, and recent media developments.
International Journalists Network: Electronic Collection of Media Laws from Countries Around the Globe
IJNet’s Media Law Library is an electronic collection of media laws from countries around the world. Users can search for laws by terms, country or category.
Public Records & Open Meetings
See the Public Records guide from the UA Journalism Librarian, including links to Tapping Officials’ Secrets, which lists each state’s open records and open meetings laws.
Intellectual Property
Chilling Effects Clearinghouse
Sponsored by the Electronic Frontiers Foundations and various law school clinics, this site "aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities."
Kuester Law
Comprehensive online resource for technology law information including patent, copyright and trademark law
Trademark Laws
Search for referenced statutes for federal, state and international trademark laws.
World Intellectual Property
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of works. Covers issues of trademarks, copyright and related rights, emerging issues and news, intellectual property digital library and a collection of laws for electronic access.
Advertising Law
This comprehensive site contains resources on Intellectual Property law; governing the use of trademarks and copyrights.
Defamation: Slander/Libel Elements and Defenses
International Federation of Journalists Decriminalizing Defamation Site
Contains resources on definitions and background information of the issue, recent defamation cases around the world, and links to useful defamation texts and websites.