Freedom of Information
This law allows citizens to request access to government records.
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Journalists should SEEK this when reporting stories.
What is truth?
This privilege allows journalists to report on official government proceedings without being sued for defamation.
What is the fair report privilege?
This ensures that courtrooms are open to the public and the press.
What are open courtrooms?
Defamation through written or published material.
What is libel?
This level of government must comply to the FOIA.
What is the executive branch of the federal government, like Cabinet agencies, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, and government-owned corporations.
Journalists should MINIMIZE this while pursuing stories.
What is harm?
This privilege protects journalists’ opinions from being sued as libel.
What is the opinion privilege?
This ensures transparency of government decision-making processes.
What are open meetings?
Defamation through spoken words.
What is slander?
These government entities are not covered by FOIA.
Who are the President, Congress, courts, and state and local governments?
Journalists should ACT this way when conducting themselves professionally.
What is independently?
This protects journalists from liability for honest criticism of public performances, politicians, or services.
What is the fair comment and criticism privilege?
This ensures access to documents and records held by the government.
What are open records?
Refusing to tell a judge the source of material that you reported on.
What is contempt of court?
These types of records can be requested under FOIA.
What are agency records, documents, reports, emails, films, photographs, sound recordings, and other materials related to government activities?
Journalists should ADMIT these when they happen.
What are mistakes?
A federal law that protects journalists from work searches and seizures, unless they are suspected to be involved with the crime.
What is the Privacy Protection Act?
A Supreme Court case protecting student free speech in schools.
What is Tinker v. Des Moines?
Using vulgar language or publishing lewd information for no apparent reason.
What is bad taste?
Massachusetts law governing access to state public records.
What is the Massachusetts Public Records Law?
Journalists should REFUSE these to avoid conflicts of interest when covering a story.
What are gifts and special treatment?
Laws that protect journalists from being forced to reveal notes and sources.
What are shield laws?
A case limiting school newspapers' freedom of speech.
What is Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier?
Deceiving or betraying the confidence of those who provide information for a story.
What is burning a source?