Paparazzo claims Lindsay Lohan’s chauffeur ran over him

A paparazzo is suing Lindsay Lohan for running over him in a chauffeur-driven vehicle in 2010. -db From the Courthouse News Service, January 11, 2012.  Full story    

Proposals for Greater Media Access Released for Public Comment

A California report with a series of proposals to improve media and public access to court records and state proceedings has been released for “public comment” by the Judicial Council. First Amendment Coalition September 22, 2010 By Susana Montes The draft report includes 11 recommendations from the Bench-Bar-Media Committee, appointed by the California Supreme Court. [...]

U.S. judges agree to pilot study of cameras in court

The nation’s federal judges agreed yesterday to a pilot project that could televise some civil trials — 16 years after the judges ended a similar experiment. September 15, 2010 By The Associated Press WASHINGTON —Appeals court judge David Sentelle told reporters that many of the details remained to be worked out, but that cameras could [...]

Newspaper gets records detailing remote Idaho shootout

Public records recently obtained by the Post Register detail a strange incident in which four Idaho State Police officers were left scrambling for safety when they were shot at by an unknown assailant at a remote mining claim. September 6, 2010 By The Associated Press IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — No one was hit by the [...]

Judge bars LA Times from publishing photos

A judge took the unusual and possibly unconstitutional step of barring a Los Angeles Times photographer from publishing images she allowed him to snap at a hearing for a man charged with murdering a Hollywood family. News August 5, 2010 By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES— Lawyers for the Times planned to ask the judge [...]

Wall Street Journal reporter handcuffed at courthouse

A Wall Street Journal reporter was handcuffed and carted away today after repeatedly ignoring a U.S. marshal’s request to leave Sam Adam Sr. alone as the veteran attorney tried to exit the federal courthouse. Chicago Breaking News Center July 21, 2010 By Stacie St. Clair Doug Belkin was outside the boundaries dedicated for media interviews [...]

A&A: When Can A Newspaper Publish Documents Meant To Be Private?

Q: I’m a freelance writer pursuing a story about another publication, but I’m concerned because much of the info we have consists of leaked internal company documents from a disgruntled ex-employee (a notice of tax lien, e-mails, bill collection notices). This is a private company, not a public or governmental entity, so I have no [...]

States move to exclude 911 recordings from public record

Noting a trend to keep 911 records from the public, Citizen Media Law Project blogger Justin Silverman argues that there is a compelling public interest in allowing access to the records in the interest of shining light on the performance of public safety officers . He says laws can guarantee access and still protect the [...]

Online California state records vanishing at alarming rate

With almost 90 percent of California state publications online with no print counterpart, it is clear that any of these records are disappearing regularly, and there is no legal requirement for the executive branch of state government to preserve the information. -DB Cal Watchdog Commentary January 14, 2010 By Anthony Pignataro If there’s one thing [...]

Media law non-profit offers updated guide for newsgathering at polls

The Citizen Media Law Project is offering online its updated guide on laws regarding newsgathering at the polls. -DB Citizen Media Law Project October 28, 2009 By Sam Bayard Voters head to the polls again on November 3 to cast their ballots in mayoral [1], city council [2], and even a handful of gubernatorial [3] [...]