Chicago Sun-Times abandons political endorsements

In a recognition of its waning influence, the Chicago Sun-Times has decided to stop endorsing political candidates. As reasons for the move, it also says it wants to allow readers to decide for themselves and that it wants to appear nonpartisan. -db From The Atlantic Wire, January 23, 2-12, by Dino Grandoni. Full story  

News media establish company to protect content

Twenty-nine news companies are forming NewsRight, a for-profit enterprise, to protect copyrighted content and to seek fees in cases of unauthorized use of content. NewsRight intends to avoid the errors of Righthaven, the so-called copyright troll, who suffered devastating defeats in the courts caused by its shoddy practices. -db From MediaPost, January 5, 2012, by [...]

‘Tough sheriff’ takes pounding before federal appeals court in newspaper case

In a suit alleging that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio arrested two Phoenix newspaper executives on false charges in retaliation for unflattering coverage in the newspapers, Arpaio’s lawyer came under tough questioning. One of the key questions is whether the sheriff himself authorized the arrest of the publishers under subpoenas which  were never approved by [...]

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 [...]

D.C. judge lifts gag order against legal newspaper

A judge has lifted an order that prevented a legal newspaper from publishing information found in court records that were supposed to have been shielded from public view. News August 2, 2010 By The Associated Press and First Amendment Center Online Staff WASHINGTON —The Internet blog of the National Law Journal reported on July 30 [...]

Judge rescinds order for 2 Pennsylvania newspapers to delete archives

Two newspapers in Philadelphia are no longer under court order to delete news articles of about 41 clients of a State College lawyer. -SMD The Philadelphia Inquirer News July 8, 2010 By Emilie Lounsberry A First Amendment flap in central Pennsylvania was resolved Wednesday when a judge said two local newspapers were no longer under [...]

The new social media: Chats with readers can yield insights

The key to engaging the public in the news media in the information age could be to use the Socratic method in discussing important issues says a Belgian editor. -DB MediaShift September 22, 2009 By Roland Legrand How can you unlock the creativity and insights of your community? Well, you can give community members a [...]