By Lena Williams, Guild-CWA :: An international coalition of journalists, media organizations and unions has adopted an agenda making freedom of the press a priority in the global development goals set by the United Nations and its member states. During a three-day conference in Bali, Indonesia, in late August, the Global Media Forum approved a […]
By Lena Williams, Guild-CWA :: Does Illinois’ shield law protect a reporters’ sources and notes or not? It appears to depend on which judge you draw, which has been bad news for Patch.com reporter and editor Joseph Hosey, a past Guild member. The shield law creates a “qualified” privilege for journalists, but it’s up to […]
By Lena Williams, Guild-CWA :: State courts in Iowa and Wyoming this month have upheld the media’s right to open court proceedings and to photograph court cases. The rulings, though local in scope, are major First Amendment victories for journalists and media organizations. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Aug. 12 that an Eighth Judicial Court […]
Citizens and Journalists Have the Right to Record You, Memo States By Lena Williams, Guild-CWA :: The NYPD has issued an internal memo that firmly reminds New York City police officers that the public is legally allowed to record officers and police activity. “Intentional interference such as blocking or obstructing cameras or ordering the person […]
By Lena Williams, Guild-CWA :: President Obama criticized Thursday the arrests of two journalists by police in Ferguson, Mo., and called for an “open and transparent” investigation into last weekend’s shooting death of an unarmed 18-year-old black man by a white Ferguson police officer. The president spoke out in response to the growing violence in […]