Bulletin

Bulletin: Fall 2012: Volume 18, No. 1

Leveson Inquiry Report Calls for New System of Press Regulation in United Kingdom

Cover Story

On Nov. 29, 2012, Lord Justice Brian Leveson released his 1,987-page report of findings and recommendations stemming from his 17-month inquiry into the culture, practices, and ethics of the United Kingdom press. Continue reading

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Citizens-Only Limitations on Virginia Open Records Requests

FOIA

In October 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear a challenge to a Virginia law limiting open records requests to state citizens in McBurney v. Young. Continue reading

Copyright Cases Around the Country Address Illegal Downloading, the Sale of Foreign-Made Works in the U.S., and the Aggregation of Online Listings

Copyright

New technology continues to test copyright law in courts across the United States. Continue reading

State Limits on Campaign Contributions Remain in Effect for 2012 Election Season; Voters Call for Amendment to Overturn Citizens United

Campaign Finance

Despite the Supreme Court of the United States’ 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), holding that it is a violation of the First Amendment to suppress corporate campaign spending, several state limits on campaign finances have been upheld by federal appellate courts, and the Supreme Court has declined to weigh in. Continue reading

Courts Struggle to Balance Privacy and Transparency Interests in Recent FERPA Case

FERPA

Recent court decisions highlight the tension between open records laws and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Continue reading

Minnesota Courts Address Defamation Claims Stemming from Blog Posts and Online Reviews

Defamation

Novel questions about the First Amendment and the law of defamation related to speech individuals post online have come before Minnesota courts in recent months. Continue reading

New FCC Rule on Disclosure of Political Advertising Follows 2012 Election Spending

FCC

A new rule from the Federal Communications Commission changed the requirements for how broadcasters must disclose political ads purchased at their stations during the 2012 election cycle. Continue reading

Social Media Policies Threaten Employee Privacy

Privacy

Although Federal legislation aimed at regulating the relationship between employers, employees, and social media failed in March 2012, the push for rules protecting employee privacy continues. Continue reading

Published Photos of Arguably Private Moments Raise Questions About Whether Media Acted Ethically

Media Ethics

A recent string of moments captured by photographers has renewed familiar questions about the ethical decision-making process behind the press’s decision to publish intimate, sometimes graphic photographs. Continue reading

Silha Lecture Features Experts on the Ethics and Craft of Writing Restaurant Reviews

Silha Center Events

An outing to an upscale New York seafood restaurant awakened Lynne Rossetto Kasper, moderator of the 27th annual Silha Lecture, author and host of American Public Media’s “The Splendid Table,” to changes in the world of restaurant reviews. Continue reading