Are journalists protected by the First Amendment?

The First Amendment protects both the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Journalists have a right to access public places to gather and disseminate news. Public places include sidewalks and public parks, but not private property.

Are journalists guaranteed legal protection from having to give up their notes or testify?

A shield law is legislation designed to protect reporters’ privilege. This privilege involves the right of news reporters to refuse to testify as to the information and/or sources of information obtained during the news gathering and dissemination process.

Why do journalists resist subpoenas?

When reporters challenge subpoenas, they argue that they must be able to promise confidentiality in order to obtain information on matters of public importance. Most journalists feel an obligation to protect their confidential sources even if threatened with jail time.

What are the rights of a journalist?

Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Journalists

• To respect truth whatever be the consequence to himself, because of the right of the public to know the truth ;
• To defend freedom of information, comment and criticism;

What kind of things are not protected by freedom of the press?

Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial …

What does freedom of the press not protect?

Obscenity. Fighting words. Defamation (including libel and slander) Child pornography.

Are journalists protected?

Some states have enacted shield laws to protect a reporter’s source. Yet another option is a statutory protection that gives journalists privilege against forced production of confidential or unpublished information. Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have enacted such statutes, called shield laws.

What laws protect journalists?

shield law
shield law, in the United States, any law that protects journalists against the compelled disclosure of confidential information, including the identities of their sources, or the forced surrender of unpublished written material collected during news gathering, such as notes.

How are journalists protected?

Roughly 30 states have passed statutes, called shield laws, allowing journalists to refuse to disclose or testify about confidential or unpublished information, including the identity of sources. The statutes vary significantly from state to state in the scope of their protections.