First Amendment News

To make effective use of social networks in journalism, a Belgian internet expert suggests spreading a wide net and engaging contacts with questions leading to genuine conversations. -DB MediaShift Commentary June 1 2009 By Roland Legrand Online social networks are essential tools for journalists. They make it possible to build extended networks, search for story ideas, build contacts and dig up information. But even more important, they help to shake up the relationship between the

The Los Angeles County District Attorney has warned the La Habra Heights mayor that an e-mail he sent to the city attorney could result in a violation of the state open government law. The e-mail urged that action be taken on an issue concerning a new home without public comment “if possible.” -DB Whittier Daily News June 1, 2009 By Mike Sprague LA HABRA HEIGHTS – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has sent

The Pacific Legal Foundation won a case against the Novato Unified School District concerning a student’s free press rights but lost the battle over legal fees, recovering only about one third of the fees they requested. -DB Marin Independent Journal May 31, 2009 By Gary Klien A state appeals court has ruled in favor of the Novato Unified School District in a dispute over legal fees in a student journalist’s lawsuit. The 1st Appellate District

The costs of keeping government secrets has escalated in recent years, now around $10 billion a year. But the specific classification costs for specific agencies, the CIA chief among them, are not revealed to the public. -DB Secrecy News Federation of American Scientists June 1, 2009 Following sharp increases in the first several years after 9/11, the total estimated costs of implementing the national security classification system seem to have leveled off at around $10