Article Abstract:
Governments can impose reasonable restrictions on the access to public forums and to qualify as reasonable these must be neutral, narrowly tailored to serve significant government interests and leaving alternative channels of communication open. The US Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether reporters have the right to follow news onto private property, and lower court rulings on the issue have had varying opinions. Case law makes clear that the police can restrict press access to public or private property when they believe it is necessary for public safety, and the First Amendment gives no immunity from criminal penalties for disobeying these orders.
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Article Abstract:
The US General Services Administration has revised policies that had been interpreted as restricting media access to federal buildings. Reporters had difficulty gaining access to the federal building in Rochester, NY. The policy had been that members of the media must be accompanied by agency representatives. The policy has since been revised to limit its application to photographers and camera crews. Both policies are based on concerns that photographing of security cameras and equipment will compromise the safety of employees and visitors.
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Article Abstract:
Courts and law-makers have addressed issues of media access to prisoners in recent cases and bills. Two federal appellate decisions upheld limitations on phone calls and postage stamp possession and usage in Alabama and Florida, respectively. The Arizona Supreme Court upheld a policy that excluded the media from categories approved to visit prisoners. California and Pennsylvania have restrictions on access in place. A bill is being introduced in California to improve access, but a similar bill was voted down in Virginia.
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