Article Abstract:
The California Supreme Court held in Briggs v. Eden Council for Hope & Opportunity that the state's Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) statute applies to all statements made during official proceedings and does not require a showing that the speech was connected to a public issue. The law was enacted to protect individuals against defamation lawsuits aimed at discouraging people from speaking out on public issues. The law protected a tenants' rights group from a landlord's defamation claim because the statements at issue were made in connection with a civil court proceedings and hearings before HUD.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in Hayes v. Newspapers of New Hampshire, Inc. that the fair report privilege does apply in New Hampshire to news reporting on official proceedings. The newspaper had reported on discussions at a public meeting on the misconduct of members of a particular family. The plaintiff argued that the state had not and should not recognize the fair report privilege as a defense to libel charges. The Supreme Court did and remanded to the trial court to determine whether the privilege applied.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
A state-by-state guide to laws governing media access to juvenile court proceedings covers topics such as transfer hearings, access to juvenile court records, the consequences of revealing a juvenile's identity, and the use of cameras in juvenile court. Federal offenses by minors under the Juvenile Delinquency Act are also covered in the guide.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: