The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press

Essay by James C. Goodale on court cases in which First Amendment rights have been upheld, allowing the press to pursue its mission. Goodale served as general counsel to The New York Times when the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Times could continue
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itdhr/0297/ijde/goodale.htm

Can We Tape?

State-by-state guide to the laws governing recording conversations over the telephone, cellular and cordless phones, hidden cameras, obtaining consent, possession and publication of illegal tapes, and interstate calls.
http://www.rcfp.org/taping/index.html

Confidential Sources and Information

Articles explain reporter's privilege, federal law, subpoena guidelines, jail terms for uncooperative reporters. State-by-state rundown of applicable laws, including the 19 states that do not have shield laws. FAQ.
http://www.rcfp.org/csi

Freedom of Information Act

Issues, laws, links, and other resources to help journalists get information from state and national governments.
http://spj.org/foia

Freedom of Information Center

How to search public records, how to file an FOIA request, current issues and news about freedom of the press, international media law, federal and state cases, links to other groups. Based at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
http://www.missouri.edu/~foiwww/index.html

Tapping Officials' Secrets

Comprehensive state-by-state guides to open records and open meetings laws.
http://www.rcfp.org/tapping/index.cgi

Media Law Resource Center

Extensive annotated bibliography of legal cases, scholarly papers, and articles concerning First Amendment and intellectual property Internet law issues. The 200 court cases are explained succinctly. Also includes many citations from the print media.
http://www.ldrc.com/

First Amendment Foundation

Non-profit organization which seeks to provide authoritative information, expertise, and assistance to the public and news media. Site provides directory of services and membership information.
http://www.floridafaf.org/

The Freedom of Information Center at the University of Missouri

Comprehensive guide to media law with links to state resources and current news stories.
http://foi.missouri.edu/

RCFP First Amendment Handbook

Contains a fount of information on the application of the First Amendment to such issues as access to the courts, gag orders, access to places, freedom of information and libel. Published by the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press.
http://www.rcfp.org/handbook/viewpage.cgi

Homefront Confidential

Explores how the War on Terrorism affects access to information and the public's right to know. Published by the Reporter's Committee for a Free Press.
http://www.rcfp.org/homefrontconfidential/

How to Use the Federal FOI Act

Do-it-yourselfers guide to how to use the Act as an effective investigative tool and provides sample letters, forms and directories to assist individuals in dealing with the government promptly and effectively.
http://www.rcfp.org/foiact/index.html

Barbara Croll Fought

An associate professor of communications law at Syracuse University, Fought provides a list of books, periodicals, telephone hotlines, and Internet mailing lists related to the Freedom of Information Act.
http://web.syr.edu/~bcfought/

First Amendment Center

Offers one-stop access to information about the First Amendment. Useful for students, teachers, journalists, lawyers and the general public.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

Answers queries about media law from journalists, attorneys, and other members of the public. The Center is prepared to explain issues relating to media law, react to current developments, offer speakers for meetings and classes, and
http://brechner.org/

U.S. Department of State FOIA Electronic Reading Room

Displays (a) frequently requested documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), (b) special collections of continuing public interest, and (c) regulations, policy statements, admin
http://foia.state.gov/

DOJ: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Explains how the FOIA applies to the US Dept. of Justice and how information may be obtained.
http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/

The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, As Amended By Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stst. 3048

The full text of the Freedom of Information Act in a form showing all amendments to the statute made by the "Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996."
http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm

CIA FOIA

The Official Freedom of Information Act web site of the US Central Intelligence Agency. Provides the public with an overview of access to CIA information, including electronic access to previously released documents.
http://www.foia.cia.gov/

FBI - Freedom of Information Act

Explains the document search process and provides an online reading room for frequently requested files.
http://foia.fbi.gov/

HHS - Freedom of Information Act

US Health and Human Services site to facilitate efforts to obtain public information about HHS programs. How to request information, and a reading room of frequently requested documents.
http://www.hhs.gov/foia/

US Census Bureau Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)

Details about the bureau, how to request materials, and a FAQ.
http://www.census.gov/po/www/foia/foiaweb.htm

Society of Professional Journalists - Freedom of Information Resources

Resources on issues involving access to government records and activities and freedom of information education. Offers a message board to discuss the FOIA as well.
http://www.spj.org/foia.asp

Foia Group

FOIA consultants who assist in crafting and executing FOIA requests.
http://www.foia.com/

RCFP FOI Services

Various helps for journalists seeking to obtain information from government agencies, both federal and state, including a fully automated fill-in-the-blanks FOI letter generator.
http://www.rcfp.org/foi.html

Citizen's Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act

A report by the House Government Reform Committee, H.Rep. 108-172, June 23, 2002
http://www.fas.org/sgp/foia/citizen.html

Privacy International - Freedom of Information

News, documents, surveys, and a map of the status of FOIA worldwide.
http://www.privacyinternational.org/issues/foia/

First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution

The American Library Association identifies First Amendment advocates and provides links to notable court cases.
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/firstamendment/firstamendment.htm