Updates on FoIA laws

Article Abstract:

Journalists can rely on the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) in their effort to investigate governmental accountability. Recent disclosures via the FoIA included discoveries of civil liberties violation by the FBI in the 1980s, the accidental dropping of a hydrogen bomb in New Mexico in 1957 by the US Air Force, and the release of the names and backgrounds of the foreign owners of First American Bancshares. Journalists can solicit the assistance of the Freedom of Information Center to monitor developments in access statutes and activities.

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Telephone privacy: an old problem that won't go away

Article Abstract:

The phone records of investigative journalists can be subpoenaed by law enforcement authorities. Government agencies such as the IRS and the Department of Justice have frequently accessedphone records of journalists. Members of the media argue that this policy violates the constitutional right to privacy. However, subsequent laws uphold previous decisions to provide law agencies access to phone records. This policyof disclosure seriously compromises the ability of investigative journalists tohide the identity of confidential sources.

Privacy, Right of, Right of privacy

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Bypassing the courts

Article Abstract:

The New Jersey affiliate of the Bell Atlantic telephone company upholds its policy of providing telephone records tolaw enforcement agencies. Although the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey Bell should first inform journalists of subpoenas to their telephone records, the phone company regularly provides access of these records to law enforcement authorities without prior knowledge of journalists. Members of the press should rigorously protect their right of privacy by protesting this policy of New Jersey Bell.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Bell Atlantic Corp.

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