Legal Resources
PNA attorneys provide extensive, free, media-related legal services to our members. The PNA Legal Hotline serves our members with unlimited counseling, on demand, 365 days a year. Attorneys also provide unlimited training and educational sessions as well as amicus briefs and litigation referral services.
PNA Legal Hotline and Related Services
Members receive free unlimited counseling from the PNA Legal Hotline 365 days a year. The hotline handles thousands of calls annually about laws that impact journalists and the publishing industry. Contact the hotline at 717-703-3080 or email PNA Media Law Counsel Melissa Bevan Melewsky at melissam@pa-news.org.
In addition, PNA attorneys will assist members by:
- Drafting and editing Right-to-Know Law requests and administrative appeals.
- Conducting prepublication reviews of advertising, news and editorial content.
- Providing on-the-record commentary.
- Giving legal research and advice on background.
- Reaching out to, and liaising with, government agencies on members’ behalf.
Free Legal Training
PNA attorneys provide free and unlimited education/training sessions along with a webinar library on legal issues related to and including:
- The Right-to-Know Law.
- Sunshine Act.
- First Amendment.
- Wiretap Act.
- Clean Slate law.
- Medical Marijuana Act.
- Public access policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and open courts.
- Defamation.
- Invasion of privacy.
- Advertising, fair housing and employment.
- Tobacco, alcohol, medical marijuana and cannabis ads.
- Trademark and copyright.
Please visit the training and events section of our website to see a list of upcoming legal education opportunities that will benefit everyone from publishers to journalists to advertising leaders to circulation managers.
Amicus Briefs and Litigation Referral Services
- Members involved in litigation can request amicus participation from PNA and partnering media organizations at no cost.
- PNA media law counsel works with a broad network of highly skilled media law attorneys across Pennsylvania and can connect members with experienced pro-bono legal service organizations, attorneys and law firms.
Handbooks
- Members involved in litigation can request amicus participation from PNA and partnering media organizations at no cost.
- PNA media law counsel works with a broad network of highly skilled media law attorneys across Pennsylvania and can connect members with experienced pro-bono legal service organizations, attorneys and law firms.
Local Legal Initiative
- Members involved in litigation can request amicus participation from PNA and partnering media organizations at no cost.
- PNA media law counsel works with a broad network of highly skilled media law attorneys across Pennsylvania and can connect members with experienced pro-bono legal service organizations, attorneys and law firms.