Legal Hotline

Q: We encourage our reporters to record interviews for accuracy, with interviews typically recorded over the phone or internet, and sometimes in person. Are there any legal issues associated with recording […]

Q: I’d like to review emergency time response logs from our county dispatch center related to fire, police and EMS. When I requested access, the dispatch agency said 911 and […]

Q: A school board regularly holds private “caucus” meetings for members of each political party before each meeting where agenda items are discussed. One of these groups constitutes a quorum […]

Q: What are some of the issues we need to consider when reviewing political advertising? A: Financing, required disclosures, timing, rates and defamation issues arise in the context of political […]

Q: Are 911 call recordings and transcripts public records under the Right-to-Know Law? A:  The Right-to-Know Law allows agencies to deny access to 911 audio recordings and transcripts, but it […]

Q: I requested copies of a school district’s audio/video recording of a public meeting held earlier this week. The district denied my request saying the recording is exempt as “personal […]

Q:A reader called to complain about a contractor ad that appeared in our paper and on our website. The ad did not contain a contractor registration number, and the reader […]

Q: On Monday, I asked a school district for copies of records that will be discussed during the regular public meeting scheduled for Friday. They told me to file a […]

Q: A local agency requires citizens to notify the agency 48 hours in advance and get permission if they plan to record public meetings. The policy also threatens criminal sanctions […]