Legal Hotline

Q: I believe the Sunshine Act may have been violated. Are there penalties for violations and if so, how do I pursue them? A: The Sunshine Act allows for the […]

Q: Occasionally, readers will post copyright protected material in the comments section of our website. Is there a way to avoid a potential copyright infringement claim in this situation? A: […]

Q: Many of our local agencies routinely take a 30-calendar-day extension, usually for legal review, to respond to Right-to-Know Law requests, even for simple, obviously public records like meeting minutes. […]

Q: I requested access to the names, job titles, salaries, length of service and employment contracts for members of our local police department. The agency denied access to officers’ names […]

Q: Are there any laws that protect the identity of confidential sources, and what do these laws mean for journalists in our newsroom? A: Pennsylvania’s Shield Law offers robust protection […]

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: Which rules govern public access to arrest and search warrants and their supporting documentation, like affidavits of probable cause? A: Public access to arrest and search warrants is governed […]

Q: What documentation should news media organizations get from advertisers when allowing “adult 55+,” “retirement community,” “senior housing” and similar terminology in a housing ad? A: Publishers are generally not […]

Q: Are there any issues associated with running ads for foreign online pharmacies in our newspaper and on our website? A: The Food and Drug Administration takes the position that […]