Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Legal Hotline Archive
LEGAL HOTLINE: 717-703-3080
One of PNA’s most popular services to our members is the free Legal Hotline. PNA members may contact the hotline with legal questions about laws that impact journalists and the publishing industry as well as for quotes, background information, pre-publication review and for litigation-related resources.
PNA attorneys routinely provide members with advice on the Right to Know Law and other public records laws, the Sunshine Act, libel and invasion of privacy, court access issues, First Amendment, copyright and trademark, independent contractors, the Pennsylvania Shield Law, publication of notices, and advertising issues to name a few. In addition, many reporters from PNA member news organizations also rely on PNA’s attorneys for quotes in stories involving media law issues. PNA attorneys also routinely provide pre-publication review of advertising as well as editorial and news content.
PNA also participates as amicus curiae (friend of court) in litigation involving PNA members and in cases that impact the media industry. We also maintain a robust list of attorneys, law firms and clinics with media law expertise for referrals. The Legal Hotline can address requests for amicus participation, referrals, and other litigation-related resources.
You can reach the PNA Legal Hotline at 717-703-3080 or melissam@pa-news.org.
Categories
Advertising
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to advertising issues:
- Bar/Restaurant Alcohol Advertising
- Beer Delivery Ads
- Cannabis Seed Ads
- Employment Ads – Basic Rules
- Estate Notices
- Firewood Ads
- Fireworks Ads
- FDA Tobacco Advertising Rules
- Flag Laws
- Foreign Pharmacy Ads
- Fortune Teller Ads
- Hemp and CBD Ads
- Housing for Older Persons
- Medical Marijuana Ads
- Notary Seal
- Olympic Trademark in Ads and News Coverage
- Out-of-State Recreational Marijuana Ads
- Political Ads – Last Minute
- Political Ads – State and Local Elections
- Preferences in Employment Ads
- Proof of Publication
- Remote Notarization
- Self-Service Storage Ads
Copyright and Trademark
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to copyright and trademark issues:
- Copyright Basics
- Digital Millennium Copyright Act
- Olympic Trademark in Ads and News Coverage
- “Super Bowl” trademark rules
- Trademark Basics
Court Access Issues
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to court access issues:
First Amendment and Newsgathering
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to First Amendment and newsgathering issues:
- HIPAA Directory Information
- Pennsylvania Shield Law
- Press Rights on Public Property
- Public Road Accidents
- Recording Interviews
Law Enforcement Records
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to law enforcement issues:
- Access to Warrants
- Act 22 and Law Enforcement Recordings
- Clery Act
- Emergency Time Response Logs
- Law Enforcement Records
- RTKL and Law Enforcement Records
Libel and Privacy
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to libel and privacy issues:
- HIPAA Directory Information
- Settlements and Confidentiality Clause
- Section 230 – Communications Decency Act
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls:
- CAN-SPAM Act
- Contest Guidelines
- Pennsylvania Shield Law
- Price Gouging Act
- USPS Publisher Record Retention
Public Meetings and Sunshine Act
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to public meetings and the Sunshine Act:
- Organizational Meetings
- Public Comments Prior to Meeting
- Quasi-Judicial Deliberations
- Recording Public Meetings
- Regular Meeting Notice
- Sunshine Act – Agenda Requirements
- Sunshine Act – Committees
- Sunshine Act – Email Deliberations
- Sunshine Act – Penalties
- Sunshine Act – Public Comment Limits
- Sunshine Act – Right to Object
Public Records and Right to Know Law
Pennsylvania Legal Hotline calls relating to public records and the Right to Know Law issues:
- 911 Recordings and Transcripts
- Access to Election Returns
- Access to Warrants
- Act 22 and Law Enforcement Recordings
- Clery Act
- Complex Data Fees Media Exemption
- Election Code – Access to Ballots and Returns
- Election Code – Access to Returns
- Election Code – Access to Candidate Information
- Election Guide: Access to Polling Places, Records and Computation
- Emergency Time Response Logs
- Law Enforcement Records
- Proposed Budget Copies and Inspection
- Public Employee Severance Package
- Recordings of Public Meetings
- Right-To-Know Law Inspection Fees
- RTKL and Death Information
- RTKL and Law Enforcement Records
- RTKL and Public Meeting Records
- RTKL and Specificity
- Settlements and Confidentiality Clause
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