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The First Amendment guarantees a free press, meaning journalists are able to express any opinions they want about the government, even criticisms. However, journalists are often hindered in their ability to gather and publish news through the threat of lawsuits, subpoenas, and criminal prosecution. Read more about our support for student and professional journalists here.
Members of UGA Law School’s First Amendment Clinic moderated and presented during the 33rd annual Georgia Bar, Media & Judiciary Conference.
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During the Fall 2023 semester, the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic trained students, journalists, local officials, law enforcement, and engaged citizens on a variety of speech and media law topics.
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Clinic wins $105K settlement for photojournalist arrested for exercising his right to record.
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Working on behalf of non-profit media collective Atlanta Community Press Collective (“ACPC”), the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic successfully asserted Georgia’s Shield Law to defeat Non-Party Document Requests that ACPC received from Blackhall Real Estate Phase II, LLC (“Blackhall”), a defendant in South River Watershed Alliance v. Dekalb County and Blackhall Real Estate Phase II, LLC; Civil Action No. 21CV1931 (DeKalb County Superior Court, Georgia).
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Prior restraint is a type of censorship where speech or expression is stopped before it occurs.
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Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are both abridged when government agencies prohibit their employees from speaking with the media on matters of public import.
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On May 6, 2021, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, in partnership with the Society of Professional Journalists, Georgia Chapter and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, hosted a virtual panel discussion on Police & the Press: News Coverage of Protests
Keep ReadingOn October 8, 2020 the First Amendment Clinic delivered its third media law training to collegiate journalists at universities across Georgia.
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Georgia’s Shield Law, most recently codified at O.C.G.A. § 24-5-508, and the qualified reporters’ privilege recognized by the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (covering Georgia, Alabama and Florida) both protect journalists, in many instances, from being compelled as a third-party witness or from having to produce their work product as evidence in a legal proceeding as to which the journalist is not a party.
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In June 2020, the First Amendment Clinic created an information sheet for journalists on how to prepare, how to respond, and what to expect when police detain or arrest you in the course of newsgathering.
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On February 14, 2020, at the Georgia Press Institute’s annual training for collegiate print journalists, Clinic Director Clare R. Norins presented on the disturbing pattern of government retaliation against journalists during the panel discussion titled, “Under Attack: Assault on the First Amendment and an Open, Free and Unfettered Press.”
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