During the Fall 2024 semester, the First Amendment Clinic presented trainings on election safety for journalists, student press freedoms, Georgia’s sunshine laws, and First Amendment auditors’ right to record.

Election Safety

Clinic students Grace Lane and Jackson Rowe (pictured above) partnered with journalist Erica Henry Sims and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation to provide a free webinar on physical, digital, and mental health safety and legal tips for journalists covering election related events. A recording of the training can be viewed here.

Student Press Freedoms

Clinic students Carsen Christy and Charlotte Umanoff partnered with high school senior Sudarshan Prasanna to present on protecting student voices during the Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s annual fall conference.

Government Transparency

Clinic fellows Christina Lee and Urub Khawaja presented to City of Stonecrest employees on Georgia’s Open Records and Open Meetings Acts. A recording of the training can be viewed here.

Right to Record

Clinic student Ellie Wilson-Wade and Clinic director Clare Norins presented to the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission on First Amendment protections and lawful limitations on the right to record, and on preparing for and responding to First Amendment audits.

An image of an open newspaper held up by two women, one of which is pointing to a headline.

The Issue

Media Law

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.

Explore Issue
High School Students walking

The Issue

Student First Amendment Rights

The First Amendment protects students and student journalists from censorship and retaliation in public schools and universities. As the Supreme Court has explained, students do not “shed their constitutional right to freedom of speech at the schoolhouse gate.” Read more about our work on behalf of students and student journalists here.

Explore Issue
Hands over a laptop keyboard, with illustrations of records reflected on the screen.

The Issue

Government Transparency

Georgia’s legislature finds that transparent government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society. The state’s “sunshine laws” guarantee access to the public records and public meetings of local and state government agencies. The First Amendment and Georgia’s uniform superior court rules also protect the public’s right to observe court proceedings and review court…

Explore Issue
A videocamera facing a large crowd.

The Issue

Right to Record

The First Amendment generally protects the right to gather information about what public officials do on public property, which includes the right to record matters of public interest. Although this right is clearly established, some government officials try to prevent or retaliate against those who record them. Read more about our advocacy for the right…

Explore Issue