Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Encyclopedia
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) is an American nonprofit organization
, founded in 1970, that provides free legal assistance to and on behalf of journalists. A number of prominent journalists presently sit on the organization's steering committee, including Dan Rather
, and Judy Woodruff
and, prior to his death, Walter Cronkite
. Its offices are located in Arlington, Virginia.
The RCFP actively aids in defending reporters facing subpoenas and court orders to disclose the identity of confidential sources. The Reporters Committee is also involved in a variety of First Amendment
, shield law
, freedom of information, and other free speech activities, including state open records and meetings law compliance. The organization publishes a quarterly magazine, The News Media & The Law.
In addition, the Reporters Committee files legal briefs on a variety of issues that affect a journalist's ability to gather and disseminate news and also maintains a 24-hour legal defense hotline for journalists and media lawyers.
is through publishing its Open Government Guide, which reviews the open records and open meetings laws in each of the fifty states. The guide includes expert commentary by attorneys in each state who are familiar with the provisions of their state's code as well as court rulings and informal practices that combine to affect the climate in each state for the public's ability to obtain copies of public documents and attend government meetings.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, founded in 1970, that provides free legal assistance to and on behalf of journalists. A number of prominent journalists presently sit on the organization's steering committee, including Dan Rather
Dan Rather
Daniel Irvin "Dan" Rather, Jr. is an American journalist and the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News. He is now managing editor and anchor of the television news magazine Dan Rather Reports on the cable channel HDNet. Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9,...
, and Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff is an American television news anchor and journalist.Woodruff is a Board Member at the IWMF .-Broadcast journalism career:...
and, prior to his death, Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years . During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll...
. Its offices are located in Arlington, Virginia.
The RCFP actively aids in defending reporters facing subpoenas and court orders to disclose the identity of confidential sources. The Reporters Committee is also involved in a variety of First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
, shield law
Shield law
A shield law or reporters' privilege is legislation designed to provide a news reporter with the right to refuse to testify as to information and/or sources of information obtained during the news gathering and dissemination process.-Definition:...
, freedom of information, and other free speech activities, including state open records and meetings law compliance. The organization publishes a quarterly magazine, The News Media & The Law.
In addition, the Reporters Committee files legal briefs on a variety of issues that affect a journalist's ability to gather and disseminate news and also maintains a 24-hour legal defense hotline for journalists and media lawyers.
Freedom of Information
One of the most significant activities that RCFP undertakes is promoting freedom of information in the United StatesFreedom of information in the United States
Freedom of information in the United States refers to the independent bodies of Freedom of information legislation at the federal level and in the fifty states.-Federal level:...
is through publishing its Open Government Guide, which reviews the open records and open meetings laws in each of the fifty states. The guide includes expert commentary by attorneys in each state who are familiar with the provisions of their state's code as well as court rulings and informal practices that combine to affect the climate in each state for the public's ability to obtain copies of public documents and attend government meetings.