Section 552.103 of the Texas Public Information Act—the “litigation exception”—is a uniquely strange exception to “prompt” disclosure of public information. Generally, it permits a governmental body to withhold information “relating to litigation of a civil or criminal nature” in which the government is, or may become, a party, viewed as of the date a requestor asks for the information.
ASK AN ATTORNEY:
Q: “How do the new FAA rules on the use of drones affect Texas newspapers? I thought we had a state law that pretty much prohibits use of drones for media photography.”
A: The journalism world celebrated this summer when the Federal Aviation Administration enacted its long-awaited drone rules, clearing the way for the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drones) for newsgathering.
For freedom of speech and the press to thrive in an online world, the First Amendment must continue as the unabated pillar of the right to robust debate on issues of public concern. More comprehensive progress toward First Amendment protection of the news media remains overdue from the Lone Star State's highest court, but the pair of recent opinions gave online journalism conferees a reason to raise a stein of Shiner Bock.
By DAVID DONALDSON
Media Law Lecturer, University of Texas
Q: What effect does the new Texas law on Open Carry of handguns have on our office policies about handguns for employees and visitors?
Q: A national company has been selling plaques with miniaturized versions of actual newspaper pages. The plaques are marketed to individuals and businesses that have appeared in the newspaper. Is it a violation of copyright law for the company to sell these plaques?
Newspapers have the discretion to refuse to publish a same-sex wedding or engagement announcement- or any other advertising they don’t wish to publish.
Attorney Laura Lee Prather, Haynes and Boone, discusses recent rulings on anti-SLAPP legislation
By JOSEPH R. LARSEN
Segwick, LLP
The Texas Supreme Court has given requestors significantly greater leverage in dealing with governmental bodies that utilize requests for ruling to the attorney general as a way to delay release of clearly public information. In its opinion in the case of Kallinen v.
HB 1803 may change juvenile access
by: Thomas J. Williams, a partner in the Fort Worth office of Haynes and Boone
The Texas Legislative Session: bills for journalists to love and hate
by Alicia Calzada and Laura Prather
Haynes & Boone, LLP
As the Texas legislative session begins building steam, many bills have already been filed that are of interest to journalists and news organizations. Pending legislation addresses the ability to gather news and attempts to move public notice to government websites.