Don’t get sued!

Libel? Privacy? Intellectual property?! When you’re producing a publication, there are so many legal risks to keep in mind. But don’t fear! We’ll go over tips and tricks for reviewing your own content to keep you out of the courtroom and in the newsroom.

Marie McMullan, Student Press Freedom Initiative at FIRE legal associate

9 am Thursday, Oct 16

Want to become a news influencer? Let’s talk law

As more journalists are building personal brands and reporting independently through new platforms, what legal risks should you be aware of? This session will explore the key legal issues facing news influencers today – dive into essential intellectual property areas like trademark and copyright, compare platform terms of use and other contractual barriers, and more. Join this practical discussion on how to legally protect and advance your work and credibility in this social media moment.

Jonathan Gaston-Falk, Student Press Law Center staff attorney

10 am Thursday, Oct 16

Copyright 101

It’s never been easier – and potentially more risky – to help yourself to photos, videos and music. Join the Student Press Law Center for a copyright primer and tips (and warnings) about finding truly free material that’s safe to re-publish.

Jonathan Gaston-Falk, Student Press Law Center staff attorney

1 pm Thursday, Oct 16

Covering chaos: How to protect yourself during protests 

From campuses to the grounds of the White House, covering protests can be a risky endeavor. Learn practical and legal tips for protecting yourself when covering high-intensity situations. 

Adam A. Marshall, senior staff attorney, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

2 pm Thursday, Oct 16

The ABCs of L-I-B-E-L

While just saying the word aloud can bring shivers down a journalist’s spine, the basics of libel law – and the keys to avoiding it – are actually fairly simple. Join the Student Press Law Center to clear the fear.

Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center senior legal counsel

3 pm Thursday, Oct 16

Prompting transparency: the future of FOIA and AI

Learn about how artificial intelligence is affecting the FOIA/public records sphere (for better and for worse), from drafting requests, to government officials reviewing records, to using RAGs to explore document dumps. Find out how you can leverage technology to be a responsible, effective AI user! 

Adam A. Marshall, senior staff attorney, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

4 pm Thursday, Oct 16

Student Press Freedom 101

Are you being illegally censored? From content-based budget cuts to battling the university PR machine just to talk to anyone, press freedom challenges can come in many forms. We’ll discuss your rights at public colleges, how to know if it’s censorship and how to recognize if you’re self-censoring without even knowing it.

Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center senior legal counsel

9 am Friday, Oct 17

Silenced sources

Colleges silencing sources is nothing new. But what can student journalists do when their own sources are seeking removal of their quotes and names, too? Recent events have brought both of these scenarios to a high point, and student journalists and their sources are facing mounting risks. We’ll discuss reporter’s privilege and shield laws, source rights, and navigating overbearing source speech regulations.

Marie McMullan, Student Press Freedom Initiative at FIRE legal associate

10 am Friday, Oct 17

Ariadne’s thread: Tips and tactics to guide your federal FOIA journey

Ever felt like the federal FOIA is a dark labyrinth from which there is no escape? Find out how you can navigate to transparency with an attorney whose day job for the last decade has been litigating FOIA cases. 

Adam A. Marshall, senior staff attorney, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

1 pm Friday, Oct 17

Immigration Law 101

With international students making headlines as never before, get the rundown on student visas, legal status, and more. Beyond covering the issue, we’ll give you the tools you need to craft responsive editorial policies and make informed coverage decisions.

Dominic Coletti, Student Press Freedom Initiative at FIRE advocate

2 pm Friday, Oct 17

When to slow your AI roll: Legal risk with artificial intelligence

How confident are you in your AI use as a tool in your newsroom? Will that generated text, image or cloned voice lead to legal risk? Join the Student Press Law Center for a relevant update to unpack the legal questions you should be asking to protect yourself from liability.

Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center senior legal counsel

3 pm Friday, Oct 17

The art of access: Strategies for acquiring public records

Learn research-based strategies for prying public records out of officials’ grubbies, with tips on how to find records, get up to speed on the law, craft effective request letters, overcome denials, and eliminate copy fees.

David Cuillier, director, University of Florida Brechner FOI Project

4 pm Friday, Oct 17

Education records and overcoming FERPA

Get dozens of ideas for cool records for covering K-12 and higher education, and how to overcome the inevitable speed bumps of FERPA and excessive public information officer controls.

David Cuillier, director, University of Florida Brechner FOI Project
Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center senior legal counsel

9 am Saturday, Oct 18