How to build a newsroom plan for responding to First Amendment threats - Poynter

"Last month, Poynter published a to help journalists respond immediately to legal threats and protect their ability to report independently. This next guide in our series is designed to help leaders prepare in advance for their newsrooms to do journalism when First Amendment rights are at stake-which, incidentally, is a lot like building coverage plans before a breaking news story escalates quickly. What you do now determines how well you'll respond when it really matters."

"Locate - or create and document - the following and make them available in a central place. In the next month: A clear statement of purpose that articulates the newsroom's commitment to documenting events and government accountability. This makes your intentions clear, including whether your newsroom has some resources (like a libel attorney) but not others (like a First Amendment lawyer). Contact info for a First Amendment lawyer, a defensive (libel) lawyer,"

"Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has a available Mon.-Fri. and an after-hours emergency number in the event of an arrest; is the Thomson Reuters Foundation's global pro bono network for nonprofit and independent media. Covington's Kurt Wimmer Media Freedom Pro Bono initiative provides support to nonprofit media organizations on journalist safety, media law, and operations. Updated contact information and emergency contact information for all staff members."

Newsroom leaders should prepare in advance to protect First Amendment reporting during equipment seizures, arrests, subpoenas, search warrants, or field violence and unrest. Assemble a clear statement of purpose that affirms commitment to documenting events and government accountability and clarifies available legal resources. Collect contact information for First Amendment, defensive (libel), and immigration attorneys and establish who should contact them. Maintain updated, encrypted staff contact and emergency information. Create an internal communications plan with a designated owner. Within three months, adopt policies for handling subpoenas, search warrants, and other legal challenges to reporting.

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