Often journalists are subpoenaed to testify in litigation where they are not a party, but a topic about which they have previously published content is relevant to the litigation. Where the journalists have been subpoenaed, the Protecting Journalists seeks to defend their right to protect their confidential sources and materials gathered in the course of creating and publishing their work.
Protecting Journalists is a joint pro bono collaboration between Microsoft and Davis Wright Tremaine.
Services:
Pre-Publication Review
We review submissions (e.g., articles, podcasts, opinion pieces) identified by the writer as potentially high risk, either because of the subject matter or the parties named, and provide legal guidance for the journalist to consider.
Access to Public Records
We seek to support journalists in creating a clearly written request for identifiable documents within a government agency’s possession, custody, or control, ensure that it’s done in a manner that is compliant with existing laws, and provide legal support to the extent possible in pursuing the request thereafter.
Defending Journalists Against Subpoenas
Often journalists are subpoenaed to testify in litigation where they are not a party, but a topic about which they have previously published content is relevant to the litigation. Where the journalists have been subpoenaed, we seek to defend their right to protect their confidential sources and materials gathered in the course of creating and publishing their work.