The Reporter’s Key: Rights of Fair Trial and Free Press, Third Edition

The Reporter's Key: Rights of Fair Trial and Free Press, Third Edition Cover

We are pleased to issue this third edition of The Reporter’s Key in print (and electronic) format. This informational manual was originally produced by the ABA National Conference of Lawyers and Representatives of the Media in response to a need for easily understood information for journalists explaining ABA policy on covering the courts.

Through this manual, we explain the ABA’s Criminal Justice Standards for Fair Trial and Free Press so that journalists will know the concerns of and the constraints on the legal/judicial system. The booklet is written in clear and concise language and is a first step for many in learning more about the careful balancing act required to maintain our democratic society. It has been used extensively in law and journalism classes, and by state and local bars and others who hold “bench-bar-media” conferences.

The Key was conceived and developed by Alice Neff Lucan who enlisted the help and support of Robert O’Neil and the staff of the Thomas Jefferson Center. We are especially grateful to them for their foresight and tireless efforts to make this booklet a reality.

For this Third Edition, we are indebted to Bob O’Neill and his staff at the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression for updating the information.

Former members of the Conference Group, and other experts in media law, provided editorial assistance and review of the final manuscript.

To view specific sections of The Reporter’s Key online, please see:

• Foreword and Introduction
• The Reporter’s Key: Rights of Fair Trail and Free Press
• Case Citations
• Additional Resources

Or download the complete manual in PDF format, free of charge.

For more information about fair trial and free press, First Amendment, and issues relating to media and the law, please contact Debbie Weixl in ABA Media Relations and Communication Services.