Swatt Guide to Press Law
Reporters, keep an eye on potential laws that could affect your ability to gather the news! Members of the public, look after your right to access information! Inspired by the Susie and Steve Swatt Collection, a set of materials documenting Assemblyman Jerry Lewis’ struggle to pass a constitutional amendment protecting the press, this research guide outlines ways any California resident can monitor or even work to change state and federal laws that affect the press.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our ask-a-librarian service or via an email to csllaw@library.ca.gov.
Research Guides
Are you in legal trouble?
Are you a reporter in legal trouble? While this guide discusses how to search for information on your rights and obligations as a reporter, if you are currently in legal trouble there are several organizations that may be able to offer legal assistance or answer questions specific to your circumstances. Please note that the California State Library is providing these links for informational purposes only and does not endorse these websites or organizations.
Hotlines
Many non-profit organizations offer legal assistance to reporters in the form of legal hotlines that you can either call or email. You can reach out to them with your time-sensitive questions.
Legal Self-Help
While it is always helpful to consult a lawyer, if you are conducting research for yourself on court subpoenas or other proceedings, these links will either provide information on specific legal issues in the California Courts or point you to physical self-help centers.
Low-Cost or Pro-Bono Services (for Qualifying Individuals and Issues)
Organizations interested in defending press rights may be willing to take on a legal case for free or for a nominal fee depending on the legal issue. The below organizations sometimes provide free or low-cost services to reporters in legal trouble.
General Press Law Resources
Do you just want to get the lay of the legal land surrounding press law? Are you curious to read what the Journal of Communications and Entertainment Law had to say in 1977 about the Fresno Four case? Then check out our databases, journals, and legal treatises on press law.
Databases
The California State Library provides access to several excellent databases that carry legal summary information as well as primary laws. For a full list of the databases we offer, please see the State Library’s Online Resources page. Here are some good databases that can get you started on your research:
Available Onsite
- CEBOnlaw
- Westlaw
- HeinOnline
Press Law Books
Whether you are looking for a layman’s guide to laws about the press or a theoretical treatise, the print collections kept by the Witkin State Law Library have you covered! Check our catalog to see if we have a title of interest to you:
- Ex Libris Discovery (exlibrisgroup.com)
- Using the dropdown beside the search box, limit your search to “Library Catalog”
- Search for using one of the following sets of keywords:
- “Press Law”
- “First Amendment”
- “Mass Media”
- “Journalism”
- Any other keyword relevant to your research
- Click Search
- Under “Refine your Results” toggle the “Library” Dropdown
- Select “Witkin State Law Library”
Press Law Websites
If you want to track current activity with legal implications for the press but don’t want to go to individual government websites, these third-party websites might help you. Please note that the State Library is providing these links for informational purposes and in no way endorses these sources.