Legal resources
When a screening indicates that counsel review is recommended or required, these organizations provide media-law assistance to independent and nonprofit newsrooms.
Availability, eligibility and scope vary. Contacting a hotline or completing an intake form may not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information until the organization confirms how it will be protected.
A national program operated by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press that connects eligible journalists and news organizations with pro bono legal help, including prepublication review, public-records assistance and certain newsroom operational matters.
Provides legal information and assistance to journalists and media lawyers. The hotline may assist with or refer certain prepublication matters, depending on eligibility and capacity. It does not handle intellectual-property, employment or contract matters.
RCFP states that contacting the hotline does not create an attorney-client relationship and asks users not to submit confidential information through the hotline.
A Cyrus R. Vance Center initiative providing pro bono services to qualifying independent news publishers across the United States. Services include newsroom counseling, prepublication review, requests for comment, copyright matters and responses to litigation threats.
Assistance is not guaranteed. All services are subject to eligibility, capacity and intake.
Choose a U.S. jurisdiction to see state-specific guides on anti-SLAPP laws, reporter's privilege, recording rights and open government.
Pre-publication & media law assistance
Lawyers for Reporters
Pro bono prepublication review, newsroom policies, governance and litigation-threat response for qualifying independent news outlets.
ProJourn
RCFP program connecting journalists with pro bono counsel for prepublication review, public records and newsroom operations.
Reporters Committee Legal Hotline
Free legal information and referrals for journalists; 24/7 emergency line available.
Journalists' rights guides
CPJ Guide to Journalists' Legal Rights in the U.S.
Covers First and Fourth Amendment rights when covering protests, demonstrations and political events.
FIRE Guide to Freelancer Protection
Rates major publishers and broadcasters on whether they promise liability protection to freelancers in writing.
RCFP Anti-SLAPP Legal Guide
State-by-state overview of laws that help defend against strategic lawsuits targeting public-interest reporting.
Student Press Law Center
Legal guides for student journalists covering a broad range of topics.
Source protection & shield laws
RCFP Reporter's Privilege Compendium
State-by-state guide to press shield laws and reporter's privilege in federal circuits.
The Signals Network
Support for whistleblowers worldwide in the private and public sectors.
Government Accountability Project
Legal services and assistance for whistleblowers and prospective whistleblowers.
Recording & newsgathering
Open records & government access
RCFP Open Government Guide
State-by-state coverage of freedom of information laws and access to court records.
ILRC Open Records Toolkit
Toolkit for using open records law to obtain immigration-related information at the local and state levels.
RCFP Immigration Records Access Tipsheet
Tipsheet for accessing immigration system records, available in English and Spanish.
Physical & digital safety
ACOS Alliance
Practical guides, tools, templates and training for journalist safety and risk assessment.
Coalition Against Online Violence Response Hub
Emergency assistance for digital security and mental health linked to online violence.
Editor Safety Hub
Self-paced training for editors and managers on journalist safety in English and Spanish.
EFF Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border Guide
Digital privacy tips, constitutional rights and technology guidance for crossing U.S. borders.
Freedom of the Press Foundation Digital Security Checklist
Guide for journalists to develop digital safety and security routines.
International Women's Media Foundation
Guide focused on preventing online violence against newsrooms and journalists.
INN Press Freedom & Safety Hub
Resources including pro bono assistance, media insurance and digital privacy tools.
National Press Photographers Association
Guidelines and resources for press photographers covering protests and sensitive events.
Rory Peck Trust
Safety and risk assessment resources, digital security tips and psychological support for freelancers.
International
Escalate to a senior editor whenever a screening returns an elevated or higher level, when a story accuses an identifiable person of a crime or serious misconduct, when a central fact rests on a single anonymous source, or when the subject has not had a meaningful opportunity to respond.
Escalate to qualified media counsel before publication when a screening marks an issue as requiring attorney review, when a subject or their lawyer has threatened legal action, when the reporting involves recordings, sealed records or material obtained from a third party, or when a jurisdiction outside the United States is involved.
Contact counsel before publication rather than after. Preserve reporting materials and do not alter notes, recordings or documents once a dispute appears likely.