Media Law & Right-to-Know
Cohen Seglias’ Media Law & Right-to-Know attorneys provide prompt, knowledgeable advice to print and broadcast media clients, including journalists, broadcasters and publishers. Our attorneys regularly counsel clients on First Amendment issues, Right-to-Know Law access and prepublication review and represent clients in defamation matters, the defense of subpoenas to reporters and publishers and Sunshine Act violations.
- Obtained a ruling on behalf of a coalition of newspapers to unseal records involving Penn State’s litigation with its insurers arising out of the Sandusky proceedings.
- Obtained access to police files and court cases of civil disturbances and unsolved homicides.
- School district empowerment teams are agencies under the Sunshine Act.
- Affirmed summary judgment for a defamation defendant.
- Earned a successful defense verdict for a media defendant and its reporter in a defamation action.
- School bus surveillance video is public record and, with limited redactions, not exempt under FERPA.
- Applications for permits to grow, process, and distribute medical marijuana are public records subject to minimal redaction.
- District Attorney is not a judicial agency under RTKL.
- RTKL exemptions do not apply to records made public by other laws.
- PUC is required to disclose documents related to a settlement agreement with PPL Electric Utilities Corporation.
- Department of Education emails related to the Jerry Sandusky scandal are public records.
- Names and salaries of Penn State employees who participate in a state pension plan, including head football coach Joe Paterno, are public records).
- PHEAA Board retreat expenditures are public records.
Right-to-Know
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) provides access to public records of state and local agencies. Cohen Seglias’ attorneys represent print and broadcast media, businesses, and citizens seeking access to public records, as well as public agencies seeking to comply with the law and its companion statute, the Sunshine Act. Our attorneys are recognized state-wide as authorities in both open records and meetings issues and represent clients in appeals and mediations in the Office of Open Records, Court of Common Pleas, the Commonwealth Court, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Our Group frequently provides clients with analyses of whether records are subject to public disclosure and Right-To-Know Law exceptions and assists with making requests for public records. Attorneys draft extension and response letters on behalf of public agencies and review records and prepare exemption logs and privilege logs.
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