Reporters Committee attorneys will discuss free legal resources for journalists, common newsgathering issues, public records access and more.
Beginning in January, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the Indigenous Journalists Association will lead a series of virtual training sessions for IJA members about free legal resources available to reporters, common newsgathering issues, public records access and more.
The first training — a meet and greet with the Reporters Committee — will take place via Zoom on Jan. 18 from 12-1 p.m. CT. IJA Treasurer Angel Ellis, director of Mvskoke Media, will moderate a discussion and Q&A with Denver Nicks, the Reporters Committee’s Local Legal Initiative attorney in Oklahoma, and Mayeesha Galiba, the Reporters Committee’s NBCU News Group Race Equity in Journalism Legal Fellow.
Nicks and Galiba will discuss the Reporters Committee’s free legal support available to journalists, such as online resources addressing common legal questions and challenges, and a Legal Hotline that can assist with a wide variety of newsgathering and press freedom issues. They will also share examples of the Reporters Committee’s pro bono work in Indigenous communities on behalf of IJA members.
IJA members can register to join the free webinar on Jan. 18 here. Registered participants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join.
Reporters Committee attorneys will lead subsequent virtual trainings for IJA members scheduled for Feb. 8 — on common newsgathering questions and issues — and March 21 — on the federal Freedom of Information Act and accessing public records. More information on the February and March trainings and how to register will be shared in early 2024.
About the Reporters Committee
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists. The Reporters Committee serves news organizations, reporters, editors, documentary filmmakers, media lawyers, and many more who use our free resources.
About IJA
The Indigenous Journalists Association’s mission is centered on the idea that accurate and contextual reporting about Indigenous people and communities is necessary to overcome biases and stereotypes portrayed in popular and mainstream media. Expanding access to accurate news and information is essential to an informed citizenry and healthy democracy, across tribal, local, state and national levels.
For more than 40 years, Indigenous journalists across the United States and Canada have worked to support and sustain IJA. Originally formed as the Native American Press Association in 1983, the organization has grown from just a handful of reporters to a membership of nearly 900, which includes Indigenous journalists, associates, educators and partners.
