Improper use of a copyrighted work; the theft of intellectual property.

Privileges recognized by the courts and usually based on the First Amendment; vary from state to state and from situation to situation.

Damage to someone's reputation brought about by libel or slander.

The doctrine that there are some circumstances in which copyrighted material may be used without acquiring permission from the copyright holder.

Laws requiring that all records generated by a public body are open to the public unless they are specifically exempted by law.

The result of creative work; for example, a novel, a song or artwork.

Legal responsibility. The idea that any person who could have and should have prevented an injury can be held responsible for it.

Knowingly publishing untrue or misleading words, pictures or symbols---that harms another person's reputation or harms an organization's ability to conduct its affairs in a community.

A document---usually a card with a reporter's picture and name and the name of his or her publication---that identifies an individual as a member of the press; gives a reporter access to people, events and legal or governmental proceedings that may be off-limits to the general public.

Material that a company has prepared for the use of the press; also called a press kit.

Prohibiting the inclusion of certain elements in a publication or broadcast.

Review of a publication by officials before the publication is printed, broadcast or posted online.

A place for public assembly or public expression.

A student publication that does not use school resources and is not affiliated with the school.

Laws that protect journalists from official demands to surrender heir journalistic research and images; vary from state to state.

Untrue spoken words that harm another person's reputation or harm an organization's ability to conduct its affairs in a community. The spoken version of libel.

A legal written order to appear in court to present documents, to testify, etc.

Laws that require meetings and actions of public officials to be visible to the public.