Q. I received an email today from a reader stating that the paper has an outdated online legal notice that is being associated with his name. He asks that we have it de-indexed from Google Search. He doesn’t have a problem with it appearing on our newspaper website, he just needs it deindexed and delinked…
Read more
Q. I’ve seen editors and journalists come down on all sides of the issue of using online sources. Personally, I urge my crew to avoid grabbing photos from online sources unless we have obtained permission. Some editors suggest Facebook is essentially open for the taking when it comes to a person’s image or photos. What…
Read more
Q. We have a story going to press tonight over some records issues we are dealing with in our county. Short version: the sheriff’s office is refusing to provide us with affidavits presented at the time of arrest for three suspects. The first appearance judge found no probable cause based on the documents and provided…
Read more
While the new public notice bill (HB 7049) is not effective until Jan. 1, 2023, we have heard that at least one county is already meeting to discuss the possibility of implementing the county website-only public notice option contained in the new bill. The first step for this county will be to determine what current…
Read more
Q. We received a “press release” from a law firm notifying the public of a breach of protected health information. I don’t know if this is a new ploy or what. I don’t remember ever receiving a press release by certified mail under the pretense of it being a legal notice. Is this something that…
Read more
Q. A local county commissioner has been texting during meetings and I plan to send her a public records request asking for copies of those texts. Does the texting violate the SL and are they public records? A. The Sunshine Law requires boards to meet in public. They may not take action or engage in…
Read more
Q. We are thinking about bringing on an associate editor and whether or not this person would be an exempt employee. His duties would involve editorial control but not management of personnel. I am aware of the FLSA overtime rule. There is an exemption for small market outlets, but the definition is markets with a…
Read more
Q. One of our local towns published a notice for a public hearing for a planning and zoning board meeting in the local free newspaper, which by current law, is not the legal organ for our area. They did not publish the ad for the public hearing in our newspaper – which is currently the…
Read more
The time is NOW! Please take a few minutes to listen to founder Jake Seaton of Column as he shares his take on how to position ourselves as an association to win public notice moving forward. He and his Column team have moved to South Florida and are committed to helping all of us…
Read more
Q. I am a reporter for our newspaper in Central Florida. I was informed of a town council meeting that took place last night where five of the six members were present. The members unanimously appointed a council member to the vacant council seat left after a council member recently stepped down. While the council…
Read more
