Few things are more time-consuming and potentially expensive for newspapers than lawsuits and court challenges.
The West Virginia Press Association assists its member newspapers by operating the WVPA Legal Hotline.
With your newspaper’s participation in the WVPA’s Legal Hotline program, your publisher, advertising department and newsroom are entitled assistance from WVPA Legal Hotline Attorney Carte Goodwin with questions concerning newspaper, advertising or editorial legal issues at no charge.
There are many times your newspaper may want to seek a pre-publication review or an official opinion from the Legal Hotline:
- Is your advertising director worried about the content of an advertisement?
- Are you not sure about state or federal guidelines on tobacco, alcohol or fireworks?
- Are your reporters having trouble getting information from a government agency?
- Is your editor worried that a statement might be libelous?
- Do you need an official statement for a news story about open meetings or freedom of information?
- Do you have a question about access to records and opening meeting laws?
Only contributing newspapers are eligible for Legal Hotline guidance.
Newspapers contribute the cost of a single quarter-page ad annually to secure this valuable service.To participate, contact Executive Director Don Smith at 304-342-1011, ext. 160, or 304-550-0454.
Visit WVPA Legal Hotline for more information on the program.
