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Marion police to get body cameras
The Marion, North Carolina, Police Department plans to equip each officer with a body camera, the McDowell News reports. The story quotes SMVT attorney Amanda Martin on whether the recordings from the cameras are public records: Body camera footage and public record requests are a hot topic across the state and nation right now. The…
Read MoreHugh Stevens to speak on panel at Open Government Coalition Sunshine Day
SMVT partner Hugh Stevens will speak at The North Carolina Open Government Coalition’s annual Sunshine Day event on March 16 in Durham. The event will be held at the Durham Convention Center. Anyone can register to attend for $30 per person or $45 for registration and a one-year Open Government Coalition membership. From 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., ACLU…
Read MoreUNC governors vote to close 3 university-based centers
Amid student protests and faculty dissent, the UNC Board of Governors voted to close three centers, including the The Center on Work, Poverty and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill. The News & Observer reported on the vote and the opposition. The Board, in an apparent effort to move away from outspoken opponents of the vote, moved the…
Read MoreRobeson County vote on Project Apple may not have complied with state meetings law
The Fayetteville Observer is reporting that the Robeson County Board of Commissioners voted to offer 75 percent tax relief for a four-year period for “Project Apple,” but refused to disclose the party behind the project. The article quotes SMVT attorney Amanda Martin on the possible violation of the open meetings law. The vote violated the state’s transparency…
Read MoreUNC’s expensive outside counsel criticized
The Daily Tar Heel has published an article on criticism of UNC-Chapel Hill’s decision to hire an expensive, New York City-based law firm. The firm was hired to assist with representation in a public records lawsuit filed by SMVT on behalf of a coalition of media organizations to uncover records related to the Wainstein report.…
Read MoreBig changes in music licensing possible
The Hollywood Reporter reports on proposed changes in music licenses put out by the U.S. Copyright office. The music licensing regime has long been considered one that does not adequately fit the needs of the modern industry. It is outdated, and was certainly not implemented with the internet or widespread use of streaming services in mind.…
Read MoreSocial media, threats, and the First Amendment on WNCN
WNCN interviewed SMVT’s Amanda Martin today about threats of violence on social media and whether they are protected by the First Amendment. The piece is expected to air this evening at 5 and 6 p.m. This post will be updated with video when it becomes available. UPDATE 02/06/2015: The video is now available at WNCN.
Read MoreWake schools providing less information on new principals
The News & Observer reports that the Wake County school system has reduced the amount of information and background it provides the public about new school administrators. The story quotes SMVT attorney Amanda Martin: Amanda Martin, an attorney for the N.C. Press Association, said Wake should be providing the work histories for the current employees who…
Read MoreHugh Stevens receives NC Bar Association McNeil Smith Award
SMVT’s Hugh Stevens received the John McNeil Smith Jr. Award from the North Carolina Bar Association’s Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the ideals embodied in the Constitutions of the United States and North Carolina. Hugh’s acceptance remarks can be found on his blog, About the First Amendment. You can…
Read MoreGoogle holds closed-door reception for public officials
This week, Google held a press conference to announce that Charlotte had been selected to receive the company’s new fiber internet service. Following the announcement, the Charlotte Observer reports that the company held a private celebration that included a majority of the Charlotte City Council, raising questions about compliance with North Carolina’s open meetings law.…
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