News

Social media, threats, and the First Amendment on WNCN

February 5, 2015

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…

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Wake schools providing less information on new principals

February 2, 2015

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.…

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Hugh Stevens receives NC Bar Association McNeil Smith Award

January 31, 2015

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…

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Google holds closed-door reception for public officials

January 29, 2015

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…

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NC DOT charges $468 to see public records

January 14, 2015

The News & Observer reports that the state Department of Transportation is demanding that the Southern Environmental Law Center pay a $468 fee to review state emails and other files. The paper quotes SMVT partner Amanda Martin: Amanda Martin, an…

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Brandon J. Huffman to be a panelist at 5th Annual Duke Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium

January 13, 2015

Brandon J. Huffman will be speaking at the 5th Annual Duke Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium on Friday, January 16. Brandon will join an esteemed panel of attorneys in discussion of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in ABC v. Aereo. Aereo was…

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UNC identifies four employees facing dismissal after academic fraud scandal

January 2, 2015

In a provisional settlement with a coalition of media organizations, UNC-Chapel Hill released the names of four employees who were terminated or retired in the wake of the Wainstein Report on academic fraud at the school. SMVT represents the media organizations…

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N.C. Court of Appeals dismisses public records action against Assistant Director of Administrative Office of the Courts

December 16, 2014

In the suit, plaintiff, a former Durham County district attorney, sought to obtain emails related to her service from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The suit named the Assistant Director of the AOC as a defendant in both his…

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Judge orders UNC to mediation in records dispute

December 13, 2014

In a lawsuit filed by SMVT on behalf of a coalition of 10 media organizations against UNC-Chapel Hill, Judge Judge Donald Stephens of Wake County Superior Court has ordered the parties to mediation. The lawsuit seeks access to public records related…

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