A Guide to Oral History and the Law

A Guide to Oral History and the Law
Author: John A. Neuenschwander
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2014-09-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 0199342539

According to the Oral History Association, the term oral history refers to "a method of recording and preserving oral testimony" which results in a verbal document that is "made available in different forms to other users, researchers, and the public." Ordinarily such an academic process would seem to be far removed from legal challenges. Unfortunately this is not the case. While the field has not become a legal minefield, given its tremendous growth and increasing focus on contemporary topics, more legal troubles could well lie ahead if sound procedures are not put in place and periodically revisited. A Guide to Oral History and the Law is the definitive resource for all oral history practitioners. In clear, accessible language it thoroughly explains all of the major legal issues including legal release agreements, the protection of restricted interviews, the privacy torts (including defamation), copyright, the impact of the Internet, and the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). The author accomplishes this by examining the most relevant court cases and citing examples of policies and procedures that oral history programs have used to avoid legal difficulties. Neuenschwander's central focus throughout the book is on prevention rather than litigation. He underscores this approach by strongly emphasizing how close adherence to the Oral History Association's Principles and Best Practices provides the best foundation for developing sound legal policies. The book also provides more than a dozen sample legal release agreements that are applicable to a wide variety of situations. This volume is an essential one for all oral historians regardless of their interviewing focus.

The Law of Public Communication

The Law of Public Communication
Author: Kent R. Middleton
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 626
Release: 2016-07-07
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1315455048

The Law of Public Communication provides an overview of media law that includes the most current legal developments today. It explains the laws affecting the daily work of writers, broadcasters, advertisers, cable operators, Internet service providers, public relations practitioners, photographers, bloggers, and other public communicators. Authors Kent R. Middleton, William E. Lee, and Daxton R. Stewart take students through the basic legal principles and methods of analysis that allow students to study and keep abreast of the rapidly changing field of public communication. By providing statutes and cases in a cohesive manner that is understandable, even to students studying law for the first time, the authors ensure that students will acquire a firm grasp of the legal issues affecting the media. This 2017 Update brings the Ninth Edition up to date with the most recent cases and examples affecting media professionals and public communicators.