Tampa Media Lawyer David Snyder Gives Presentation
On Journalists’ Privilege to Education Group
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Tampa, Florida, August 4, 2008—Tampa media lawyer David M. Snyder spoke to a group of adults and high school student at the Jimmy Keel Public Library today about the journalists’ privilege and shield laws that protect the free flow of information to the public. The group from “Learning Is For Everyone,” an education resource organization supporting family choice in learning, www.learningis4everyone.org is studying the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Snyder’s talk was arranged by the Media Law Resource Center (MLRC) www.medialaw.org in New York City, a non-profit information clearinghouse originally organized by a number of media organizations to monitor developments and promote First Amendment rights in the libel, privacy and related legal fields. Snyder is longtime member of the MLRC defense counsel section, which consists of law firms and individual attorneys with practices focused on defending the media. Snyder reviewed the origins and principles of the journalists’ privilege, explaining that like other legal privileges—attorney-client, fifth amendment—the protection of journalists and their sources is based on sound democratic principles and public policy. Wayne Garcia, political editor of Creative Loafing newspaper http://tampa.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/index a client and friend of Snyder’s, joined in the presentation, providing a journalists perspective on sources, shield laws and interaction between the media and state and federal judicial systems.“Thank you so much, Mr. Snyder, for joining us at the First Amendment class at Jimmy Keel Library yesterday,” teacher Terri Willingham wrote following the presentation. “It was a small group, but we're a very appreciative one. Your talk was informative and insightful and we really enjoyed having the opportunity to hear Mr. Garcia, as well. We'll help get the word out about shield law efforts, and I'll certainly let other educators know about the great resources you offer.”
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