ABSTRACT
Virtually every existing mass communications text begins with an explanation of the US legal system. That information is not repeated here, but is supplemented with explanations of the misperceptions that are often created because most mass communications law texts are prepared from the narrow perspective of journalism. Specifically this chapter begins with a very brief listing of some of the nonexistent rights often claimed by journalists and a correction of the often-misused terminology that describes the few legal rights and liberties that can be legitimately claimed by journalists. Here we try to correct some misconceptions about journalists’ legal rights, because
often journalists try to use those “rights” to coerce information or access from public relations practitioners.
