ABSTRACT

Most mass communications law books concentrate on the freedoms journalists have to access information and places. This chapter explains the legal rights public relations practitioners have to refuse information or access to journalists. We begin with a description of the limitations on First Amendment liberties and specifically describe the rules associated with time, place, and manner restrictions as those apply in non-public fora. In particular, we describe trespass law so that practitioners may know when they can deny journalists and the public access to their client’s facilities. We include a description of the limitations on the Sunshine Act and Freedom of Information Act so that public relations students and practitioners will know when

those laws do not impose an obligation to release information or to provide access to meetings. We conclude with a brief explanation that neither the First Amendment nor any other law prohibits public relations practitioners or advertisers from granting or denying information in an attempt to influence news coverage.