Legal Services

Advertising and Newsroom AnswerLine | Media/FAC Hotline | HR Hotline

Advertising and Newsroom AnswerLine

What is the Advertising & Newsroom AnswerLine?
This service provides answers for editors, reporters, circulation managers and advertising personnel from ANA-member newspapers (excluding areas covered by the Media Hotline).

How do I contact the AnswerLine?
Miller, LaSota & Peters, PLC
(602) 296-0955

What does the ANA AnswerLine cost my newspaper?
The first hour of the attorney's time is paid by the Arizona Newspapers Association. If necessary, consultation and research beyond the first hour, only with approval of the newspaper, is billed at a 10% discount rate directly to the ANA member.

What does the ANA AnswerLine cover?

Political Advertising

Public Notices

Ballot Initiatives

Referenda

Disclosure requirements for political candidates

General Advertising Issues

False advertising

Obligations, liability, verification

Right to refuse

Disclosures

Contractors' license numbers

Warnings

Tobacco ads

Sweepstakes, raffles, lotteries, games of chance

Disclaimers

Libel

What is defamatory/libelous

Public figure/private citizen distinction

Publication and republishing

Group defamation

Opinions and First Amendment privilege

Truth defense
Judicial proceedings/legislative immunity privilege

Common interest privilege

Reliance on statements of officials

Abuse of privileges

Malice

Non-privileged reports

Review of proposed news articles.

Fair Reporting And Editing

Review of "responsible" sources and evidence

Reliance on police reports

Judicial proceedings

Misidentification

Slanted editing/cropping/reporting

Headlines

Retraction

Privacy

Right to privacy

Photography

Intrusion and trespass

False light


Media/FAC Hotline

How do I contact the Hotline?
Perkins Coie Brown & Bain, P.A.
(602) 351-8000

What is the Arizona First Amendment Coalition Media Hotline?
For more than 20 years, the FAC's Media Hotline has provided free over-the-phone advice to all bona fide journalists in the state, including those working for student newspapers and student broadcast stations. The focus of the FAC Media Hotline is to protect access to governmental news sources with emphasis on advice relating to the public?s rights (1) under the federal and state Open Meetings Laws to attend and report meetings of governmental bodies; (2) to obtain public records under the federal Freedom of Information Act and Arizona?s Public Records Law; (3) to resist search warrants and subpoenas; and (4) to attend, report and photograph court proceedings.

What does it cost to use the Media Hotline?
The Media Hotline is funded by the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, Inc., of which the Arizona Newspapers Association is a major contributor through member dues. It is operated by Perkins Coie Brown & Bain, P.A., the attorneys for the First Amendment Coalition. There is no cost to the user up to the initiation of litigation. If court action is required, fee and cost arrangements are between the newspaper or broadcaster and Perkins Coie Brown & Bain or other law firm. For information about law firms in Arizona that handle such cases, contact ANA (602) 261-7655 Ext. 105.

What areas of advice and assistance are offered?
Access to federal and state records and meetings; access to court proceedings and records; access to public places; opposing gag orders; protecting confidential sources; opposing subpoenas and search warrants; obtaining camera access inside courtrooms.

What is the history of the First Amendment Coalition and the Media Hotline?
The First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that was formed in 1982. Its members include the Arizona Newspapers Association, the Arizona Broadcasters Association, the Arizona Cable Telecommunications Association, the Arizona Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists. Since its inception, the Media Hotline has fielded thousands of calls and dealt with almost every type of access question imaginable.


HR Hotline

How do I contact the HR Hotline?
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
(602) 257-5200

What is the Human Resources Hotline?
The employment and labor relations attorneys from Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Phoenix, (Monica L. Goebel at 602-257-5218, Mark G. Kisicki at 602-257-5239 or Steve D. Wheeless at 602-257-5234) are available to answer manager/publisher questions about any human resources or personnel issues.

Who can use the HR hotline?
Only Publishers of ANA-member newspapers and their department heads are allowed to use the hotline.

What is the cost of the HR Hotline?
ANA members are entitled to up to two hours of consultation and advice on a particular issue paid for by the Association. If additional legal time is needed, Steptoe & Johnson LLP will provide an estimate of additional time needed and will offer a discounted fee.

When should someone call?
Anytime. It is better to receive guidance about applicable law and act accordingly, than to continue a course of action that may be based on faulty assumptions, which could become quite costly to the company.

What is covered?
The HR Hotline may be used for answers to questions about any laws and regulations governing employment and labor relations. For example, the HR Hotline attorneys can answer your questions about sexual harassment; disability, gender, age, race, and religion discrimination; wrongful discharge claims; family and medical leave act requirements; union campaigns; contract negotiations; non-compete agreements; employee discipline; accommodation of disabled individuals under the Americans With Disabilities Act; drug and alcohol testing; and wage and hour issues.