Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Social Media, Gag Orders, and Freedom of the Press

A HYPOTHETICAL EXPLORATION OF ISSUES INVOLVING THE MEDIA, LAW ENFORCEMENT, LAWYERS, AND THE COURTS, WITH AN EXPERIENCED PANEL AND THE AUDIENCE.

Featuring Rex Smith, ’80 M.S., Tandy Lau, ’22 M.S., and Nicholas Lemann, Joseph Pulitzer II and Edith Pulitzer Moore Professor of Journalism.

Founded in 1969, the New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference brings together members of the press and the criminal legal system to promote understanding and to assure both the right to a fair trial and the protection of a free press. The conference combines a discussion of a hypothetical scenario with an overview of media law and constitutional law.

Hear from a distinguished panel of judges, journalists, lawyers, and law enforcement officials as they explore the legal, political, and ethical issues that arise during a highly publicized and turbulent criminal trial involving a gubernatorial candidate facing federal financial fraud charges, controversial social media posts, gag orders, anonymous juries, and restrictions on press access to the courts. Panelists will discuss the interplay of the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial and First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press to attend and report on trials. The full scenario is forthcoming.

This free event is open to the public and will be livestreamed. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required.