S2855, A4429 (Public Notices) – NJFOG Opposes Bill, Supports NJPA Public Notices Service

S2855 / A4429 – “Electronic Publication of Legal Notices Act”; permits publication of legal notices by government agencies and persons on official government notice websites instead of newspapers. This bill was fast-tracked. It was first introduced to legislative committees on Dec. 12, 2016 and was slated for a vote by the Senate and Assembly today, Read More …

A3626 further erodes public access to crime records

NJFOG agrees with the NJ Press Association and the Press of Atlantic City’s position against bill A-3626, which proposes an overly-broad exemption to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) for the identities of violent crime victims and witnesses. The editorial points out that victims’ needs are already balanced against the needs of the public under Read More …

“What’s New in NJ Media Law?” program on February 19, 2016, 11 AM – 2 PM

UPDATE (1/30/2016): The Forum has been moved to Newark. The new location is Room 395 of Rutgers Law School (Newark campus), 123 Washington St. Also, the event is now FREE, but registration is still required so as to maintain a head count for the purposes of food (lunch is still being provided) and room capacity. Read More …

Appellate Court to rule on who can file an OPRA lawsuit

UPDATE (12/18/2015):  For NJ Appellate Court ruling, see https://njfog.org/2015/12/18/2707/. — What has come to be called “first strikes” or “pre-emptive strikes” by public agencies is a hot topic these days with a growing number of records requestors finding themselves as unwitting defendants in court actions initiated by public agencies. Since the OPRA statute mandates reimbursement Read More …

NJPA court brief challenges a public agency’s right to sue under OPRA

UPDATE (12/18/2015):  For NJ Appellate Court ruling, see https://njfog.org/2015/12/18/2707/. — The New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) has filed an amicus brief challenging a records custodian’s ability to file a declaratory judgment lawsuit in response to an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request. “It addresses the prickly issue of whether public agencies can initiate lawsuits under Read More …