Legal Advice Services
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?
LaSota & Peters, PLC
(602) 296-0955 or (602) 248-2900
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 |
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 |
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.
Media/FAC Hotline
Perkins Coie Brown & Bain, P.A.
(602) 351-8000
HR Hotline
LaSota & Peters, PLC
(602) 296-0955 or (602) 248-2900
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.
