Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
February 2025 - A Latin prescription for redaction headaches
January 2025 - Judge rules witness names should stay in court records
December 2024 Magazine - A possible workaround to MSHP's crash reports change
November 2024 Bulletin - Highway patrol begins redacting names from crash reports
November 2024 Magazine - Regarding unpaid internships
September 2024 Bulletin - Going to court for press access
September 2024 Magazine - Know what areas of a case attorneys can discuss
August 2024 Bulletin - Summer miscellanea from the MPA Hotline Attorney
August 2024 Magazine - Should the state decide if press is bona fide?
July 2024 Bulletin - Nepotism — A hazard for unwitting pols
July 2024 Magazine - Requesting redacted records
June 2024 Bulletin - School contracts aren't elementary
May 2024 Bulletin - Issue of legislators redacting constituent information could go before Missouri Supreme Court / Judge Alok Ahuja Dissenting Opinion
June 2024 - Thanks for the memories
May 2024 - When a public figure doesn't want publicity - Examples of court document redactions/More examples of court document redactions
April 2024 - The meeting's agenda is 'tentative', its minutes are not
March 2024 - Fixing the tools to fight misinformation
February 2024 - Protection of the P.R.E.S.S.
January 2024 - Who is your business' registered agent?
December 2023 - The permanency of paper public records
November 2023 - Where do you draw the line on speech?
October 2023 - Open, and increasingly shut, records
September 2023 - Prepare yourself for when law enforcement comes knocking
August 2023 - Use this off-year to refamiliarize yourself with ethics of advertising
July 2023 - The opening up of Case.net could introduce new frustrations
June 2023 - U.S. Supreme Court decisions boost 'Section 230' foundation for online publishers
May 2023 - Encourage local government attorneys to get Sunshine educated
April 2023 - Casenet accessibility brings questions about case closures
March 2023 - Marijuana advertising brings news risks, rewards
February 2023 - Different ways the public can review the people's business
January 2023 - Your voice is needed to oppose efforts to dim Sunshine
December 2022 - Sunshine Law for thee, not for me
November 2022 - The fight for public notices is never-ending
October 2022 - Voting and the media: Elements of a healthy democracy
September 2022 - What about the data police cameras collect
August 2022 - Case.net is going to get a lot more accessible
July 2022 - Publishing public records and the right to privacy
June 2022 - Don't be resigned to public bodies accepting resignations in closed session
May 2022 - Proposed law would 'SLAPP' libel plaintiffs
April 2022 - The politics (and legal expectations) of political advertising
March 2022 - Every publisher contributes to the foundation of press freedom
February 2022 - Sunshine Law changes could alter how history's first draft is written
January 2022 - Coroner's inquests, online decency and Twitter: Key issues from 2021
December 2021 - Take time in 2022 to build up relationships with your courts
November 2021 - When it comes to marijuana ads, media has protections
October 2021 - Make sure your documents are recorded by the book
September 2021 - Show-Me the beef and how it's processed
August 2021 - The taxman's notices cometh
July 2021 - The ongoing case for remote access to Case.net
June 2021 - On the public funding of 'government speech'
May 2021 - When the historical record and takedown requests collide
April 2021 - Determining the privacy of a public figure's tweets
March 2021 - Unpublishing requests gaining new legs around the country
February 2021 - Technology’s role in governing continues to raise questions about transparency
January 2021 - Your readers should know they also benefit from Section 230
December 2020 - Missouri Supreme Court case could clarify Sunshine Law 'research' costs
November 2020 - Explain to your readers why due diligence matters
October 2020 - Use election season to remind politicians of your priorities
September 2020 - Appeal to the 'need to know' when requesting COVID info
August 2020 - Paper or digital: An important Sunshine distinction
July 2020 - Coronavirus' effects on courts linger, even with return to 'normal'
June 2020 - A potpourri about data access
May 2020 - A new meaning for cameras in the courtroom
April 2020 - 'Public' meetings may be going electronic, but you still have access
March 2020 - Know how proposed legislation will affect your work
February 2020 - You have power to file Sunshine Law complaints
January 2020 - Expect new challenges for MPA in 2020
December 2019 - Juvenile records still limited under Sunshine Law
November 2019 - Work together to identify, fix problems
October 2019 - Getting into the weeds of marijuana advertising
September 2019 - Sunshine needs changed for digital shade
August 2019 - Advertising firearm sales is allowed, but publish what you are comfortable
July 2019 - Do your research before covering courts
June 2019 - Without a proper shield law, Missouri journalists need to protect themselves
May 2019 - Splintered Sunshine is not good for Missouri
April 2019 - Missourians support ethics regulations in politics but will the courts?
March 2019 - Good communities need informed citizens
February 2019 - Changes to the Sunshine Law could cripple reporters
January 2019 - Making the public's information less public
December 2018 - Think the best, but prepare your office for the worst
November 2018 - Legal notices get your readers talking (with you and each other)
October 2018 - The more things change, the more they stay the same
September 2018 - The permanency of a newspaper's electronic archives
August 2018 - How well does your insurance protect you?
July 2018 - Public officials can still too easily avoid the Sunshine
June 2018 - More changes for court camera rules
May 2018 - State courts need to reconsider public's access to documents
April 2018 - Changes coming for cameras in courts
March 2018 - Closed coroner’s reports only make people think the worst
February 2018 - Bill could offer needed Sunshine Law changes
January 2018 - The curious case of the disappearing texts
December 2017 - Expect takedown requests in 2018
November 2017 - Sunshine should clarify use of private email
Octoober 2017 - In matters of public record law
September 2017 - Protect yourself when reporting on leaks
August 2017 - Delivery charges not subject to sales, use tax
July 2017 - Sunshine Law still applies as tech changes
June 2017 - Protecting the public's right to know
May 2017 - Government transparency, even in death
April 2017 - Potential changes in store for liquor advertising laws
March 2017 - The legal costs for Sunshine requests
February 2017 - New year brings important digital housekeeping tasks
January 2017 - Knowing the teeth of the Sunshine Law
December 2016 - Why do public bodies violate the Sunshine Law?
November 2016 - The fine line between rights and privacy
October 2016 - The Sun shines on all in Missouri, but not always equally
September 2016 - Political reminder: Properly publish 'paid for' postscripts
August 2016 - Knowing the Sunshine Law and recording public meetings
July 2016 - Missouri Press' grab bag of legal issues
June 2016 - Bodycam law will allow eventual public access to videos
May 2016 - Lawsuit against blog could affect newspaper websites
April 2016 - House Bill 1993 would add to Missouri's Sunshine Law
March 2016 - Police body cam footage has place as a public record
February 2016 - Sunshine Law key to keeping government accountable
January 2016 - Sunshine case improves rights of records
December 2015 - Workers' comp won't cover contract carriers
November 2015 - Witness for the prosecution?
October 2015 - Partnership for Sunshine: 'What Works City'
September 2015 - Consider economic realities, delivery speed
August 2015 - A refresher course in law and ethics
July 2015 - To redact or not to redact ...
June 2015 - Police video access is a 'win-win'
May 2015 - Sunshine means partly cloudy to some
April 2015 - A 'Sunshine Hero' is remembered
March 2015 - What's in your wallet should not limit access to records
February 2015 - Making a difference at the state capitol
January 2015 - Tap county records for new subscribers
December 2014 - Same-sex announcements: not 'if' but 'when'
November 2014 - Courtroom media access needs revision
October 2014 - Court issues public hearing decision
September 2014 - First Amendment fallout in Ferguson
August 2014 - Whats 'fair' in 'fair use?
July 2014 - Privacy: a balancing act
June 2014 - Is government transparency on Death Row
May 2014- Can a judge remove case records before a trial
April 2014 - How does copyright law affect content on Facebook.pdf
March 2014- You can set requirments for advertising in your paper
February 2014 - Time to talk with legislators about rules on using drones
January 2014 - Court rules closed records might also be open records
December 2013 - Court recognizes role of notices in newspapers
November 2013 - Treat public notices (legals) with respect they deserve
October 2013 - Thanks for helping fight override of SB 436 veto
September 2013 - Decide now how to react if HB 436 veto overridden
August 2013 - Government intrusion points to need for shield
July 2013 - Bill on governor's desk patently unconstitutional
June 2013 - How much privacy can we expect in age of Internet?
May 2013 - Missouri Lawyers Media wins open hearing ruling
April 2013 -Ask Legislators for support of Sunshine Law changes
March 2013- Sweepstakes OK if you remove 1 of 3 elements
February 2013 -'Legal notice' has no definition in statutes
January 2013- 'Critical incident' response guidelines may be closed
December 2012 - Required office posters available free online
November 2012 - Ads your papers creates are copyrighted, too!
October 2012 - "Missouri Plan" works
September 2012 - Statutes govern notices of election in counties
August 2012 -Post-Dispatch gets pay record from city office
July 2012 -Getting permission will keep you out of trouble
June 2012 -Get lawyers to pay for legal notices they place
May 2012 -Ad reps play "stamp the lawyer" at their meetings
April 2012 - Audits reveal wholesale flouting of sunshine law
March 2012 - Development authorities should do business openly
February 2012 - Investigators need licenses; are journalists investigators?
January 2012 - Remember 'Superbowl' is registered trademark
December 2011 - Can privacy withstand assault of technology?
November 2011 - Court rule, rulins differ on openness of warrants
October 2011 - Closed meeting notice needs specific reason
September 2011 -Housing ad guidelines will be in the next bulletin
August 2011 -Reporters' tweets give instant narrative of trial
July 2011 - Check your political ad attribution policy now!
June 2011 - Just to read a record shouldn't cost money
May 2011 - Should state decide who are journalists?
April 2011 -Protect yourself from copyright allegations
March 2011 -Audit reports may get law enforcement help
February 2011 -Blogs, Facebook pages have potential for libel
January 2011 - Closing public meeting requires specific reason
December 2010 - You need not expunge archived crime reports
November 2010 - Closed meeting notice needs specific reason
October 2010 - Courts rule on website, open meeting lawsuits
September 2010 - You are protected from defamatory web posts
August 2010 - Electronic public records caught in technical limbo
July 2010 - State courts working on electronic access system
June 2010 - Audit shows frequent Sunshine Law violations
May 2010 - Case.net files should offer all information
April 2010 - Streaming video from Missouri's high court
March 2010 - Kansas case shows need for Shield Law
February 2010 - Divorce files closed until final dissolution
January 2010 - Let your voice be heard on how money is spent
December 2009 -
November 2009 - Be ever vigilant about ads in your newspaper
October 2009 - Court decision could delay records request
September 2009 - Learn phrase 'This is a Sunshine Law request.'
August 2009 - Attorney General sues district over openness
July 2009 - Editors reports local police restrict access to records
June 2009 - Rep. Jones' Sunshine Bill efforts much appreciated
May 2009 - Sunshine Bill still alive, legislator records exempt
April 2009 - Sunshine Law bill need your calls to legislators
March 2009 - Koster plans extensive Sunshine Law training
February 2009 - Work rules changes you need to know
January 2009 - Record retention rules should be part of law
December 2008 - Internet is a great tool, but it raises questions
November 2008 - Judges don't like defendant secrecy
October 2008 - Attribution required on all campaign ads
September 2008 - You'll have to answer questions about ethics
August 2008 - We have allies in fight for open government
July 2008 - Election season brings advertising questions
June 2008 - Politics trump need in Missouri Legislature
May 2008 - Sunshine Law is not unduly burdensome
April 2008 - What Newspapers print can still result in change
March 2008 - Many bills filed relate to open records, meetings
February 2008 - Dear new UM president: Please keep system open
January 2008 - Google, states working to ease records search
December 2007 - Sunshine Law gets an 'F' in ranking of all states
November 2007 - Exciting to see Federal Shield Law progressing
October 2007 - Sunshine Law getting more action than ever
September 2007 - Can City fire employee who said it broke law?
August 2007 - Newspaper writers can hurt our openness effort
July 2007- Federal Law may extend shield to some bloggers
June 2007- Advertising Q&A
May 2007- Housing act violations can be very expensive
April 2007- News stories about bingo, raffles are OK
March 2007- Probes of law officers must be open records
February 2007- Shield Law bill again filed in state Senate
January 2007- Proposed shield law not absolute privilege
December 2006- What level of cost ends access to public records?
November 2006- Government openness lost champion in August
October 2006- Know Political Disclaimer rules
September 2006- Directed verdict in libel suit
August 2006- Law officers in control at emergency scene
July 2006 - Candidates in same group get equal ad rates
June 2006- Court opinions offers some interesting ideas
May 2006- Ohio HIPAA ruling may help emergency news
April 2006- Shield Law bill hits wall
March 2006- AG wrong about county committees
February 2006- Beware of selling reprints of news pictures
January 2006 - Political committees subject to Sunshine Law
December 2005- Supreme Court could get two "openness" cases
November 2005 - Tips to avoid being sued to libel
October 2005- Check work comp rules to see if you are covered
September 2005- Get required work posters free from government
August 2005- Reporters need secret source privilege
July 2005- Shield Law discussion is national
June 2005- Reporter privilege rights still changing
May 2005- Blogging, Newsmasters, and New Journalism
April 2005- Juvenile court rules change
February 2005- Sunshine defines public body
January 2005- Housing Ad Questions
December 2004- Time to retrain your Notary
November 2004- Update your Archives
October 2004- E-Mail and The Sunshine Law
September 2004- Access must be given to online meetings
August 2004- Overtime rules in the newsroom
July 2004 - Two-tiered penalties in Sunshine Law
June 2004- Access to records had a bad month
May 2004- Paper may need broker's license
April 2004- Papers need to sue to make sun shine
March 2004- Recent rulings keep courts open
February 2004- Four opinions in 2003 provide guidance
January 2004- Publications reveal attitude on openness
December 2003- Officials leery of on-line records
November 2003- 'Fair use' rule applies to 'news' photographs
October 2003- Keep 2 basics in mind with 'Do Not Call' law
September 2003- Board members clash over secrecy of records
August 2003- Group using Internet to skirt Sunshine Law
July 2003- Understanding a paper's legal status
June 2003- Reviewing basics of Sunshine Law
May 2003- Libel plaintiff must show actual damage
April 2003- Juvenile court secrecy getting high attention
March 2003- Custodian of records needs to get request
February 2003- Put copyright notice in all ads you create
January 2003- Ethics Commission decisions available
April 2002 - Subtle lessons from Sept. 11
October 2001 - Our Freedom may be a casualty