Too Much Media, LLC, John Albright and Charles Berrebbi, Plaintiffs–Respondents, v. Shellee Hale

In Too Much Media, LLC, John Albright and Charles Berrebbi, Plaintiffs–Respondents, v. Shellee Hale, Defendant–Appellant, the courts addressed whether Shellee Hale, who posted about the online adult entertainment industry on internet bulletin boards, could protect her confidential sources under New Jersey's Shield Law and the First Amendment. The Appellate Division, affirmed by the New Jersey Supreme Court, ultimately ruled that she was not entitled to the newsperson's privilege. They concluded that her activities on a public message board did not qualify as being "connected with news media" or the "news process" as intended by the Legislature, despite the broad nature of the Shield Law. Thus, Ms. Hale was compelled to reveal her sources, and the case was sent back to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this decision.

References

TOO MUCH MEDIA, LLC, John Albright, and Charles Berrebbi, Plaintiffs–Respondents, v. Shellee HALE, Defendant–Appellant

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