Constitutional Law

KingCast asks Columbus Bar Association for ethics clarification on First Amendment rights and being a journalist.

By Christopher King

I would greatly appreciate clarification on these questions:

1. Is it unethical for me to accept money as an investigative journalist on legal cases and if so, please provide rule and case law?
2. Is it unethical for me as an investigative journalist to write about legal cases and to offer an opinion and if so, please provide rule and case law?
3. Is it unethical for me as a citizen to posit an amicus brief on a criminal case and if so, please provide rule and case law?

As you probably know I was reporter, then Columbus Editor of the Call & Post newspaper, and worked as a daily reporter for the Indianapolis Star prior to law school. At no point in time did anyone ever challenge me on ethics at either of these publications or at any other freelance publication in Ohio including Cleveland Scene, Cleveland Edition, Cincinnati Entertainer or NIP Magazine. Last year I received Mayoral Commendation (ratified by the Board of Aldermen) for First Amendment and Right-to-Know law and a supporting editorial from the Nashua Telegraph on the very same School Board speech issue on which Jerry Doyle prevailed. The District recently paid him $7,500.00 in damages for violating his First Amendment Rights. I initiated that case long before it got to John Waddy, Esq. as reported in this 25 April 2000 Freedom Forum story.

As such, I clearly know this area of journalism and it should be perfectly legal for me to research similar issues for people who have questions, as long as I use the name ?Christopher King, J.D.? and have a clear disclaimer that I am a suspended attorney. Or if I simply say "Christopher King" with no reference to law school or being an attorney. Please advise by the close of business, Friday 17 October 2008 with case law and substantive analysis. If you need more time please advise me in writing. I always believed that the law should be of, for and by the people, and accessible to them. To the extent that I can do that using legal research tools and careful word searches as an investigative reporter the Columbus Bar Association should support and encourage my efforts.

Thank you in advance for your continued consideration,

Christopher King, J.D.

Full post as published by Chris King's 1st Amendment Page on October 05, 2008 (boomark / email).