About MLRC

The Media Law Resource Center – formerly the Libel Defense Resource Center – is a non-profit information clearinghouse originally organized by a number of media organizations to monitor developments and promote First Amendment rights in the libel, privacy and related legal fields.

Memberships

MLRC has three types of members.  Media Members include media companies (publishers, broadcasters, web content providers), insurers and professional and public interest organizations.  The Defense Counsel Section includes law firms and individual attorneys with practices focused on defending the media.  Associate members are overseas counsel with media practices, but who may do some claimant work. 

Programs and Services

MLRC’s major projects and programs include various publications, services and events.

MLRC 50-STATE SURVEYS
Media Libel Law • Media Privacy and Related Law • Employment Libel and Privacy Law

MLRC 50-State Surveys provide comprehensive information on the law in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Media Privacy and Media Libel Law editions also include surveys on the law in the federal Circuit Courts of Appeal and Canada, and Media Libel Law has a survey of the law of England. Updated annually, and together comprising more than 3,500 pages, the MLRC 50-State Surveys are prepared by experts in each jurisdiction and edited by MLRC. They are available for purchase by members and non-members.  More Information...

MLRC BULLETIN

Issued quarterly, the MLRC Bulletin publishes the results of MLRC-initiated statistical studies on media libel, privacy and related litigation; symposia; and legal research. The MLRC Bulletin is distributed to MLRC members and by subscription to non-members and libraries.  More information...

LITIGATION RESOURCES
includes Brief Bank • Expert Witness Bank • Jury Instruction Bank

MLRC Reference Banks assist defense attorneys and their clients in First Amendment actions. Available materials include briefs, expert witness information, closing arguments and jury instructions from hundreds of libel, privacy and related cases.

MLRC MEDIALAWLETTER

Published monthly as a service to MLRC members, this publication is designed to keep members informed of current developments in media libel, privacy, and related law. Each issue contains summaries of newly issued decisions and statutory developments.  More information...

CONFERENCES

MLRC sponsors several conferences, including an intensive, two-day conference for defense counsel only, regular forums on international media law including attorneys from the United States and several foreign countries, and an annual conference focused on entertainment law issues.  More information...

MLRC ANNUAL DINNER

Featuring distinguished speakers, including prominent judges, journalists, attorneys and public officials and the presentation of MLRC’s William J. Brennan, Jr. Defense of Freedom Award given to those whose actions have advanced the cause of freedom of expression.

DRAFT MODEL SHIELD LAW

MLRC has created a draft of a model shield law.  As we develop it, we believe the model will be a useful tool for states interested in adopting shield law legislation, as well as for states looking to amend existing statutes.  If you are interested in receiving a copy of the draft model shield law, please contact MLRC at (212) 337-0200 or medialaw@medialaw.org.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

MLRC also serves as a leader and spokes-organization for the media in connection with statutory or related initiatives. The many issues MLRC has been active on in recent years include privacy legislation, agricultural disparagement, Anti-SLAPP laws, right of publicity laws, and proposals for damage limitations in First Amendment litigation.

MLRC has gained recognition for its multifaceted research projects. MLRC’s studies and data have been widely cited in the popular press as well as in scholarly and professional publications, amicus curiae and other briefs, and in judicial opinions in state and federal courts.

MLRC handles countless questions each year about media libel, privacy and related law from journalists all over the world, academics, lawyers and others with an interest in the state of the law or individual cases.