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About The Bar

Media & Communications Law Committee

Mission

The Media & Communications Law Committee provides bar members a forum for sharing information about the law applicable to free speech and communications. The committee explores legal issues pertaining to the full spectrum of communications and media, including print, broadcast, cable and emerging technologies.

Recent Seminar

First Amendment and the U.S. Supreme Court

The Media and Communications Law Committee held its annual First Amendment seminar June 26 at the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton. The panelists discussed First Amendment cases on on social media and religious organizations before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court will also decide several significant cases that will affect the scope of the First Amendment in schools. Panelists were Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel, Bryan Gowdy of Creed & Gowdy, Freddy Funes of Toth Funes, UM Law Professor Lili Levi, and FIU Law Professor Howard Wasserman. David Karp from Carlton Fields moderated.

2025 First Amendment Seminar Cases

Committee Activities

First Amendment Seminar

The committee plans the First Amendment Seminar that is typically held in conjunction with the Annual Convention.

The Reporter's Handbook

Authored by the Media & Communications Law Committee, the Reporter's Handbook serves as a resource guide for members of the media about topics in the legal profession.

The Reporters' Workshop

Each fall, in most years, the committee presents a two-day, on-site event for print, TV, radio and online journalists new to the courts and legal beats or new to Florida.

Parker Thomson Awards for Outstanding Journalism

The committee presents the Parker Thomson Awards for Outstanding Legal Journalism in Florida to honor a longtime champion of the First Amendment and counsel to journalists.

Presentations found on committee pages are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace professional judgment. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the presenters individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion of The Florida Bar or its committees. The Florida Bar does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented. Any feedback should be provided to the event organizer.

Staff Liaison: Ruby Munguia, 850-561-5764

Committee Members

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