New partnership offers legal advice to indie digital journalists

The Online Media Legal Network will provide legal assistance to independent digital journalists via the Online News Association, the Citizen Media Law Project announced today. The association, part of Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society, has more than 1,600 professional members who gather or produce news for digital presentation. The new collaboration offers them access to media, intellectual property and business lawyers nationwide. “Journalists starting up their own sites now need to focus on issues that help them create and sustain their businesses,” said Jane McDonnell, association executive director. “This partnership helps address one of the most critical—providing a legal safety net for small news operations.”