Exam CIPP-US topic 1 question 68 discussion

Media Records and the Privacy Protection Act The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 provides an extra layer of protection for members of the media and media organizations from government searches or seizures in the course of a criminal investigation. PPA was passed in the wake of the 1978 Supreme Court case of Zurcher v. Stanford Daily. In that case, police used a search warrant to look through a newspaper’s unpublished photographs of a demonstration. Under PPA, government offcials engaging in criminal investigations are NOT permitted to search or seize media work products or documentary materials “reasonably believed to have a purpose to disseminate to the public a newspaper, book, broadcast or other similar form of public communication.” In practice, rather than physically searching a newsroom, “ The PPA effectively forces law enforcement to use subpoenas or voluntary cooperation to obtain evidence from those engaged in First Amendment activities

Page 367- PPA was drafted to respond to police physical searches of traditional newspaper facilities.

One more vote for A

If you go by the 'US Private Sector Privacy' learning material - then A is the right answer. As has been mentioned refer to Chapter 13, 13.3.7. Page 367

A is correct. IN IAPP book page 367

Yes, the PPA protects individuals; however, the PPA was drafted in direct response to the Zurcher decision: In 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Zurcher v. Stanford Daily that law enforcement could obtain search warrants to search newsrooms for evidence related to criminal activities. This decision raised concerns that such searches could impede the ability of journalists to do their jobs and gather information without fear of government interference.

D is the right answer. A is worded to intentionally confuse. The PPA applies to any individual collecting information intended for public dissemination. Therefore a journalist's camera at the scene of a protect or rally is protected - the PPA is not so narrow to be initially intended to only apply to newsrooms. A newsroom search was merely the catalyst that led to its adoption.

The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 is legislation passed in the United States that protects journalists and newsrooms from search by government officials. The act protects "work products" and "documentary materials," which have been broadly interpreted.

D is the right answer. The Act was drafted to protect individuals and entities from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government in the course of obtaining materials for use in a criminal investigation. It establishes a higher standard for newsroom searches, but it should not be confused with what the question is asking -- WHY was it drafted.

The Privacy protection act protects journalists