(Harrisburg, PA) -- Speaking before a group of broadcast journalists today Nauman Smith Attorney Craig J. Staudenmaier advised that story filing time constraints will impact the process of accessing government information for broadcast journalists under the new PA Right To Know Law, which takes effect January 1, 2009.

Noting the lead time for a broadcast story is much more compressed than in print media, Staudenmaier said, "broadcast investigative reporters have to pay particular attention to the process when requesting information." He said there are nuances which normally can lead to denials or delays, and, "it's important for reporters to understand when and how to stand their ground in that process."

A government agency must respond to a request for a record within five business days with either the record requested or an explanation as to why that record is not public. The agency may ask for a 30-day extension, but if the agency denies the request, the reporter may contact the Office of Open Records, which then has 30 days to make a decision.

"There are new procedures for making requests -- how and to whom to make them, Staudenmaier said.

"It's also important to understand how the Office of Open Records functions in Harrisburg. The courts can become involved quickly and there are applicable fines for delays, so it's fundamental for broadcast journalists to have working knowledge of the law's intricacies."

Mr. Staudenmaier specializes in print and broadcast media cases addressing access issues, subpoena of reporters, privacy issues and defamation claims. He is a lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors.

He has played a fundamental role in shaping issues of Right to Know Law in Pennsylvania in recent years through representation of various media, individual and business interests before government agencies, as well as his widely recognized successes in litigation before the Commonwealth and Supreme Courts in landmark cases pertaining to media access and public right to know as lead counsel in the successful Penn State University/Paterno and PHEAA cases.

"Our Right To Know Practice Group is available to provide free seminars on the subject to applicable media organizations." Mr. Staudenmaier said.

Founded in 1871, Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, LLP, is the oldest law firm in continuous existence in Harrisburg. For further information on this subject or to request a seminar notice about the firm's RTK Practice Group, please visit the Nauman Smith Web site at www.nssh.com/rtk or contact Craig J. Staudenmaier, Esq. at 717.236.3010.