Official Editorial Policy

 

In 1975, the Board of Governors adopted the following:

1. It is intended that editors of newsletters be relatively free to express their

individual points of view, including discussion of cases actively on appeal within the following limits:

In the discretion of the editors, discussion of a particular case may include a comparison of the decision with opinions in prior cases presenting similar issues. It may also include editorial comments concerning the wisdom or propriety of the decision, as perceived by the editor. However, a newsletter editor should not urge a court to take specific action in a pending case, e.g. to grant rehearing or a petition for certiorari, or for leave to appeal.

2. Each newsletter is to contain a disclaimer as to the contents, indicating that the views contained therein do not necessarily represent the view or opinion of the Association but rather of the editor(s) or contributor(s).

3. Sections (and committees as well) may make public statements or support legislation (under certain specified circumstances) when such positions are not contrary to action previously taken by either the Assembly or the Board of Governors.

4. Notwithstanding any or all of the above, it is within the province of a section council to act as the editorial board for the newsletter of its section.

In 1991, the Board of Governors approved the following policy:

Any article printed in a newsletter that expresses views contrary to the ISBA

position is allowed as long as the existing official position of the ISBA is

disclosed.

Further, the Board a number of years ago adopted a Publications Committee

recommendation, later amended to make it voluntary, that in essence says:

A newsletter committee of between three and five members may be appointed by the chairperson of the section publishing a newsletter to review and edit each newsletter before publication.

The Publications Committee adopted a policy that each section publish a minimum of four (4) newsletters each year.

In 2001, the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board adopted the following policy:

Promotion in ISBA newsletters of non-ISBA-affiliated products or services by or on behalf of those with a financial interest in those products or services is prohibited unless it is paid advertising.

In 2002, the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board adopted the following policy:

While vigorous debate is permitted in ISBA newsletters, personal attacks are not.