Lawyer for news outlets fights to protect reporters’ freedom of speech globally.
Richard N. Winfield, a well-known First Amendment lawyer, passed away on October 22 in Manhattan at the age of 91 due to head injuries sustained from a fall. Throughout his career, he served as the general counsel for The Associated Press (A.P.) and other media organizations, where he focused on protecting press freedoms. He played a crucial role in safeguarding reporters’ confidential sources, challenging efforts to restrict access to court proceedings, advocating for cameras in courtrooms, and defending newspapers from libel suits related to articles from wire services like The A.P.
In addition to his work with media organizations, Winfield was instrumental in expanding the scope of freedom of information laws. During the 2004 presidential campaign, he assisted A.P. reporters in obtaining access to the military records of President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry to verify their service histories. This effort aimed to clarify whether Bush had fulfilled his service obligations and if Kerry had accurately recounted his combat experiences.
After retiring from the law firm Rogers & Wells in 2000, Winfield co-founded the International Senior Lawyers Project. This organization mobilizes volunteer lawyers to advance free expression, promote court reform and accountability, and defend journalists against government censorship and judicial restrictions. One notable case involved the defense of Issa Amro, a Palestinian human rights activist facing charges in Israeli military and magistrate courts in Hebron for alleged public order disturbance, hate speech, and insult.
Richard N. Winfield’s legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to upholding press freedoms, promoting human rights, and supporting free expression worldwide. His contributions to the legal profession and advocacy for journalistic integrity have left a lasting impact on the field of media law and civil liberties.
Source: The NY Times
