# RCFP Legal Defense Hotline

> Free legal assistance for subpoenas, records access, newsgathering rights, and defamation threats.

**Source:** https://fieldwork.news/tools/rcfp-legal-hotline
**Official site:** https://www.rcfp.org/legal-hotline
**Category:** legal

## Who it is for

Working journalists in the US who need quick legal guidance on press freedom issues.

## Editorial take

The RCFP hotline is the first call most US journalists should make when they hit a legal wall — staffed by attorneys who specialize in media law and respond fast.

## Best for / not for

**Best for:** Responding to subpoenas, fighting for access to public records, understanding newsgathering rights, and handling defamation threats or cease-and-desist letters.

**Not for:** Non-US legal issues or matters unrelated to journalism. For international cases, see Media Defence or TrialWatch.

## Pricing

- **Pricing:** Free
- **Free option:** yes

## Ownership & business

- **Owner:** Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
- **Funding model:** Nonprofit donations
- **Business model:** Nonprofit
- **Built for journalism:** yes

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Canonical HTML: https://fieldwork.news/tools/rcfp-legal-hotline
Full dataset: https://fieldwork.news/llms-full.txt
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