Prof. Kirtley Discusses Law and Ethics of Government Payments to Miami Journalists

Professor Jane Kirtley appeared on two panels at the University of North Carolina on "The Case of the Cuban Five: Justice or Injustice?" The Cuban Five were convicted in 2005 of various charges, including conspiracy to commit espionage on behalf of the Cuban government. Their attorneys are appealing the convictions, claiming that Miami-based Cuban-American journalists, who were paid by the U.S. government-sponsored Radio/TV Marti prior to and during the trial, wrote articles that resulted in prejudicial publicity undermining the defendants' right to a fair trial. Kirtley discussed the law and ethics of journalists accepting government payments while also writing for independent media. The forums were sponsored by the UNC Law School's Center for Media Law and Policy and the Institute for the Study of the Americas.