Virginia legal term
News organization in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “News organization” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “News organization” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"News organization" means any (i) newspaper or magazine issued at regular intervals and having a general circulation; (ii) recognized press association or wire service; (iii) licensed radio or television station that engages in journalism; or (iv) business that, by means of photographic or electronic media, engages in journalism and employs an editor overseeing the journalism function that follows commonly accepted journalistic practice as evidenced by (a) membership in a state-based journalism organization, including the Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters; (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-271.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.