Oregonian Publishing Co. v. O'Leary

The plaintiffs seek a declaration that the closed hearing provision of ORS 136.617 violates Article I, section 10, of the Oregon Constitution and the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The circuit court and the Court of Appeals held that the provision was consistent with both constitutions. Oregonian Publishing Co. v. O’Leary, 80 Or App 754, 724 P2d 822 (1986). We hold that it violates Article I, section 10, of the Oregon Constitution and reverse.

I

Plaintiff Oregonian Publishing Co. publishes The Oregonian, a daily newspaper based in Portland and widely…