Training
SCBA provides a full-day of news training workshop each spring. Topics are designed to appeal to anchors, reporters, MMJs, producers and photographers. SCBA prides itself on providing members with high caliber nationally known trainers . Recent speakers include Kevin Benz. Boyd Huppert, Al Tompkins, and in 2019 Bob Dotson, long time news correspondent for NBC's TODAY SHOW. For more information, call the SCBA Office at (803) 732-1186.
Criminal History Checks
SCBA is available during regular business hours, Monday - Friday, to furnish SLED criminal history checks at no charge to newsroom staff of member stations. To obtain a SLED check, email SCBA during business hours with the full name and complete date of birth. We cannot run a SLED check without the complete date of birth. We’ll email you the results as quickly as possible. After hours and on weekends, reporters must go to the SLED website and pay the $25 fee. Background checks are for news stories only. For any other type of background check, you must go to the SLED website and pay the fee.
The SLED database only returns criminal record information from South Carolina. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations offers an online Georgia Felon Search. All you need is a name and date of birth. The fee for each search is $15. North Carolina is a closed record state, which means a person’s criminal history background is protected and cannot be disseminated without his or her consent. However, the N.C. Judicial Branch provides court information and is public record. The N.C. Department of Public Safety maintains information about individuals who are serving or have served state prison sentences and those who are, or have been, on probation or parole. And the N.C. State Sex Offender Registry maintains information about registered sex offenders. Here are more details on N.C. background checks.
Occasionally, the SLED database will give an error or special processing message when it returns multiple results for a name and date of birth. Or the name and DOB on the subject’s criminal record could differ from the one provided in the search criteria, such as in the use of aliases, which may result in a false negative or false positive result. If you have questions concerning the results of your inquiry, please call the SLED Public Dissemination Unit at (803) 896-1443.
If you are an SCBA member and have questions about obtaining a background check, contact our office at 803-732-1186. All other questions about background checks should be directed to SLED.
ID Cards
SCBA produces identification cards for broadcast media personnel from member stations that are officially recognized by state law enforcement agencies. To order ID cards, send a request form along with payment and photos to SCBA.
Cameras In Courts
Video, still cameras and recorders may be used in courtrooms subject to the requirements of Rule 605 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (available at www.sccourts.org). Highlights of the rule include: 1) Seek permission from the presiding judge in advance; 2) Establish pooling arrangements in advance; 3) Conform to the equipment and personnel and sound and light criteria of the rule.
Broadcast Pooling Guidelines
READ THE RULES AND HAVE YOUR PERSONNEL WHO ARE GOING TO COURT READ THE RULES AND COMPLY WITH THEM.
Legal Support
SCBA counsel Jay Bender is available to assist members with legal issues and questions. Should you have a legal issue that you need clarification on, call (803-732-1186) or email (scba@scba.net) us and we will communicate with Mr. Bender to get an answer for you.
Mr. Bender also offers a FREE seminar to TV members titled “ Could your TV station be vulnerable to libel and invasion of privacy charges?” For more information on scheduling a seminar for your news staff, call the SCBA office at (803) 732-1186.
Legislative Workshop
Each January, SCBA partners with the SC Press Association to present a legislative workshop for Statehouse reporters, assignment editors and other news staff. This workshop typically previews the upcoming budget and other hot issues for the coming year.
