Access to Plastic Surgeon's Disciplinary Hearing Presents Cutting-Edge Issue

The Daily Report's Greg Land reports on an issue of first impression in Georgia: does the public have a First Amendment right to attend a plastic surgeon's disciplinary hearing? Dr. Nedra Dodds had her license to practice medicine suspended after two of her patients died following liposuction treatments. The doctor doesn't want a local TV station to cover the hearing before an administrative law judge. The doctor's attorney argues that the privacy of information about patients bars public disclosure of Georgia Composite Medical Board disciplinary hearing, while the station's attorney argues patient privacy is not a compelling state interest that outweighs the public interest in a judicial proceeding.