Courtesy Joseph Rushmore
Too often, police arrest journalists for doing their jobs. These arrests and prosecutions chill important reporting.
Arrests and prosecutions of journalists often violate the First Amendment, and they undermine the public’s right to learn about newsworthy events.
Data from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker shows that journalists are at heightened risk of arrest while covering protests. But police have also arrested reporters just for gathering news or asking questions. Journalists should never be arrested for doing their jobs.
Featured Items
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Guest opinion: Incarcerated journalist calls out ‘relentless’ retaliation by prison officials
Inmates can force positive change through journalism. But they need support from the outside world
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Bail terms bar illegally arrested Alabama journalists from reporting
Unconstitutional prior restraint adds to pattern of retaliation and censorship
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FPF statement on inexcusable arrests of Alabama journalists
Grand jury secrecy rules are not prior restraints on journalism
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Deferred prosecution agreements silence and extort journalists
Authorities chill press freedom when they condition dropping baseless charges on journalists agreeing to behave and paying fines
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Arrests of independent journalists should make headlines too
When cases that don’t involve the mainstream press don’t get the attention they should, it results in bad law that harms the rights of all journalists
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‘Cop City’ indictment threatens press freedom
Reckless charges cite everything from publishing zines to holding press conferences as components of protesters' purported conspiracy
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All eyes are rightfully on Marion, but these ten other press freedom violations also deserve attention
The raid in Kansas was uniquely egregious but it was far from the only newsworthy recent attack on the press
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Source protection must survive journalist’s death
The Nevada Supreme Court should bar the search of murdered reporter’s devices
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Recording cops up close is not a crime
Requiring observers to keep a distance from police undermines press freedom and violates the First Amendment
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In allowing NC journalist convictions, judge gets the Constitution backward
No, arresting protesters does not require cops to also arrest journalists