Participated with the Reporters Committee and 113 other media organizations and outlets in a letter to Minnesota officials urging them to take immediate, concrete steps to end the police arrests and attacks on credentialed and clearly identifiable journalists that occurred during civil protests. The letter states that the right of the press to document police activity is foundational to our democracy and has long been recognized and protected by the courts. Journalists who are complying with reasonable law enforcement directions when covering civil unrest are protected by the First Amendment. Targeting journalists is “a profound and clear violation of the First Amendment” and officers doing so have no immunity. The letter urges Minnesota and Minneapolis to implement a number of protocols including training and disciplinary action to protect reporters. [2020]
