Statement on press freedom during protest coverage

As journalists spread out across the nation to cover protests against police violence, they too found themselves under attack by authorities. Police took aim at print and television reporters, photographers and freelancers, using intimidation, rubber bullets and tear gas. These actions were in perceived attempts to prevent coverage of protesters demanding law enforcement be held accountable for suffocating George Floyd. Journalists were targeted by police in dozens of locations, including multiple cities in Oregon. 

The Eugene-Register Guard captured this video of a Eugene Weekly reporter being targeted.

SPJ Oregon has also received reports of journalists in Portland who were told by police that they needed to leave public areas where they were covering demonstrations, even though they told officers that they were members of the press.

This behavior against professionals who work tirelessly to inform and educate the public is unacceptable and intolerable.

Journalists should have the freedom to gather news without fear of violence or retaliation as is protected under the First Amendment. 

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press says: “Journalists covering protests have the same rights as other members of the public to observe, photograph, and record in public places. The First Amendment protects journalists’ fundamental free speech, press, and assembly rights, which includes protection from arrest for negative news coverage or to prevent reporting on public demonstrations. Police may not prevent journalists from covering protests if the journalists are in a place where the public is allowed, and they are not disrupting or interfering with law enforcement. Simply being near a protest or other newsworthy event is not a crime.”

As journalists continue to cover protests, SPJ Oregon wants to offer guidance and access to help. We also encourage Oregon journalists to document and share with us any access issues or free press violations they encounter while doing their jobs by emailing spjoregon@gmail.com.

RCFP’s Police, Protesters and the Press legal guide helps journalists understand their legal rights at protests and this accompanying tipsheet has general advice for journalists to protect themselves before and during a protest.

RCFP suggests reporters make a plan for contacting an attorney in case they are arrested or detained. If they don't have access to an attorney or have general questions about their legal rights as journalists, they can contact the Reporters Committee's hotline at 800-336-4243 (also on the web at rcfp.org/hotline or via email at hotline@rcfp.org). We suggest journalists write the attorney's number on their arm or otherwise have it available in case their phone is confiscated.