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06/01/2020

Statement and info on the First Amendment right of journalists to cover protests

On Sunday night, we and the Ohio Association of Broadcasters worked with our respective members in Cleveland to resolve a situation that occurred when members of the Cleveland Police Department informed journalists they were not exempt from the mayor’s curfew and could not be on the streets.

The mayor clarified during his press briefing that the curfew did not apply to properly credentialed journalists.

We were fully prepared, and had already consulted with our legal counsel at BakerHostetler, to support our members if they had to file an emergency court challenge to the curfew order.

Thankfully, that was not necessary.

However, there have been a number of attempts around the country in recent days to restrict the media's ability to cover the protests. In addition, members of the media around the country have also occasionally been targeted by the police.

The ONMA is sharing the following information with our member journalists to help them cover the protests. In addition, we urge members to check out this fact sheet from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on protecting yourself during protests.

Finally, if any journalists at member papers are either kept from covering the protests or targeted by police for doing their jobs, contact the ONMA's Monica Nieporte at mnieporte@ohionews.org. The ONMA also recommends that all journalists covering the protests have access to their paper's general counsel in case they need immediate legal assistance.

1. DO I HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO COVER A PROTEST?
Yes, with a few limitations. Freedom of the press protects the right to collect and disseminate news, but the right is not absolute. Members of the media are subject to the same general laws as other citizens and do not have a special right of access to sources of information. However, police may not arrest a reporter or deny access simply to retaliate for negative news coverage or to prevent reporting on a public demonstration.

2. DO I HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO RECORD THE POLICE?
Most courts recognize a First Amendment right to record the public activities of law enforcement, but the issue is not settled in all jurisdictions.To reduce legal risks, journalists should clearly identify themselves as members of the press, record from safe distances, and remain open and transparent about recording.

3. CAN POLICE SEARCH AND SEIZE ME AND MY EQUIPMENT?
Police can briefly detain you if they have reasonable suspicion to believe you are engaged in criminal activity, and they can “frisk” or pat you down if they have an objective, reasonable belief that you are armed and dangerous. If police have probable cause to believe you are committing a crime, they can arrest you. Although a search of someone’s property generally requires a warrant issued by a court, during an arrest, police can search and seize personal property on your person and in your immediate vicinity. Although police cannot search the contents of a cellphone without a warrant, they can still seize it during an arrest, examine it for physical threats, and secure it while a warrant is pending. Other recording devices, such as cameras, may have similar protections, depending on the jurisdiction.

To mitigate the possible harm of a search or seizure, journalists can use live streaming platforms, minimize the amount of data kept on devices, and demand a court order for password requests. Journalists can also avoid consenting to searches, while remaining respectful.

4. CAN I RESIST POLICE ORDERS BASED ON MY RIGHTS?
Possibly, but it is not recommended. Depending on the context and the applicable state laws, doing so could put you at risk of arrest for various crimes such as failure to obey, failure to disperse, obstruction of justice, and disorderly conduct. Journalists should comply with requests from law enforcement but can calmly discuss their rights if they feel a request violates those rights. Remain respectful when interacting with police and avoid acting in a manner that incites violence, creates danger, or interferes with law enforcement.

5. WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO AVOID ARREST?
You should identify yourself as a member of the press, be aware of what is happening around you during the event you are covering and avoid breaking the law.

(Note: Adapted from information originally created by the Michigan Press Association.)

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