First Amendment Committee Report
Member Events, Web Sites and Blogs
by First Amendment Committee of The American Society of Journalists and Authors

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) is deeply concerned over the arrests and harassments of journalists during the recent political conventions.

Last month at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, journalist Amy Goodman and two staffers for the progressive television show "Democracy Now" were arrested and reportedly injured by police while covering protests outside the convention. Associated Press photographer Matt Rourke was arrested after police encircled the demonstrators he was photographing. Several other reporters, two university student photographers, and their faculty advisor were also arrested. The students' video equipment was seized and they were detained for 36 hours without charges. They have now been charged with felony rioting, while Goodman was charged with a misdemeanor.

"There were also reports of journalists being harassed at the earlier Democratic National Convention," notes Claire Safran, chair of ASJA's First Amendment Committee. "We need to be alert to the possibility that it could happen again, any time, any place. As Safran points out, ASJA's 1,300-plus members have long been active in the defense of free speech and a free press. "For that reason, she says, "we are dismayed at how little attention has been paid to these recent incidents and at how scant the coverage has been in the mainstream media. While we realize that the legal process needs to play out and that police need to enforce the law and prevent violence, we urge authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the St. Paul arrests and reported abuse of journalists."

ASJA's First Amendment Committee further urges that police departments across the country be more careful in the future regarding the respect of journalists to cover protests as part of their First Amendment rights. When a newsworthy event such as a protest or riot occurs, it is a journalist's job and First Amendment right to report on the incident.

The American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nationwide organization of independent nonfiction writers. It represents more than 1,300 leading freelance writers of magazine articles, books, and other forms of nonfiction writing.

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For further information, contact Alexandra Owens, Executive Director, American Society of Journalists and Authors, at (212) 997-0947.