Two student journalists at Dartmouth College were arrested last night while covering protests on the campus. Each was charged with criminal trespass.
According to The Dartmouth, the college’s student newspaper, two of its reporters, Charlotte Hampton and Alesandra “Dre” Gonzales were both wearing press identification, and Gonzales was taking photos of the events. Among 90 people arrested that night, they were zip tied and held at a police station before being released on bail.
Gary Green, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, said punishing journalists for observing and reporting the news is unacceptable.
“We know about what is happening on campuses right now, in large part, because of the brave, steadfast work of student journalists,” he said. “They should not be arrested, intimidated or silenced for doing their jobs.”
The D, as the student media outlet is commonly known, called for the charges to be dropped.
“The College should be embarrassed,” it said in an editorial. “We expect a prompt and public apology from College President Sian Leah Beilock.”
As protests have grown at campuses across the country, more incidents involving student journalists have been reported, including the assault of four reporters at UCLA’s Daily Bruin by counterprotesters.
In a statement yesterday, SPLC highlighted the critical role student journalists have in this historic moment.
“All of us, including those on campus, are better informed when journalists can undertake their constitutionally protected duty without fear for their personal safety or wellbeing,” Green said. “Student journalists must not be attacked or threatened with arrest or disciplinary action for merely doing their jobs. We urge administrators and law enforcement to work directly with student journalists to ensure they can safely and responsibly report on the historic events unfolding across the country.”
Also yesterday, SPLC joined the College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press, Society of Professional Journalists and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in an open letter to college administrators.
“We are horrified and dismayed to see student journalists and their advisers physically attacked, intimidated by police, and unfairly restricted in their access to their own buildings,” the letter said. “Each of them is exercising the lessons imparted to them in their classes and student media operations. This maltreatment cannot continue.”
The Student Press Law Center (splc.org) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working at the intersection of education, journalism and the law to promote, support and defend the free press rights of student journalists and their advisers. SPLC provides information, training and legal assistance at no charge to high school and college student journalists and the educators who work with them.