Archive for 2008

INDIANAPOLIS – Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists are expressing great satisfaction that the city of St. Paul has decided to drop misdemeanor charges against journalists arrested while covering protests of the Republican National Convention.

Between Sept. 1 and 4, a number of journalists were arrested in St. Paul, swept up in police actions meant to quell violence during the convention. After arrests on Sept. 1 left at least four journalists in handcuffs, including “Democracy Now!” host Amy Goodman, SPJ issued a statement that called the arrests “ … an unacceptable infringement of the rights of journalists and, ultimately, a disservice to the public.” Another wave of arrests on Sept. 4 prompted SPJ leaders to call on St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to drop charges against journalists who were “ … legitimately doing their jobs … ”

With the city’s recent announcement, SPJ is pleased that the mayor and other city officials see the value of a free press and the media’s essential duty to objectively report breaking news.

“It’s good news that the charges against the journalists covering the convention protests were dropped,” said SPJ President Dave Aeikens. “While it is unfortunate they were initially arrested, this was the best result after it happened.”

Although the city is doing the right thing by dropping the charges, SPJ recognizes that there is more that could be done to prevent such occurrences from happening in the future. Ultimately, SPJ would like to encourage conversations between government officials and journalism organizations.

“We hope we can talk with law enforcement about how we can avoid this happening again,” Aeikens said. “We want police to be able to provide public safety and journalists to be able to cover the news.”

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For further information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

Contact:
Dave Aeikens, SPJ President, (320) 249-3545, daeikens@stcloud.gannett.com
Scott Leadingham, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 927-8000 ext. 211, sleadingham@spj.org

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For Immediate Release:
9/5/08

Contact:
Scott Leadingham, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (509) 859-2818, sleadingham@spj.org

ATLANTA – Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists call on St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to drop charges against journalists who were arrested while covering protests of the Republican National Convention.

According to the Associated Press, at least 19 journalists were arrested Thursday during the closing day of the convention. Other journalists were arrested during protests on Monday, which prompted a response on Wednesday from SPJ.

“We understand that police have a duty to protect and serve the public. And we understand that it can be difficult to discern the press from other rioting in the heat of the moment,” SPJ president Clint Brewer said. “But now that the dust has settled, there is no reason to press charges against journalists who clearly identified themselves and were not breaking the law.” Continue reading →