"The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort on Friday signal an increasing willingness for the federal government to criminalize newsgathering activities. While the legal merits of those arrests have yet to be tested, they are a red flag for journalists and newsroom leaders everywhere. Given the speed and unpredictability of recent federal actions - including the seizure of a Washington Post reporter's equipment earlier this month - every newsroom must prepare now to defend its right to report the news."
"Every journalist should fill this out. Keep a physical copy with you. Share it with your editor, if you have one, and someone you trust outside of work. First Amendment legal support For journalists who are not U.S. citizens: Newsroom-level preparation Every newsroom should create a centralized, secure database with emergency contact information for each journalist in the event of a detention or arrest."
Federal arrests of journalists and recent seizures of reporters' equipment signal an increasing federal willingness to criminalize newsgathering. Every newsroom must prepare now to defend its right to report, given the speed and unpredictability of federal actions. Poynter is creating a series of resources for newsrooms, editors and reporters to respond to legal threats and protect independent reporting, with tools to be released in coming weeks. Immediate steps include completing a personal emergency form, keeping a physical copy, and sharing it with an editor and a trusted contact. Newsrooms should build a centralized, secure database with emergency contact information for each journalist and seek legal support when needed. Upcoming resources will cover newsroom response planning, source protection, and transparent public communication.
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