Two journalism organizations are joining to provide legal defense funds for journalists arrested or injured covering the news. The Press Freedom Defense Fund and the National Press Photographers Association are making the move when over 50 journalists have been arrested and some 200 assaulted during protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (NiemanLab, June 8, 2020, by Sarah Scire)
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press sent a letter to New York City Mayor Dill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Dermot Shea to urge them to rein in police who have assaulted or arrested several working journalists during protests in the city. In many cases the police clearly knew they were dealing with members of the press. The First Amendment Coalition joined RCFP in sending the letter. (RCFP, June 7, 2020, by Gabe Rottman and Courtney Douglas)