Caitlin Vogus of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, April 2, 2024, reports that already in 2024, there has been four arrests or detentions of journalists covering protests. Police are still routinely detaining journalists in spite of successful lawsuits against law enforcement. But even if the journalists ultimately prevail in court, they are still prevented from covering protests to provide the public with knowledge of important events.
When students staged a sit-in at Vanderbilt University in March in support of sanctions on Israel, they invited Nashville Scene reported Eli Motycka, but Motycka was arrested, although never charged, when he tried unsuccessfully to enter the building where the sit-in was located. The university responded to criticism of their role by issuing a new policy that all reporters must request and receive clearance to be on campus. (Tennessee Lookout, March 28, 2024, by J. Holly McCall)