Editorial

In California, a student journalist, Cameron Burns, for the University of California’s newspaper the Daily Californian was arrested for filming a protest.

Burns was following a group of protestors who were demonstrating against tuition increases and education budget cuts in California. For about ten minutes, he followed a group of about 150 protestors until he realized they were on the freeway and was trying to ask a policeman how to get off, when he was arrested for unlawful assembly (Cal. Penal Code 407) and obstructing a public place (Cal Penal Code 647.C), as well as others in the demonstration group.

Journalists of all types, student or professional, should not be punished for covering a story. Burns was not there to protest, he was there as a duty to his newspaper to cover the demonstration.

Policemen, before just simply arresting a journalist for being present at a protest or other such event, should give the individual a chance to prove that he or she is not associated with the group; via press pass, outstandingly different clothing, or having been witnessed interviewing participants.

In the future, policemen need to take more care by not automatically assuming everybody who is at the scene of a demonstration or riot is a culprit and should be arrested. Take actions if one is claiming to be a journalist to make sure their rights are not violated and are not needlessly arrested.


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