All we would have of the Civil Rights Movement are secondhand stories if we followed your principle.
Should someone who snapchats their friend’s burglary be off the hook?
Intent, like actual intent - not what you say to get a lighter sentence - matters a lot. Some rando saying "I was filming because something something amateur reporter" has less weight than someone who can more rightfully show history of reporting, unless the rando actually demonstrates theyve been engaged in independent production before the crime.
However in this contrived situation, provided the "journalist" isn't driving the getaway vehicle, yeah, they shouldn't be charged with burglary.
Journalism is so vital to democracy, that I want lenience for reporters even when things aren't super clear cut. Justice is full of compromises.
At what point does writing a juicy headline cross from good marketing to bad ethics? Because I'm getting increasingly exhausted by the grotesque stunts getting pulled for a click. This 'journalist' was charged with trespassing because they trespassed, which is absolutely fair, there's not even any gray area here in my opinion.