Journalist faces criminal charges over coverage of protest

Re:Journalist faces criminal charges over coverage of protest by closeparen on Saturday March 24, 2018 @12:05AM (#16664805)

When the police order a crowd to disperse during a civil disturbance, should the camera crews who stay be prosecuted?

All we would have of the Civil Rights Movement are secondhand stories if we followed your principle.

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Re:Journalist faces criminal charges over coverage of protest by jpttsn on Saturday March 24, 2018 @07:48AM (#16666142)

Following the opposite principle to its extreme would also get weird.

Should someone who snapchats their friend’s burglary be off the hook?

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Re:Journalist faces criminal charges over coverage of protest by kortex on Saturday March 24, 2018 @11:25AM (#16667049)

I think there is a wide divide between a reporter with a history and a CV, and some rando with a camera.

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.

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