Constitution Day was observed by the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust on Sept. 17 at the “First Amendment Under Fire” public panel event. Central Valley journalists gathered in the Smittcamp Alumni House on campus, inviting Journalism Professor Jim Boren to moderate the discussion.
Panel participants included First Amendment Coalition Advocacy Director Ginny LaRoe, The Modesto Focus Editor Marijke Rowland and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Program Director Angélica Salceda. Topics discussed included safety for on-site reporters, the push for new California media laws and the struggle for journalists to obtain politicians’ contact information or legal documents. Panelists expressed their worry for the future of the press and questioned whether lawmakers were going to abide by the constitution’s first amendment.
“This federal administration has done more harm to free expression and violated press freedom [more] than any other administration. I accept that truth because of the body of research. It’s not my opinion,” LaRoe shared during the panel.
She continued to list some barriers that she’d seen throughout her time in the media, including FBI agents invading reporter’s homes, restrictions on spaces where reporters are allowed, the struggle to get responses to public record requests and political figures abusing their power to silence journalists.
Rowland added onto the discussion, giving a newsroom editor’s advice on what to do when sources are withholding requested information.
“As a working journalist, when you’re having issues getting access or getting the things you need, you should let the public know that.” Rowland said. “I think from a working journalist’s perspective, you know, our best defense is transparency.”
An attendee from the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Esther Quintanilla, was asked to share some of her key takeaways from the panel discussion.
“Journalism is always going to persevere over any type of regulations and the government will continue to try to stop it,” Quintanilla shared. “I think journalists are stronger when they’re together.”
As there are growing concerns within the news and media industry, panelists highlighted the importance of practicing collaboration, transparency and accountability amongst each other. Journalists aim to continue to stand up for freedom of the press in the Central Valley and remind others of the role that the First Amendment plays within it.
