This week’s lecture consisted of guest speaker Charles Davis discussing media law and the rights given to journalists under the first Amendment.
Essentially, we as reporters, have the ability to write/publish anything we so choose. However, it is sometimes challenging to obtain interviews or media footage for any particular story.
Davis said that journalists should anticipate pushback, especially when taking into consideration public officials or people in power.
He gave the example of a reporter who went to a public event to acquire media footage of a politician, but was told she could not do so. Instead of respectfully suggesting that she was protected under the first Amendment of the Constitution, she gracefully backed out of the situation. We should never take “no” for an answer in these situations; we should try to compromise.
Not in a public forum? Ask first because it will help to avoid legal pains! Also, consent is easy to get, especially if we work our charm.
This is something which I have learned to do as a journalist working on the Occupy Como story. I try to be as polite as possible, and introduce myself, even though the occupants are protesting in a public forum.
Ashleigh Laurynn 
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