Journalist rights remain open to attack
California Governor Gavin Newsom failed to protect people’s First Amendment right when he vetoed SB-629.
He failed to address police officers’ blatantly ignoring journalists’ right to cover public protests and demonstrations under the First Amendment.
SB-629 was intended to further protect journalists from police officers, but lacked language that would truly discourage officers from arresting journalists when they’re deemed an inconvenience or from outright assaulting.