The Trump administration is cracking down on journalists, using the FACE Act to prosecute two reporters for simply doing their job - covering a protest in Minneapolis. Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, a former CNN host and independent journalist respectively, were arrested after reporting live from a church where protesters were gathering.
According to prosecutors, Lemon's crime was livestreaming his coverage of the event, starting with an organizing meeting and ending with the actual protest. Fort's alleged offense was approaching the pastor of the church in "close proximity" - a claim that seems ridiculous when you consider the context.
The FACE Act was written to protect reproductive clinics and providers from violence, but the Trump administration has twisted its meaning to chill dissenting voices. Courts have consistently ruled that covering protests or reporting on events of public concern is protected speech under the First Amendment.
In this case, courts have made it clear that journalists are not interfering with the church's activities by doing their job. The prosecution seems to be overzealous and trying to send a message - but what kind of democracy sends its journalists to prison for simply reporting on protests?
This isn't an isolated incident. Just last month, federal agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in a leak investigation. It's clear that the Trump administration is waging war against press freedom.
The Intercept, which has been critical of the administration's actions, is urging its readers to support their independent journalism by becoming members. By joining, you'll be helping to grow their reporting capacity, so they can cover more stories and provide a platform for marginalized voices.
We need more people like Georgia Fort - courageous journalists who are willing to take risks to expose the truth. We also need your help. Will you join The Intercept today?
According to prosecutors, Lemon's crime was livestreaming his coverage of the event, starting with an organizing meeting and ending with the actual protest. Fort's alleged offense was approaching the pastor of the church in "close proximity" - a claim that seems ridiculous when you consider the context.
The FACE Act was written to protect reproductive clinics and providers from violence, but the Trump administration has twisted its meaning to chill dissenting voices. Courts have consistently ruled that covering protests or reporting on events of public concern is protected speech under the First Amendment.
In this case, courts have made it clear that journalists are not interfering with the church's activities by doing their job. The prosecution seems to be overzealous and trying to send a message - but what kind of democracy sends its journalists to prison for simply reporting on protests?
This isn't an isolated incident. Just last month, federal agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in a leak investigation. It's clear that the Trump administration is waging war against press freedom.
The Intercept, which has been critical of the administration's actions, is urging its readers to support their independent journalism by becoming members. By joining, you'll be helping to grow their reporting capacity, so they can cover more stories and provide a platform for marginalized voices.
We need more people like Georgia Fort - courageous journalists who are willing to take risks to expose the truth. We also need your help. Will you join The Intercept today?
this is insane... the face act was never meant for something like this! 
it's like they're trying to silence the voices of protesters and journalists alike 
just because they don't like what's being said, that's not how a democracy works 
i mean, courts have ruled time and time again that reporting on protests is protected speech... but apparently, that means nothing to the trump administration 
if they're going after journalists now, what's next? 
will we start seeing reporters being arrested for just showing up at a public event? 
. it's like they think they can control what gets reported on by making examples out of people who are just doing their job. the first amendment is supposed to protect speech, not punish it 
The FACE Act was meant to protect reproductive clinics, not journalists who are trying to hold those in power accountable 
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. Journalists need to be able to report on protests and events without fear of retribution or prosecution... it's basic free speech 101 
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. We need more people speaking out against these kinds of attacks on press freedom 
. If you're as concerned as I am, consider joining The Intercept and supporting their independent journalism 
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. In this case, it's journalists like Lemon and Fort doing just that, even if they're taking some risks 
. The question is, what kind of society do we want to build where truth-telling can't happen without consequences? Shouldn't we be celebrating those who dare to report on protests, not prosecuting them? 
and can we talk about how ridiculous that 'close proximity' claim is lol 
, I mean come on! they're trying to chill free speech but really they're just silencing dissenting voices 
, we need more journalists like Georgia Fort who aren't afraid to take risks and speak truth to power