CPJ offers U.S. legal guide for election coverage

This election year in the United States poses particular and heightened challenges for journalists, as they face confrontations with law enforcement at demonstrations,  raids on newspaper offices, and an increasingly hostile environment for many in the media.

The Committee to Protect Journalists is responding to the needs of journalists with an updated guide to legal rights in the U.S., including quick tips, First and Fourth Amendment rights, and information on covering the 2024 presidential election conventions, which are set for July 15-18 in Milwaukee (Republican) and August 19-22 in Chicago (Democratic).

CPJ’s advice and recommendations in the guide offer a high-level understanding of the rights of a journalist when confronted by law enforcement officers while covering a protests and political events. Topics include press credentials, trespassing rules, video and audio recording guidelines, and public access considerations.