WASHINGTON, June 16, 2025 --
News Advisory:
What: Satellite Media Tour (SMT) with Gabe Rottman, VP of Policy, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Bill McCarren, Director of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club
When: Friday, June 20 (interview slots available starting at 8:00 am Eastern through 11:00 am Eastern)
Where: Originating from the National Press Club studios.
Booking Information: Contact Melanie Ierardi (202-662-7592 or mierardi@press.org) to arrange a window.
News hook: During the recent protests in Los Angeles, viewers witnessed journalists being shot with rubber bullets, pepper balls, and tear gas while being physically pushed, and in some cases detained by police. On Tuesday, June 10, National Press Club President Mike Balsamo sent a letter to Sheriff Robert Luna in an effort to create a useful dialogue between law enforcement and the media. LAPD responded with their own letter on Thursday, June 12. With National Guard troops still federalized and U.S. Marines now deployed, communicating about safety issues for journalists is paramount. The First Amendment itself is in the balance. Last weekend, more protests took place related to No Kings Day and the military anniversary parade. It is time to look at lessons learned from the past week, as more mass protests are likely to come.
BACKGROUND:
After the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the LAPD provided significant safety training to more than 4,000 of their personnel. This training included instructions on the best practices for working safely with journalists. The investment in the training was in the millions, and some of the training has indeed been put to use by officers. But recent events have made it clear that the need for re-training is high.
Gabe Rottman is vice president of policy for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Previously, Mr. Rottman has worked for PEN America and the American Civil Liberties Union. He is a practicing attorney with a focus on the intersection of press freedom, newsgathering, and technology. Mr. Rottman received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Bill McCarren was Executive Director of the National Press Club for 15 years, until shifting in 2024 to form the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club. The Center focuses on helping journalists in trouble. Over the years, he has led major campaigns to help journalists overseas and is now increasingly focused on journalists working in the U.S. He has appeared on television this year on outlets including BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Fox 5-DC, NewsNation, and others.
CALL TO ACTION:
Your tax-free donation can support the work of the Press Freedom Center URL here: https://www.press.org/freedom-center
Working journalists in the field who encounter problems such as arrests or detention or who are assaulted by police or have their equipment destroyed or taken may contact the RCFP Hotline at 1-800-336-4243 or hotline@rcfp.org.
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