Journalist organizations release statement on move by City of Los Angeles that violate press rights

The Los Angeles Police Department, under the guidance of the City Attorney, released photographs of officers as part of litigation in response to a public records request.

Officers sued the department over it, claiming privacy violations, and the City of Los Angeles has now taken two legal actions against the journalist and a watchdog group that published the images last year. The latest move by the City Attorney seeks to hold the journalist and watchdog group responsible for any damages granted to the officers.

In other words, the blame for releasing the photos -- and the associated financial burden -- is being shifted to include a journalist for doing their job reporting on the criminal justice system.

This blatant attack on the First Amendment could limit speech and journalistic work, and moreover, punish reporters personally. This could also set a dangerous precedent making not only journalists, but ANY citizen, financially liable for receiving public records that the city itself vetted and chose to release. This chills everyone’s constitutional rights and harms the public’s ability to know how their own government is operating.

Groups signing the statement:

Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles board

CCNMA, Latino Journalists of California

Los Angeles Press Club

Media Guild of the West, The NewsGuild-CWA Local 39213

National Association of Hispanic Journalists board

Radio Television Digital News Association

Society of Professional Journalists, Los Angeles

Society of Professional Journalists, National

Joey Scott, IWW-Freelancer Journalist Union