A citizen journalist who was denied access to a press conference by the police under the pretense of not being “media” had his constitutional rights violated, leading to a judge ruling in his favor this month. This decision serves as a reminder that working in traditional media does not grant extra free speech protections.
Justin Pulliam, known for his YouTube channel Corruption Report, which often criticizes law enforcement, was forcibly removed from a Texas press conference in July 2021 at the behest of Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan. This action was deemed a violation of the First Amendment by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison, who stated that Fagan should not be granted qualified immunity due to the clear infringement of Pulliam’s rights.
Judge Edison emphasized that Pulliam’s activities, as a citizen posting opinionated news content about law enforcement on social media, are protected by the First Amendment without question. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the legitimacy of citizen journalists compared to traditional media outlets.
Another case involving citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal in Laredo, Texas, who was arrested for her reporting, further illustrates this issue. Villarreal, known for her popular Facebook page where she covers news live from various scenes, has faced legal challenges for her critical reporting on law enforcement.
While Villarreal’s legal battles have not been as successful, the ongoing discussion about the rights of citizen journalists in comparison to mainstream media outlets continues. The case of Pulliam, who was arrested in December 2021 for filming police during a mental health call, raises questions about potential biases against independent journalists.
