ACP supports journalist access to collegiate newsrooms

Download a PDF of this statement here.

March 31, 2020

Associated Collegiate Press supports the important work of all student media outlets across the nation as the staffs cover the COVID-19 crisis. ACP would like administrators to know college journalists have the right to continue to work from their newsroom.  

Laura Widmer, ACP executive director, cites the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has identified workers who support radio, television and media service, including news reporters, studio, and technicians for news gathering and reporting, as essential workers. 

Collegiate journalists have the same rights as professional journalists and should be treated as such. They should have access to their newsrooms to cover this pandemic. They have a job to do and the government has said they should be doing that job and reporting the news to their audience.

We will continue to support our members and the rights of college media. Any additional questions should be directed to Laura Widmer, executive director. She can be reached at laura@studentpress.org.