PSPA X FIRE: Covering Protests
Thu, Mar 26
|Location is TBD
A timely conversation on the challenges of reporting protests on today’s campuses. Journalists and experts unpack the ethical questions surrounding Gaza solidarity demonstrations, immigration activism, police responses, and administrative discipline—examining where journalism ends and advocacy begin
Time & Location
Mar 26, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location is TBD
About the event
About the Panel
Student journalists are often on the front lines of covering campus protests—but reporting in these environments can raise complex ethical and legal questions.
Join Marie McMullan, Student Press Counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and Lucy Tobier for a conversation on the realities of covering protests as a student reporter.
This discussion will explore the ethical challenges journalists face when reporting on demonstrations, including Gaza solidarity movements, immigration activism, encampments, police responses, and university disciplinary actions. As campuses across the country experience heightened tensions, reporters must navigate difficult questions: What counts as advocacy? What counts as journalism? And how can reporters maintain credibility when their audience and institutions are divided?
Panelists will also share practical guidance for student journalists covering protests on the ground—how to report effectively in crowded environments, understand your legal rights while documenting events, and respond if you encounter interference while reporting.