Media Law and Literacy Blog

As written in the First Amendment Encyclopedia, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement has pushed into a violent territory for years, mostly since the death of Michael Brown, or earlier, Trayvon Martin in the hands of law enforcement. These riots have sparked counter-protests, battles in the streets, and other tragic events that have now exploded into the 2020s. While looking the article over, and looking into other instances of the BLM movement throughout the country, it is clear that there have been violations of the First Amendment by both violent protestors and the police force of America.   Police supporting the protests Protestors continue to use the right to assembly and speech to transmit their message to the masses of the government. Same with the police force respecting these groups by staying far away from them. Some officers even kneeling down in a sign of support. However, as protests move on, many begin to get rowdy and unfortunately, violence starts as barricades are ...

Given recent protests and rioting against police brutality, many news outlets are quick to cover the story. However, as tensions rise, some of these newscasters are being silenced live. Take, for example, Omar Jimenez, a CNN journalist who was arrested on live TV for apparently no exact reason.   Omar Jimenez being arrested on Camera. Mr. Jimenez was reporting with his crew in Minneapolis as Police in riot gear pushed back rioters and began to make a couple of arrests. Jimenez only stood by and reported on what he was observing as the police line continued to push up. Once the line caught up to him, Jimenez and his team alerted the police they were press and asked officers where they should be moved. However, officers arrested Jimenez, his cameraman, and his producer and forced them out to the side and into police custody.   Courtesy of Committee to Protect Journalist Since that day, many press personnel has had their freedom of the press violated such as being arrested for re...

The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial body of all time. Its nine justice’s duty is meant to interpret the Constitution and draw the lines within the power. However, it has also meant that the court is also drawn in controversy and scrutiny no matter what decision has been made.   Current members of the Supreme Court The Justices have opinions on how well they are viewed in both the eyes of the public or the eyes of the government. Some justices enjoy their works, being able to see so much of the advantages to the fact that they had 200 years of history to guide them into decision-making processes and judgment of cases that exist today. Others view it as a curse, that they have so much power based on themselves, that if they make the wrong decision then it all falls apart.   The Justices are usually respectful towards one another, shaking hands and listening to one another’s opinions on matters the court will judge. While many justices have opinions already set before...

    On June 1st, 2020, the President of the United States did something most of the population found unprecedented, unacceptable, and disgusting. A peaceful protest was held within Lafayette Square, as it is typically every day. This protest was meant to honor the life of George Floyd.  However, rather than letting the protestors have their voices heard, their cries met with conversation, Attorney General William Barr, on orders from President Trump, demanded that the crowds be cleared in what was known as a tactical command push. Donald Trump's police escort on June 1st After Lafayette Square was cleared.      While a curfew was in effect for the nation’s capital, it did not go into effect until 7PM. The protest was broken up violently at 6:35 PM for the sole reason that Donald Trump wanted a photo-op with a Bible. In the events of a clearing, one journalist from Australia covering the event was attacked by police, her cameraman beaten and herse...

Hello. My name is Ben Frondorf. I am a Media Production and Popular Culture Major at High Point University. My dream is to open a production house after graduation and start making movies as soon as I can. I am also a Creative Writing minor. I love to write fiction but I have tried to push into non-fiction as well. I do hope this class can help me with that as well.  I enjoy video editing and posting those videos down on my YouTube Channel as well as streaming over on Twitch. My community is a little small, but it is nice to know people enjoy what I do.