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Law

What rights do journalists have when reporting on a protest?

Marchers carry a sign reading "build bridges, not walls" as they walk across a suspension bridge
Nick Swartsell
/
WVXU
Protesters on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge July 17, 2025.

A protest earlier this month on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge ended with the arrest of more than a dozen people, including two journalists for Cincinnati CityBeat.

What rights do journalists have when they’re reporting on protests, and police start making arrests? Should they be treated differently from members of the public?

RELATED: 4 face felony charges for Roebling protest, while others are dismissed

On Cincinnati Edition, we ask a constitutional law scholar and discuss where the case stands.

CityBeat posted a statement about the arrest of the paper's journalists on Facebook.

Guests:

  • John Bickers, associate dean for faculty development and professor of law, Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University
  • Nick Swartsell, general assignment and longform reporter, WVXU

Ways to listen to this show:

  • Tune in live at noon ET M-F. Call 513-419-7100 or email talk@wvxu.org to have your voice heard on today’s topic.
  • Catch the replay on 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB at 8 p.m. ET M-F.
  • Listen on-demand. Audio for this segment will be uploaded to this page by 4 p.m. ET., or subscribe to our podcast.
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