Campus #BlackLivesMatter Protest Bans Reporters, Unless They ‘Articulate Their Solidarity’

Reporters were banned from a Smith College sit-in supporting the #BlackLivesMatter protesters at the University of Missouri… unless they “articulate their solidarity” with their movement, that is.

Masslive.com’s Laura Newberry was sent to cover the protest at the Massachusetts women’s college. But Newberry writes that “reporters who arrived at the sit-in were met with a clear message: Keep out. ”

“We are asking that any journalists or press that cover our story participate and articulate their solidarity with black students and students of color,” a protest leader told Newsberry. “By taking a neutral stance, journalists and media are being complacent in our fight.” She also complained that “[the] media has historically painted radical black movements as violent and aggressive.”

Stacey Schmeidel, Smith College director of media relations, said the college supported the activists’ decision. “It’s a student event, and we respect their right to do that, although it poses problems for the traditional media,”she said.

The Smith College media blackout comes after members of the press were physically barred from covering similar protests on Mizzou and Loyola University‘s campuses.

[Image via Smith College]
——
>>Follow Alex Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!