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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Mainstream media outlets in Tennessee are claiming their reporting on law enforcement activities and locations falls under constitutionally protected speech after lawmakers chastised local Fox13 Memphis for “urging citizens to report the locations of federal law enforcement officers conducting operations.”
A letter sent to the station’s general manager stated Fox13’s reporting “undermined public safety and put officers’ lives at risk.” It was signed by several Republican lawmakers including Sen. Brent Taylor, Rep. Mark White, Rep. John Gillespie, Rep. Kevin Vaughan, and Rep. Tom Leatherwood.
The letter read in part, “A safe and thriving Memphis benefits all of us- citizens, businesses, and your station as well. But encouraging the public to disclose the whereabouts of federal law enforcement officers in our community does just the opposite. It risks compromising ongoing operations and jeopardizes the safety of the very officers who are working hard to enforce our laws and protect this community.”
According to The Tennessean, the letter did not explicitly state what coverage the lawmakers were referring to, but Fox13’s website did publish a page on Oct. 1 titled “Federal Crime Crackdown Task Force Tips” which contained a link to “send a tip on the location of federal authorities.”
“Fox13 is committed to monitoring the movements of federal authorities across Memphis and documenting the impact the ‘Memphis Safe Task Force’ has on our community. If you see federal authorities, such as U.S. Marshals, FBI, DEA, ATF, or National Guard, send Fox13 a tip on their location,” the site reportedly read.
As the page was deleted sometime recently, only archived versions of the webpage were available, and Fox13 did not respond to requests for comment from other outlets.
The Tennessean states reporting on the location of law enforcement is a “constitutionally protected activity and common aspect of robust news coverage,” which is true, but fails to mention that the media does not have a right to be any place the public is not allowed or to disrupt law enforcement officers in their duties, including with threats, incitement to lawless actions, harassment, or as an intent to obstruct a criminal investigation.
Media may not engage in unlawful conduct under the guise of gathering news, and publicly reporting such information like locations or operations could also fall under anti-doxxing laws depending on a state’s definition and the nature of the information shared.
Kevin Goldberg, a vice president and “First Amendment expert” at the Freedom Forum, (whose advisory council is full of those attached to leftist, Islamic, and anti-religious organizations), agreed with The Tennessean’s assessment that Fox13’s activities fell under protected speech.
“Urging people to give information on law enforcement’s location, that still does not cross the line into any aiding or abetting of crimes, threats, incitement, or any areas of unprotected speech,” he said. “That requires an actual intent for people to do harm to these law enforcement agents. And that clearly doesn’t exist. They were stating the truth so people can be more informed and make decisions on their own.”
Yet ICE Agents, as one of the 13 federal agencies with a presence in the city as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, are facing more than a 1,000% increase in assaults against them, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Under such circumstances, reporting on the locations or activities of federal agents could be used by protestors or others with anti-law enforcement sentiments to harass or otherwise impede the officers and would therefore likely not be considered constitutionally protected reporting.
“It is outrageous that a local TV station would work against these efforts by tipping off offenders and endangering the officers sworn to protect us. This irresponsible reporting must stop so law enforcement can do its job without interference,” said Sen. Paul Rose (R-Covington-District 32), another signer of the letter sent to Fox13.
As of Oct. 7, the Memphis Safe Task Force has made 321 arrests since starting operations last week with approximately 45% of those arrests on ICE warrant pickups according to a breakdown from the Department of Justice.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
