Ginny LaRoe
@ginnylaroe.bsky.social
Advocacy Director at the First Amendment Coalition
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
If you’re a reporter with questions about what you and others are allowed to do in and around polling places on Election Day, we’ve got answers. Join us for a Q&A on 10/28 1 PM PT about our new election day access guide firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Your Detailed Guide to Election Day Access
We’re thrilled to offer our latest Reporter’s Field Guide to help journalists report on elections.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you’re a reporter with questions about what you and others are allowed to do in and around polling places on Election Day, we’ve got answers. Join us for a Q&A on 10/28 1 PM PT about our new election day access guide firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
California journalists: Let us know what you think of our new resource. We are hosting a Zoom Q&A next week. firstamendmentcoalition-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
October 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
California journalists: Let us know what you think of our new resource. We are hosting a Zoom Q&A next week. firstamendmentcoalition-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
A California county’s top election official excluded journalists he doesn’t like from receiving press releases.
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Supervisors unanimously condemn Shasta election official's decision to restrict press access – Shasta Scout
Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis responded by saying county supervisors, including the three who voted to appoint him in May, are “confused.” Nevertheless, he’s agreed to post press releases on the co...
shastascout.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A California county’s top election official excluded journalists he doesn’t like from receiving press releases.
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
“The board unanimously respects the right of the press to have free and unfettered access to public information. We condemn Mr. Curtis’ action of excluding the press and encourage him to maintain a high level of transparency and access to public information.”
Supervisors unanimously condemn Shasta election official's decision to restrict press access – Shasta Scout
Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis responded by saying county supervisors, including the three who voted to appoint him in May, are “confused.” Nevertheless, he’s agreed to post press releases on the co...
shastascout.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
“The board unanimously respects the right of the press to have free and unfettered access to public information. We condemn Mr. Curtis’ action of excluding the press and encourage him to maintain a high level of transparency and access to public information.”
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
“The government may not condition its distribution of press releases on its perception of what publications are deemed ‘legitimate.’”
FAC is representing @shastascout.bsky.social in this letter to Shasta County's elections official after he said the outlet was not "legitimate" and illegally removed her from a media release distribution list.
FAC Represents Newsroom After Shasta Elections Official Illegally Excludes its Journalists from Media Release Distribution
Advocacy
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
“The government may not condition its distribution of press releases on its perception of what publications are deemed ‘legitimate.’”
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s thin-skinned elections chief, stopped sending news releases to @shastascout.bsky.social because he didn't like its reporting.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
Shasta Registrar of Voters Curtis to stop sending out election update press releases
The First Amendment Coaltion threatened litigation after Shasta Scout was allegedly exlcluded from receiving news releases from Curtis' office.
www.redding.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s thin-skinned elections chief, stopped sending news releases to @shastascout.bsky.social because he didn't like its reporting.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
We are pushing back on behalf of the public we serve after being restricted by the local election office. A free press is central to a healthy and civically-engaged community.
FAC is representing @shastascout.bsky.social in this letter to Shasta County's elections official after he said the outlet was not "legitimate" and illegally removed her from a media release distribution list.
FAC Represents Newsroom After Shasta Elections Official Illegally Excludes its Journalists from Media Release Distribution
Advocacy
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
We are pushing back on behalf of the public we serve after being restricted by the local election office. A free press is central to a healthy and civically-engaged community.
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
¡Atención, periodistas! Hoy publicamos una guía para los reporteros que cubren la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración en California. Ofrecemos consejos sobre cómo acceder a los registros públicos, las cortes y los centros de detención. firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/gui...
Guía para periodistas: Aplicación de las leyes de inmigración
Esta guía está diseñada para ayudar a los periodistas que cubren la inmigración en California a comprender el acceso a los registros públicos estatales y locales, las cortes de inmigración y los…
firstamendmentcoalition.org
September 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
¡Atención, periodistas! Hoy publicamos una guía para los reporteros que cubren la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración en California. Ofrecemos consejos sobre cómo acceder a los registros públicos, las cortes y los centros de detención. firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/gui...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Today, @freedom.press filed three FOIA lawsuits seeking records on:
1. Efforts to prosecute CNN for reporting on ICE agent tracking app
2. Firing of FOIA official who handled one of our requests
3. ICE's access to data on ~79M Medicaid enrollees (filed w. @404media.co)
1. Efforts to prosecute CNN for reporting on ICE agent tracking app
2. Firing of FOIA official who handled one of our requests
3. ICE's access to data on ~79M Medicaid enrollees (filed w. @404media.co)
Three new FPF FOIA suits target threats to transparency, press freedom
Because the public can’t participate in a secretive, censorial government
freedom.press
September 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today, @freedom.press filed three FOIA lawsuits seeking records on:
1. Efforts to prosecute CNN for reporting on ICE agent tracking app
2. Firing of FOIA official who handled one of our requests
3. ICE's access to data on ~79M Medicaid enrollees (filed w. @404media.co)
1. Efforts to prosecute CNN for reporting on ICE agent tracking app
2. Firing of FOIA official who handled one of our requests
3. ICE's access to data on ~79M Medicaid enrollees (filed w. @404media.co)
We hope California cops & courts reporters will find this useful. We kept in mind the needs of both veterans of the criminal justice best and interns who may be thrown on these stories.
Tune in tomorrow for a 30-min chat about guide highlights and how to make the most of it.
Tune in tomorrow for a 30-min chat about guide highlights and how to make the most of it.
Our new guide to covering police shootings in California has dozens of reporting tips, as well as links to a host of resources.
The guide's author, Thadeus Greenson, will answer journalists' questions about the guide in a virtual Q&A on 9/17 at 1pm PT. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
The guide's author, Thadeus Greenson, will answer journalists' questions about the guide in a virtual Q&A on 9/17 at 1pm PT. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Your Detailed Guide to Covering Police Shootings
A guide designed to help reporters use state transparency law to inform in-depth coverage of police shootings
firstamendmentcoalition.org
September 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
We hope California cops & courts reporters will find this useful. We kept in mind the needs of both veterans of the criminal justice best and interns who may be thrown on these stories.
Tune in tomorrow for a 30-min chat about guide highlights and how to make the most of it.
Tune in tomorrow for a 30-min chat about guide highlights and how to make the most of it.
California police beat reporters:
Join us for a quick chat on Wednesday to go over this new resource you can use the next time you have to cover a shooting by a police officer.
Join us for a quick chat on Wednesday to go over this new resource you can use the next time you have to cover a shooting by a police officer.
FAC will host a virtual gathering with journalists to walk through our latest Reporter’s Field Guide on police shootings to discuss how we put it together and answer questions. Register and check out the guide. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Your Detailed Guide to Covering Police Shootings
A guide designed to help reporters use state transparency law to inform in-depth coverage of police shootings
firstamendmentcoalition.org
September 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
California police beat reporters:
Join us for a quick chat on Wednesday to go over this new resource you can use the next time you have to cover a shooting by a police officer.
Join us for a quick chat on Wednesday to go over this new resource you can use the next time you have to cover a shooting by a police officer.
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
This bill will not make politicians safer but it will make government less transparent. Lawmakers should stop AB 1392. www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/17/a...
A San Diego lawmaker’s bill aims to prevent political violence. It will hurt accountability, transparency advocates warn.
If passed, legislation to bar reporters from accessing officials’ and candidates’ home addresses would ‘hurt trust in government and elections,’ group says.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:42 PM
This bill will not make politicians safer but it will make government less transparent. Lawmakers should stop AB 1392. www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/17/a...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
NEW: The ACLU SoCal and some of the best lawyers in the game filed a federal lawsuit against Sec. Kristi Noem & DHS on behalf of myself and other reporters, as well as legal observers and protesters.
@lapressclub.bsky.social
@aclusocal.bsky.social
@newsguild.org
@acatwithnews.bsky.social
@lapressclub.bsky.social
@aclusocal.bsky.social
@newsguild.org
@acatwithnews.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
NEW: The ACLU SoCal and some of the best lawyers in the game filed a federal lawsuit against Sec. Kristi Noem & DHS on behalf of myself and other reporters, as well as legal observers and protesters.
@lapressclub.bsky.social
@aclusocal.bsky.social
@newsguild.org
@acatwithnews.bsky.social
@lapressclub.bsky.social
@aclusocal.bsky.social
@newsguild.org
@acatwithnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Without journalists, we wouldn't know what's happening beyond our front doors. That's why FAC and free press partners such as @lapressclub.bsky.social @freedom.press @spj-norcal.bsky.social have been working tirelessly all week to defend press rights.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fi...
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fi...
Fighting for Press Rights at California Protests
See the 2024 Impact Report >>
firstamendmentcoalition.org
June 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Without journalists, we wouldn't know what's happening beyond our front doors. That's why FAC and free press partners such as @lapressclub.bsky.social @freedom.press @spj-norcal.bsky.social have been working tirelessly all week to defend press rights.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fi...
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fi...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Los Angeles immigration raids protests began on June 6. The @pressfreedomtracker.us is investigating:
- 47 assaults on journalists
- 8 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 5 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
- 47 assaults on journalists
- 8 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 5 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
June 16, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Los Angeles immigration raids protests began on June 6. The @pressfreedomtracker.us is investigating:
- 47 assaults on journalists
- 8 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 5 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
- 47 assaults on journalists
- 8 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 5 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Message to our members about the lawsuit we have filed over LAPD attacking press.
Among reminders: "Above all, we hope you and your colleagues are OK. Some of you are not. Please take time for self care, your health and safety are more important than any story. "
lapressclub.org/la-press-clu...
Among reminders: "Above all, we hope you and your colleagues are OK. Some of you are not. Please take time for self care, your health and safety are more important than any story. "
lapressclub.org/la-press-clu...
June 17, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Message to our members about the lawsuit we have filed over LAPD attacking press.
Among reminders: "Above all, we hope you and your colleagues are OK. Some of you are not. Please take time for self care, your health and safety are more important than any story. "
lapressclub.org/la-press-clu...
Among reminders: "Above all, we hope you and your colleagues are OK. Some of you are not. Please take time for self care, your health and safety are more important than any story. "
lapressclub.org/la-press-clu...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
28 press rights orgs joined a letter to DHS Secretary Noem, calling out acts against press during this weekend's protests in Los Angeles.
I won't be naive about impacts of one letter. But we are united for our free press, and this puts them on notice about points of law and policy.
More soon.
I won't be naive about impacts of one letter. But we are united for our free press, and this puts them on notice about points of law and policy.
More soon.
Coalition Condemns Harm to Journalists Covering Protests Against ICE Raids in Los Angeles
firstamendmentcoalition.org
June 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
28 press rights orgs joined a letter to DHS Secretary Noem, calling out acts against press during this weekend's protests in Los Angeles.
I won't be naive about impacts of one letter. But we are united for our free press, and this puts them on notice about points of law and policy.
More soon.
I won't be naive about impacts of one letter. But we are united for our free press, and this puts them on notice about points of law and policy.
More soon.
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Police assaults on journalists recall the violent aftermath of the George Floyd uprising, by @jonallsop.bsky.social.
www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
Attacks on the Press, and the Specter of 2020, in LA
Police assaults on journalists recall the violent aftermath of the George Floyd uprising.
www.cjr.org
June 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Police assaults on journalists recall the violent aftermath of the George Floyd uprising, by @jonallsop.bsky.social.
www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
JOURNALISTS IN LA or COVERING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Press rights groups are trying to coordinate responses to unlawful attacks by federal officers against journalists during protests. If you can help ID individuals in charge of operations (incident commander, etc.) & contact info please LMK.
Press rights groups are trying to coordinate responses to unlawful attacks by federal officers against journalists during protests. If you can help ID individuals in charge of operations (incident commander, etc.) & contact info please LMK.
June 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
JOURNALISTS IN LA or COVERING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Press rights groups are trying to coordinate responses to unlawful attacks by federal officers against journalists during protests. If you can help ID individuals in charge of operations (incident commander, etc.) & contact info please LMK.
Press rights groups are trying to coordinate responses to unlawful attacks by federal officers against journalists during protests. If you can help ID individuals in charge of operations (incident commander, etc.) & contact info please LMK.
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Nondisclosure agreements undermine transparency. Police officers accused with sexual harassment, assault, embezzlement and other crimes face few consequences and put the public at risk. Urge your officials and @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to support #AB1388. action.aclu.org/send-message...
Protect Our Communities: Ban Police Misconduct NDAs
Tell California state leaders to pass AB 1388.
action.aclu.org
May 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Nondisclosure agreements undermine transparency. Police officers accused with sexual harassment, assault, embezzlement and other crimes face few consequences and put the public at risk. Urge your officials and @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to support #AB1388. action.aclu.org/send-message...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
The Justice Department rolled back rules that prevented federal prosecutors from using compulsory tools like subpoenas to seize journalists' records in leak inquiries.
@rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman told @nytimes.com that it “raises significant First Amendment concerns.”
@rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman told @nytimes.com that it “raises significant First Amendment concerns.”
In Leak Crackdown, Bondi Rolls Back 2013 Protection Stemming From Fox News Case
The Justice Department’s new rules for leak inquiries make it easier for investigators to bypass a legal restriction on search warrants to seize news gathering records.
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Justice Department rolled back rules that prevented federal prosecutors from using compulsory tools like subpoenas to seize journalists' records in leak inquiries.
@rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman told @nytimes.com that it “raises significant First Amendment concerns.”
@rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman told @nytimes.com that it “raises significant First Amendment concerns.”
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent memo indicates journalists who receive classified information could face Justice Department subpoenas and search warrants.
In @msnbc.com, @rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman explains what it means for reporters and public-interest newsgathering:
In @msnbc.com, @rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman explains what it means for reporters and public-interest newsgathering:
Opinion | Why AG Pam Bondi's proposed crackdown on government leakers is a threat to journalism
The attorney general's recent memo indicates journalists who receive classified information could face Justice Department subpoenas and search warrants.
www.msnbc.com
April 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent memo indicates journalists who receive classified information could face Justice Department subpoenas and search warrants.
In @msnbc.com, @rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman explains what it means for reporters and public-interest newsgathering:
In @msnbc.com, @rcfp.org's Gabe Rottman explains what it means for reporters and public-interest newsgathering:
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, his appointees and allies in Congress have joined his campaign against the press, and are endeavoring to defund, defang and silence independent and critical reporting:
Trump, allies pursue multipronged campaign against the press
President Donald Trump, in one of the first executive orders of his new term, extolled the importance of “restoring freedom …
pressfreedomtracker.us
April 28, 2025 at 9:27 PM
In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, his appointees and allies in Congress have joined his campaign against the press, and are endeavoring to defund, defang and silence independent and critical reporting:
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
Following a letter from FAC and @spj-norcal.bsky.social and opposition from residents at a council meeting Tuesday, the City of Sebastopol repealed a restrictive new media policy. See our letter to the council: firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/03/06/f...
FAC Opposes Restrictive Media Policy in Sebastopol
firstamendmentcoalition.org
March 6, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Following a letter from FAC and @spj-norcal.bsky.social and opposition from residents at a council meeting Tuesday, the City of Sebastopol repealed a restrictive new media policy. See our letter to the council: firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/03/06/f...
Reposted by Ginny LaRoe
"We have no evidence that this student did anything other than cover this event as a journalist."
We're glad charges were dropped against the Stanford journalist unjustly arrested, but this also should have been blindingly obvious from the beginning.
We're glad charges were dropped against the Stanford journalist unjustly arrested, but this also should have been blindingly obvious from the beginning.
Prosecutors Drop Case Against Stanford Student Journalist
Dilan Gohill was arrested while covering protests on campus last summer.
www.cjr.org
March 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"We have no evidence that this student did anything other than cover this event as a journalist."
We're glad charges were dropped against the Stanford journalist unjustly arrested, but this also should have been blindingly obvious from the beginning.
We're glad charges were dropped against the Stanford journalist unjustly arrested, but this also should have been blindingly obvious from the beginning.