Preparing for the RNC

What should you do if police tell you to stop recording, taking pictures, at an event you're covering? What are journalists' rights in this situation? What if they detain you and/or seize your camera?

On June 22, I attended Preparing for the RNC, a program organized by the National Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, about journalists' rights when it comes to taking pictures, video and sound recordings in public.

For many years, police have tried to stop journalists from doing this, in some cases by passing laws which were later overturned because they contravene the First Amendment, according to lawyers Mickey Osterreicher, counsel for the NPPA, Gregg Leslie, legal defense director for the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press, and Michael K. Farrell of the Cleveland law firm Baker Hostetler, who spoke at the June 22 event.

Student Julie Hullett and I live tweeted from the event, using the hashtag #rnc2016prep if you're interested in checking out our coverage there. Apologies to Gregg Leslie, whose first name I misspelled, not realizing it contained three Gs.

Key things we learned:

• Don't provoke the police -- behave and dress professionally and you'll be treated better. 
• Find some kind of press credentials if you don't have RNC accreditation to flash at police -- a NPPA or SPJ membership card can work wonders. 
• If you get arrested or detained and don't have editors to call to bail you out, call the RCFP hotline: 800-336-4243. It will have extra legal staff on hand for the RNC, Leslie said.
• Carry that hotline number on your body somewhere, in case police seize your phone, computer, camera, whatever. 

Unfortunately, turnout at this terrific panel of some of the nation's leading experts on journalists' rights was marred by the huge parade Cleveland held on the same day to celebrate the Cavaliers' national championship. Though many had signed up to attend the event, only about 20 showed up. Many, including my expected companion, decided to stay home, fearing traffic jams and parking problems. However, we learned that Osterreicher was doing two days of training sessions for the Cleveland Police, in addition to our program, during his visit to Cleveland. This is a good thing!

It wasn't as bad as expected, getting there, though. I had planned to take public transit but when I got there, the parking lot was full so I decided to chance it and drive downtown. I got there in good time and snagged a free parking spot on Chester, right near the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where the event was being held.

Remember, the week of the RNC will face similar challenges. PREPARE for transportation woes and leave extra time.