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http://www.maynardije.org/columns/dickprince/041124_prince/
Charges Dropped Against N&O Reporter
November 24, 2004 Returning Monday
Prosecutor Urges More Protection for Journalists
District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr. of Durham, N.C., announced Tuesday that he would not prosecute Raleigh reporter Demorris Lee, who had been charged with making harassing phone calls in the course of pursuing a story. His arrest drew condemnation from leading journalism organizations as a threat to press freedom.
"Hardin said in a written statement that he would file to have the charges against News & Observer reporter Demorris Lee dismissed, because, 'The State of North Carolina cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt all the essential elements of this alleged crime'," as Michael Petrocelli wrote in the Durham Herald-Sun.
"In his statement, Hardin also said a policy is needed that would require law enforcement officials to investigate any allegations made against a journalist in the course of gathering news before issuing an arrest warrant. Durham has a similar policy for complaints against law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel and school system employees, Hardin wrote," Petrocelli's story continued.
"I support such a policy and believe that it would provide the appropriate protection of a victim and alleged perpetrator, while still affording us all our rights granted by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding free speech and a free press," Hardin was quoted as saying.
"Lee was arrested Nov. 14 after Ruth A. Brown, a police property room technician, took out a warrant against him. The reporter was scheduled to appear in court today," the story continued.
"Lee has said the incident occurred after he left two phone messages for Brown about an article concerning Erick Daniels, who was convicted of robbing Brown three years ago. Daniels, who was 14 when the crime occurred, received at least 10 years in prison, and Brown testified against him."
Among the groups protesting Lee's arrest were the National Association of Black Journalists and its local chapter, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
In a note to the NABJ's listserve today, Lee thanked members for their support and concluded, "But now, let's get back to what got this thing started: a then 15-year-old may have been wrongly convicted of [a] crime and just turned 18 in prison. I'm still on that story and look for something real soon."
LOL, I win. ;)
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http://www.maynardije.org/columns/dickprince/041124_prince/
Among the groups protesting Lee's arrest were the National Association of Black Journalists and its local chapter, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
In a note to the NABJ's listserve today, Lee thanked members for their support and concluded, ...
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http://www.geocities.com/nctabj/news/willsutton.html
Former NABJ and TABJ President Will Sutton To Join Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications
Hampton, Va. – Will Sutton, deputy managing editor at The News & Observer in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and the Triangle Association of Black Journalists , will serve as the Scripps Howard Visiting Professor at Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications (SHSJC) for the 2005-2006 academic school year, announced SHSJC Dean Tony Brown.