Ethical Reporting on Police Violence and Black-Led Resistance

Freedom Lifted joined Press On southern movement journalism collective, to create these tips for journalists to ethically report on police violence and the black-led resistance to it.

Tips for Journalists on Covering Police Violence and Response Protests

1. Provide context. Focus on the reasons for the protests.

2. Fact check. Don’t reflexively quote police without question.

3. Avoid false equivalency. Property destruction does not equal violence.

4. Be specific. Avoid passive language.

5. Don’t glorify police. Refrain from elevating individual acts of kindness by officers.

6. Listen to Black people. Take criticism seriously. Do better. Be in solidarity.