The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University condemned the Associated Press’s ban from the Oval Office and Air Force One in a statement released on Facebook Feb. 20.
The ban from the Trump administration came after the AP refused to alter its style to reflect Executive Order 14172, in which President Donald Trump officially renamed the body of water bordering Mexico and the United States to the Gulf of America.
In an article published by the AP, the news outlet expressed why it chose to retain the title Gulf of Mexico.
“As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences,” the article stated.
The AP then sued three Trump administration officials: Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
However, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled against the AP’s request to immediately reinstate their full access to the White House. An additional court hearing is set for March 20, according to the AP.
In response to the administration's recent decision, many journalism organizations have taken a stand in support of the AP, claiming the ban is a violation of the freedom of the press.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a nonprofit organization that fights for the protection of First Amendment rights, also sent a letter to Wiles Feb. 17, urging the administration to revoke their ban and reinstate the AP’s ability to access special events and places in the White House.
Thirty-two media organizations signed the letter, including The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism issued a statement titled “E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Statement in Support of the Associated Press and the First Amendment,” which was spearheaded by a majority of faculty and staff.
Eddith Dashiell, director of the school, commented on what the ban meant to her, signaling concerns for the future of Journalism.
“My first reaction was, ‘I'm watching the First Amendment being dismantled in front of my eyes.’ It's blatantly unconstitutional,” Dashiell said. “It's a blatant violation of the First Amendment.”
The statement includes over 50 signatures from OU alums, local journalists and current OU staff and students.
Matthias Agganis, a sophomore studying visual communications, works as a page designer for Backdrop Magazine. Agganis is one of the signatories of the statement and said he views this move as a direct attack on freedom of the press.
Olivia Lutz, a senior studying media arts production and also a signatory of the statement, works for Variant Magazine. Lutz said she chose to include her name on the statement because she believes fair journalism is the basis of the U.S.
Lutz, a former intern for CivilNet, said she saw firsthand how Azerbaijan’s media is controlled and worries this recent decision could lead to a similar future.
Dashiell said she believes the statement was incredibly important, saying the Constitution is only as strong as those who are willing to support it.
She said she hopes this statement will bring about more support from universities across the country, stating she has only seen Columbia University’s statement thus far.
“If enough of us speak out, then there'll be a difference,” Dashiell said.
