Ehrlich was working as a reporter with 老夫子传媒 at the time, covering the evacuation of 100 people from downtown Medford. Police told journalists to stay in a designated space near the edge of the park, but Ehrlich refused, wanting to get closer to the action for more accurate reporting.
Ehrlich was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and trespassing. University of Oregon journalism professor Damian Radcliffe says this raises concerns.
鈥淩egardless of the specifics here, journalists do have the right to access, to be able to report,鈥� he told KLCC. 鈥淎nd there are legitimate concerns that we very much saw come to the fore in 2020, and I think still remain very pertinent, about issues of access and also of public officials trying to potentially control the narrative.鈥�
Ehrlich faces up to a year in jail and a fine of $6,200. Organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists are supporting her Free Press rights.
Radcliffe said this case has drawn international attention, as the U.S. is seen as exemplifying a free press.
鈥淗ow these types of cases manifest themselves here in the U.S. can encourage similar behaviors, many of which are encroachments on media freedom and are restricting the access of journalists,鈥� said Radcliffe.
鈥淪ome of those behaviors then become more common in other countries around the world, so that鈥檚 also a very legitimate source of concern. The impact of this resonates far beyond just Medford, and the Pacific Northwest.鈥�
Ehrlich鈥檚 arrest came during a year of social unrest, clashes between police and activists, and President Trump鈥檚 repeated labeling of journalists as the 鈥渆nemy of the people.鈥�
The trial is scheduled for Sept. 16 and 19 in Medford Municipal Court.
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Editor鈥檚 note: Due to conflicts of interest with reporting on a former JPR staff member, 老夫子传媒 is not covering April Ehrlich鈥檚 trial. Coverage here was provided by NPR station KLCC in Eugene, Oregon.