Santa Ana College: Requirement that Journalists Speak Only to Public Information Officer

On October 24, 2022, student newspaper el Don wrote an editorial criticizing Santa Ana College’s practice of requiring the press, including student journalists, to speak only with the university’s public information officer about university-related issues. On December 13, FIRE wrote SAC explaining that this practice violates the First Amendment rights of not only student journalists but also students and faculty wishing to speak to the media. On December 27, the college responded that it was not aware of any case “where a faculty member or staff has been punished for speaking to journalists in their capacity as private citizens,” but did not address our concerns that student journalists must only speak with the college’s public information officer. The next day, FIRE responded asking for clarification about whether this reported requirement remains in place and urging the college to rescind the requirement if it does remain in place.