IRE condemns the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) strongly condemns the arrests of independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, who covered a Jan. 18 protest against immigration enforcement at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Don Lemon worked more than 15 years at CNN. Georgia Fort is a three-time Midwest Emmy Award-winning journalist.

Journalists have a duty to witness, document and inform the public. Both journalists have stated they were at the protest in their official capacity. Arrests like these are blatant attacks on press freedom and meant to have a chilling effect on the willingness of journalists to cover future events. We stand with Don, Georgia and all journalists lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights. 

“They keep turning the screws, trying to stop us from doing our job of reporting the actions of our government,” said IRE Executive Director Diana Fuentes. “It’s not going to work. Journalists have a constitutionally protected right — and deep responsibility — to keep the people informed and we will not stop.” 

IRE, the nation’s largest journalism association, calls on the federal government to drop these charges and to acknowledge and respect the rights of journalists covering protests across the country. 

IRE is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting and supporting the rights of investigative journalists. Through rigorous training, scholarships, and a digital magazine, IRE works to foster excellence in investigative journalism worldwide.