Student Press Law Center

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Journalists will sometimes be told, confidently and incorrectly, that they’re breaking the law.

That happened this week when Rep. Andy Harris threatened to refer Cat Murphy, a student reporter with the University of Maryland’s @CNSmd, for prosecution for recording his press briefing. Maryland’s all-party consent law doesn’t apply to public press events, and Murphy kept doing her job.

To help other student journalists prepare for these situations, we explain what state recording laws actually say, explore where the First Amendment comes in, and offer practical tips for handling them.

splc.org/2026/10/heres-…

When a member of Congress threatens a student journalist for doing their job, the student isn't the one who needs a lesson in the law.

We applaud University of Maryland student journalist Cat Murphy for knowing the law and standing her ground on behalf of the readers she serves. When Rep. Andy Harris claimed she couldn't record his news conference — and threatened prosecution if she continued — she knew that his threats were empty under Maryland's state recording laws. Check out her conversation below with CNN's @jaketapper about how, and why, she stood her ground.

Student journalists are journalists. They have the same right to cover a public official as anyone in the press pool. They deserve the same respect when they do.

At SPLC, we stand with all the student journalists who face threats, intimidation or retaliation. If you have questions about your state's recording laws, or you've faced a threat like this, contact our Legal Hotline for free, confidential help: splc.org/legalhelp

Student journalism is journalism. Period.

thecut.com/article/cornel…

It takes a lot of courage for students to tell their principals they're wrong, even when the law is on their side. But as Ben and Madison suggest here, it's just another day in the life of a student journalist. We were proud to offer them our support.