"Their written and visual coverage of the initial protest was the best in the cities."
This week as protesters marched on campus and occupied Morrill Hall, the Minnesota Daily emerged as a key source of coverage and insight for the University of Minnesota community. Student journalists dedicated themselves to reporting on the campus protests, showcasing their commitment to capturing complex issues with diligence and empathy. One Minnesota Daily reporter, Tyler Church, was briefly detained Monday evening by UMPD.
The Hubbard School commends the student journalists for their hard work, attention to detail, and ability to cover breaking news while still reporting on the many other stories happening around campus. “The Minnesota Daily students are delivering fact-based reporting on breaking campus news during a difficult moment,” said Hubbard School Director Elisia Cohen. “We fully support student journalists having unimpeded access to cover protests on campus.”
"The Minnesota Daily newsroom is leading the coverage of this national story,” said Seth Richardson, Hubbard School instructor and Minnesota Daily board member. “They've produced fact-based, informative stories while facing adversity, including the detention of a reporter and police confiscating their reporting materials and school work. I've reported from the frontlines of unrest and these students would fit right in with the most seasoned reporters."
University of Minnesota students and alumni gathered to protest not only in solidarity with Palestine but also to demand action from the University’s administration. The Daily covered these events in real time, offering email updates, video on social media, and detailed on-the-ground reports.
“It was impressive to see the Minnesota Daily journalists covering breaking news on campus, gathering great information and then quickly sharing it across platforms in ways that were useful to anyone trying to understand what was happening with the protests,” said Hubbard School Senior Lecturer Regina McCombs.
“The Daily reporters were quick to the scene and reported the facts clearly and with dispassion,” said Senior Lecturer Gayle Golden. “By far, their written and visual coverage of the initial protest was the best in the cities, showing excellent instincts and skill. I also commend their courage and restraint in the face of a clear violation by officers of their right to cover this important campus news event.”
In a period marked by highly polarized opinions, the Minnesota Daily maintained a commitment to balanced, ethical journalism, showcasing the importance of inclusivity in emotionally charged circumstances.
“The Minnesota Daily journalists are uniquely qualified to gather and provide independent, on-the-ground details to the community about the protesters' conduct and demands, as well as the responses by the administration and law enforcement,” said Hubbard School Professor Jane Kirtley. Kirtley is also the Director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law. “By exercising their First Amendment-protected rights, the Minnesota Daily staff is also supporting the First Amendment rights of others to express their viewpoints and to receive information. Their work should be supported, not impeded, by the University.”
Throughout their coverage, Minnesota Daily journalists displayed a commitment to transparency and accountability. In the face of a politically and emotionally fraught situation, student reporters displayed professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to fair reporting. They embraced their responsibility not only to inform but to foster dialogue within the University of Minnesota community. Their work underscores the value of student journalists as both storytellers and truth-seekers.
To read more coverage, visit the Minnesota Daily’s website.