Two journalists are facing trespassing charges pressed by Liberty University after they pursued stories regarding the school’s decision to remain partially open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC News reports.
Reportedly, ProPublica reporter Alec MacGillis and New York Times photographer Julia Rendleman, visited Liberty University’s campus “without permission” back in March to unearth details about why the school decided to remain open, at least in part, and what life on campus looked like amid the global pandemic.
MacGillis’ article, titled, “What’s it Like on One of the Only University Campuses Still Open in the U.S.?” was published on March 26.
And on March 29, the New York Times published an article titled, “Liberty University Brings Back its Students, and Coronavirus Fears, Too,” featuring Rendleman’s photos.
After both stories were published, LU security forces reportedly collected witness accounts and decided to pursue criminal action against the reporter and photographer.
Elizabeth Williamson, who authored the March 29 NYT piece, is not facing trespassing charges as “eyewitnesses could not be found,” ABC News reports.
Arrest warrants for Class 1 Misdemeanors were signed by Virginia Magistrate Kang Lee against the two journalists, though the journalists have yet to be prosecuted. If convicted, the journalists could face up to a year in jail.
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