American University: Student Journalists Limited from Speaking With University Employees

On September 22, 2022, AU administrators told student journalists at The Eagle they must fill out a form to request to interview university employees, including administrators and some faculty, instead of contacting employees directly. In September 2021, Housing and Residence Life staff instructed the department’s student employees not to speak with the press, and students at The Eagle report this instruction remains in effect. On December 19, FIRE wrote AU explaining these practices violate the university’s own commitments to the free press and expressive rights of its community.