University of Maryland: University Investigates Student Journalists for Covering Protest

On October 21, 2025, student journalists from the University of Maryland’s independent Muslim student newspaper Al-Hikmah News were present to cover a protest outside a Students Supporting Israel event that featured Israel Defense Forces soldiers. After being detained alongside the protesters, the student journalists learned on November 17 they were facing student conduct charges, including “[i]ntentionally and substantially interfering with the lawful freedom of expression of others” and “[e]ngaging in disorderly or disruptive action that interferes with University or community activities [...].” On December 8, FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative wrote UMD, urging the university to drop these charges to avoid chilling further student media coverage of controversial protests. On December 18, UMD responded, refusing to do so. UMD and SPFI are engaged in email correspondence discussing the pertinent facts of the charges against the student journalists.