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.