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February 18, 2026 – USA –
The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the University of Maryland to withdraw punitive disciplinary charges against student journalists covering campus events, warning that the action threatens press freedom within academic settings and could deter student reporting. The appeal comes after members of the university’s student media faced sanctions in connection with their coverage of a protest held at the campus’s Al-Hikmah Center on 17 February 2026, which drew significant attention and controversy.
According to CAIR’s press release, the journalists in question were part of The Diamondback and other student news outlets reporting on the protest, during which law enforcement and university security were present, and tensions emerged between demonstrators and authorities. CAIR said that university administrators subsequently initiated disciplinary proceedings against the student journalists, alleging various violations of campus policy, including failing to comply with directives from university officials.
CAIR argued that such charges represent “a punitive response to journalism” rather than legitimate enforcement of policy, asserting that covering the protest was part of the students’ core journalistic responsibilities. The organisation called on the University of Maryland to uphold freedom of the press and expression, especially within educational institutions where students learn and practise reporting skills. CAIR added that disciplinary actions could set a troubling precedent, discouraging student reporters from covering sensitive or controversial events out of fear of retribution.
The editor-in-chief of The Diamondback and other student media leaders have also spoken out, saying they were detained briefly by campus security during the protest when attempting to document developments. In accounts published by The Diamondback, the student journalists described being approached by security officers and urged to cease recording, an encounter that critics say reflects a misunderstanding of the role of journalists and guards against intrusive reporting.
University officials have not publicly detailed the specific charges or the disciplinary process in full, emphasising only that campus policies must be followed. However, the lack of clarity has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates, including CAIR and student media groups, who are demanding a transparent resolution that respects journalistic practice and student rights.
The episode highlights broader tensions at U.S. universities over how student journalists are treated when reporting on protests and sensitive campus issues. CAIR and allied groups have appealed directly to the administration to reconsider the charges and ensure that students can cover newsworthy events without fear of disciplinary consequences.
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