Florida Drops Charges Against Photojournalist After Advocacy Campaign

December 19, 2025 – USA – 

Florida authorities have dismissed criminal charges against photojournalist Daniel Smith, ending a legal case that had drawn concern from press freedom groups and civil liberties advocates. Smith, who was covering a protest in Tampa on September 5, 2025, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, after police alleged he failed to comply with instructions while photographing demonstrators near the Hillsborough County Courthouse. The charges were formally dropped on December 22, 2025, following sustained advocacy by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and partner organisations.

Smith, a freelance documentary photographer known for documenting civil rights and public protest movements, was livestreaming and photographing demonstrators when law enforcement officers detained him. According to his legal team, Smith identified himself repeatedly to the press and was actively engaged in journalistic work at the time of his arrest. Still, officers placed him in handcuffs and transported him to a county detention facility. The case raised immediate concern among press freedom defenders, who argued that Smith’s reporting activity should have afforded him protections under both the First Amendment and Florida state law governing newsgathering at public events.

In the weeks following his arrest, CPJ and allied civil liberties groups issued a joint statement urging prosecutors to reconsider the charges, contending that the evidence did not support criminal conduct and that the arrest set a troubling precedent for journalists covering public demonstrations. The advocacy coalition highlighted that protecting journalists performing their duties is vital to democratic engagement and the public’s right to know. They also emphasised that lawful press activity should not be conflated with disorderly behaviour.

Tampa prosecutors formally dropped all outstanding charges against Smith on December 22, stating that the case would not move forward. Smith’s attorney welcomed the decision, saying the charges were unwarranted and expressing hope that the outcome would reinforce legal protections for journalists nationwide. The dismissal was broadly welcomed by media organisations and rights advocates, who viewed it as reaffirming the principle that journalists covering protests should not be subject to criminal prosecution solely for their newsgathering activities.

Reference – 

https://cpj.org/2025/12/florida-authorities-drop-charges-against-photojournalist-following-joint-statement-by-cpj-partners/amp/