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January 22, 2025 – Palestine/Israel/USA –
Stanford University has announced it will not pursue disciplinary action against student journalist Dilan Gohill, who was arrested in June 2024 while covering a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. Gohill, then a freshman and reporter for The Stanford Daily, was among several individuals detained during a demonstration that entered and briefly occupied the university president’s office.
Despite wearing a Stanford Daily sweatshirt and a visible press badge, Gohill was arrested and charged with burglary, conspiracy, and vandalism. University administrators at the time—President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez—supported the charges and referred the matter to Stanford’s Office of Community Standards, claiming Gohill had violated university policy.
The arrest drew national attention, with advocacy groups including the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) and the First Amendment Coalition condemning both the university’s and law enforcement’s handling of the case. They argued that Gohill was acting within his rights as a journalist and warned that prosecuting student reporters sets a dangerous precedent for campus press freedom.
For over seven months, Gohill faced uncertainty as both disciplinary and criminal processes loomed. On January 22, 2025, new Stanford President Jonathan Levin informed SPLC and other advocates that the university had closed its internal review and would not impose disciplinary sanctions against Gohill. However, Levin declined to advocate for the dismissal of the criminal charges, stating that the decision rested with the Santa Clara County District Attorney.
In March 2025, the DA’s office dropped all charges, stating there was no evidence that Gohill had done anything beyond reporting the event as a journalist. The DA emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of the press, even for student reporters.
Gohill’s case has sparked broader conversations about the treatment of student journalists, especially during politically charged events. Advocates say the initial actions taken by Stanford reflect a troubling trend where institutions may conflate journalism with activism.
While Gohill’s record has now been cleared, press freedom groups continue to push for stronger protections for student journalists and clearer institutional policies that safeguard the right to report without fear of retaliation.
Reference –
Arrested reporter won’t face university discipline, Stanford tells SPLC, FAC
