Letter of Support for NPR Illinois Journalists Seeking Exemption from Title IX’s Mandatory Reporting Requirements

Reporters Committee attorneys sent a letter to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees in support of journalists at NPR Illinois, WUIS 91.9 FM, an NPR member station that is owned and operated by the University. When journalists at the station began covering sexual misconduct on campus, the University informed them that as school employees, they were subject to Title IX’s mandatory reporting requirements. That jeopardizes the journalists’ ability to use confidential sources in their work. The station’s request for an exemption was denied. The letter argues that requiring journalists to divulge their sources to the University conflicts with the First Amendment, the Illinois reporter’s privilege statute, and the purpose of Title IX itself. Investigative journalism about campus sexual misconduct is important and should be supported, not stifled.

11.06 – RCFP Letter to University of Illinois Board of Trustees