By Neil Doyle

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois News Broadcasters Association is backing a public radio station and is asking for the University of Illinois to change its policy for reporting instances of sexual assault or misconduct.

The University of Illinois-Springfield recently told WUIS-FM, located on its campus, that its reporters must report alleged sexual misconduct to the university’s Title IX office. In August, the station reported about the school’s handling of sexual misconduct, and how it helped several professors who violated university policies.

The INBA Board of Directors is asking U of I to provide exemptions for journalists in the policy.

While the policy is intended to maintain safety on campus, a journalist’s job is to speak the truth, demand accountability, and give a voice to the voiceless, according to a letter from the INBA board to the university.

The INBA’s attorney Don Craven said the university’s counseling employees are exempt from the rule for a legitimate public purpose, which should also apply to reporters.

In addition, the University of Illinois is a public university and holds the license for the public radio station.  The INBA said by forcing journalists to adhere to the policy, the school is taking away First Amendment rights not just from journalists, but from victims too.

The complete letter from the INBA can be found here.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]