Journalist Files Lawsuit Against SDPD for Unconstitutional Press Pass Revocation

Journalist Files Lawsuit Against SDPD for Unconstitutional Press Pass Revocation

May 15, 2024, San Diego, CA  – The Center for American Liberty, alongside the Law Office of D. Gill Sperlein and San Diego journalist Eva Knott, filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego and its Police Department (SDPD), for unconstitutional practices in the denying of Knott’s press pass. The complaint asserts violations of First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, citing SDPD’s disregard for established procedures and due process. 

“This case is about defending the press against arbitrary gatekeeping by the police,” said Harmeet Dhillon, CEO and Founder of the Center for American Liberty. “Journalists must have the freedom to report without fear of retribution. Denying Eva a press pass because of a competitor’s interference directly contravenes her constitutional rights.” 

“A free press is essential for a healthy democracy, ensuring transparency and informed public discourse,” Eva Knott said. “Recently, my Press Pass was revoked after fifteen years of reporting on court matters in San Diego County, threatening these principles. This lawsuit aims to restore fair media access and uphold the First Amendment here and everywhere.”  

Background: Eva Knott, who has reported for the San Diego Reader and the Post Millennial using her professional pseudonym, had her press pass revoked due to a complaint from a competing journalist. When Knott applied for a new press pass, SDPD denied her application, claiming she had not demonstrated a need for a pass. She was provided with no opportunity to appeal.  

The lawsuit seeks to restore Ms. Knott’s press credentials and set a precedent for the transparent and equitable treatment of all journalists. The aim is to ensure that press freedoms are not compromised by administrative bias or competitive disputes. 

To schedule an interview with the legal team please contact Daytona Everett at Daytona@PraetorianPR.com.

Journalist Files Lawsuit Against SDPD for Unconstitutional Press Pass Revocation