University of Florida Lets Richard Spencer Decide Which Journalists Will Cover His Speech

Oft-punched white nationalist Richard Spencer will speak at the University of Florida because free speech from hatemongers is important, apparently. (No joke: The governor has already declared a state of emergency.) But it’s also apparent that U. Florida’s love for the first amendment only goes so far, according to Guardian U.S.’s Lois Beckett:

University of Florida has given Richard Spencer full control over which journalists will be allowed inside the venue to cover his speech.

— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) October 18, 2017

“They’ve rented the facility. It’s their event. It’s not our event,” University of Florida spokeswoman Janine Sikes told me.

— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) October 18, 2017

“It’s their event so they’re the one that are allowing media in…that’s why they can have whomever they want to,” UF spokeswoman told me.

— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) October 18, 2017

Yup, when it comes to freedom of the press, apparently the desire of white nationalists like Spencer to avoid negative media coverage trumps the media’s right to practice journalism.

This is so, so woefully inadequate from U. Florida.