Last year, an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by Eric Spofford, the founder of New Hampshire’s largest network of addiction rehabilitation centers, led to a string of attacks on journalists associated with New Hampshire Public Radio. The journalist who carried out the investigation, Lauren Chooljian, suffered a series of attacks on her home in Massachusetts, as did her editor, Daniel Barrick, and her parents’ home in New Hampshire. This legal brawl has important implications for the First Amendment, as it highlights the perils journalists face in a climate where politicians disparage and demonize reporters. Last year, 41 journalists in the US were physically assaulted, and lawsuits are on the rise, with many experts believing they are used to punish smaller organizations for aggressive coverage and to discourage others from speaking out.
