The arrest of CityBeat journalists Madeline Fening and Lucas Griffith on Thursday during a protest on the Roebling Bridge in Covington is an outrageous assault on the free press and a direct affront to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As the editor-in-chief of the Scioto Valley Guardian, Ohio’s leading news website, I demand the immediate release of Madeline and Lucas and the dismissal of all charges against them, including the egregious felony charge of first-degree rioting. These journalists were acting in their official capacities, documenting a public event, and video evidence confirms they did not resist police orders to disperse to the sidewalk. This is not just an attack on two individuals—it is an attack on the very foundation of a free and democratic society.
Madeline, an investigative reporter for CityBeat since 2022, has dedicated her career to uncovering truths that matter to Ohioans. Her reporting on critical issues—fentanyl overdoses, the Amazon union drive, Ohio’s abortion care landscape, LGBTQ+ rights, and police misconduct—has been a beacon of accountability. Lucas, a photo intern at CityBeat, was there to visually document the protest, ensuring the public’s right to know. Both were clearly acting as journalists, not rioters. Charging them with a felony that carries up to five years in prison is not only disproportionate but a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence the press.
A free press is not a luxury; it is a necessity, now more than ever. In an era of misinformation, polarized discourse, and eroding trust in institutions, journalists like Madeline and Lucas serve as the public’s eyes and ears, holding power to account and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. The First Amendment explicitly protects the press because a democracy cannot function without it. When police arrest journalists for doing their jobs, they undermine the very freedoms they are sworn to protect. The Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Rob Sanders, must review the camera footage—which I have personally examined—and recognize that these arrests were baseless. The safety of officers is important, but so is the safety of our constitutional rights.
The repeated punches to the head by one Covington officer demands immediate attention and charges should be presented to a Grand Jury by an independent counsel.
This incident is a chilling reminder of the growing threats to press freedom across the nation. The felony charges against Madeline and Lucas are not isolated; they reflect a broader pattern of authorities targeting journalists to suppress coverage of controversial issues. The Scioto Valley Guardian condemns this assault in the strongest terms. We call on all journalists, editors, and news managers across Ohio and beyond to join us in demanding the immediate release of Madeline and Lucas and the dismissal of all charges. We urge you to contact Kenton County officials, including Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders, and make your voices heard. The government must know that the press will not be intimidated.
The Scioto Valley Guardian stands in solidarity with CityBeat and its reporters. We will continue to monitor this case closely as Madeline and Lucas face their next hearing on July 23. The public deserves transparency, and we will not rest until justice is served. A free press is the bedrock of democracy, and we will fight to protect it—no matter the cost.