New Jersey federal judge evicts journalists from court press room

Members of the New Jersey press corps reporting from the Newark federal courthouse will have to find another place from which to file their stories after a judge stripped them of the right to use the building’s press room.

In a May 21 directive, Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb cited unspecified safety, security and spatial concerns as the reason for her decision.

The order also rescinded any “exceptional access” previously granted to the press in federal court buildings across the state.

“The press room on the third floor of the Martin Luther King Building & U.S. Courthouse … shall be returned to the Court for its official judiciary business,” the order stated.

It is unclear whether a specific threat prompted the order, which took effect immediately. Reporters were left without a dedicated space to work in the courthouse.

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Calls to Bumb’s chambers and the courthouse were not returned on Thursday.

Bruce Rosen, a media lawyer with the Hackensack-based firm Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, said the move is part of a broader pattern that has reduced public access to the judiciary.

“I think it’s terrible,” said Rosen, a former reporter who once worked in the courthouse. “The federal courts need to be more transparent. They’ve become more insular — whether that’s because of security, the demands of the job, or because they no longer feel they have to be transparent.”

“If people aren’t using the press room, there’s no reason to reserve the room,” he said. “But if people are using the press room, it’s pretty inexcusable.”

The judge’s decision comes as state officials consider new rules that would prohibit the press and public from using a taxpayer-funded parking garage at the New Jersey State House. Critics say the change would effectively force them to park elsewhere and walk through Trenton’s streets, which some have described as unsafe.

Eric Brophy, chair of the State Capitol Joint Management Commission, cited security concerns and the guidance of the New Jersey State Police in supporting the proposal.

“They’re the law enforcement and security experts; we’re not,” Brophy told reporters. “So we’re following the lead of the experts. They explained to us what the security plan is and why they’re doing it.”

Brophy did not cite any specific threats. He grew combative when pressed by reporters.

Later, State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan said in an email that the recommendation came from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, but added that the commission will make the final decision.

“The decision does not rest on the NJSP; we only weigh in on security measures,” he wrote. “The [commission] makes the final decision.”