New Jersey Judge Reverses Order Restricting Publication of High-School Lockdown Video

A New Jersey Superior Court judge has rescinded his earlier injunction that barred the news website New Brunswick Today from posting surveillance footage of a lockdown at New Brunswick High School and from reporting on the incident. The judge, Thomas D. McCloskey, acknowledged that his initial order was “overly broad” and lifted the complete ban, while imposing narrower limitations on the outlet and other media outlets.

New York Times

The New Brunswick Board of Education filed suit in late May after New Brunswick Today released video showing security officials confronting a 16-year-old student who had been found with a BB gun. The school had told parents the event was a drill and did not disclose the presence of the weapon. The district’s lawsuit sought removal of the video from the site’s YouTube channel and a prohibition on any coverage of the episode.

New York Times

Judge McCloskey explained that his decision balanced the student’s privacy against the First Amendment rights of the press. He wrote that the case presented “a tough call” and indicated willingness to accept review by a higher court, stating that any appellate reversal would be respected.

New York Times

Lawyers for New Brunswick Today described the revised order as a “partial victory” but argued that the remaining restrictions still infringe on First Amendment protections. The outlet’s counsel said they intend to appeal the decision, maintaining that the public’s right to know about school safety incidents outweighs the privacy concerns cited by the district.

New York Times

• “Put bluntly, but with profound reverence to both sides: This was a tough call,” — Judge Thomas D. McCloskey

New York Times