A group of Minnesota journalists is asking the University of Minnesota Board of Regents to drop its investigation into news leaks about an alleged sexual harassment case in the school’s athletics department.
A petition by members of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild calls on the administration to concentrate on the issue of sexual harassment rather than pursuing any individuals who may have shared information with the media.
The petition, which was signed by journalists from the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune and other media organizations, says the protection of sources is vital and the university’s investigation could have a chilling effect on confidential sources.
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists also issued a statement Wednesday urging the U to drop its investigation.
Board officials said in a statement that the issue is determined by privacy laws and university officials should not disclose matters to reporters that “should be kept private while decisions are pending.”