RETAIL THEFT, MAKING THIS ONE A FELONY. HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY. NEW TONIGHT, THREE PENNSYLVANIA NEWS ORGANIZATIONS ARE SUING SOME MEMBERS OF THE PENN STATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THEY’RE ARGUING A NEW POLICY VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY CUTTING OFF THE PRESS FROM IMPORTANT INFORMATION. FIRST, WE’LL EXPLAIN THE RULE BEING SCRUTINIZED HERE. PENN STATE UPDATED ITS BYLAWS IN JULY OF 2024 AND AGAIN IN NOVEMBER OF 2025. THE NEW RULES SAY TRUSTEES MUST GET PREAPPROVAL BEFORE SPEAKING TO ANY MEDIA, EVEN IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY. TRUSTEES WHO VIOLATE THE POLICY CAN BE SANCTIONED OR REMOVED ENTIRELY. THERE’S ALSO ANOTHER RULE THE TRUSTEES CANNOT MAKE NEGATIVE OR CRITICAL PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BOARD. THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, STAFF, ALUMNI OR ANYONE CONNECTED TO PENN STATE. THE POLICY IS ENFORCED BY BOARD CHAIR DAVID KLEPPINGER, BOARD VICE CHAIR RICHARD SOKOLOVE AND CHAIR OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE DANIEL ORNATO. THOSE THREE ARE BEING SUED BY SPOTLIGHT PA, THE CENTER, DAILY TIMES AND STATE COLLEGE.COM, SAYING THE POLICY HARMS THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING AT PENN STATE. A PUBLICLY FUNDED UNIVERSITY. THE ORGANIZATIONS WANT PENN STATE TO DECLARE THE P
Pennsylvania news outlets sue Penn State trustees over media restrictions
Updated: 6:25 PM EDT May 29, 2026
Three Pennsylvania news organizations are suing members of the Penn State Board of Trustees, alleging that a new policy restricts free speech and access to information in violation of the First Amendment. Penn State updated its bylaws in July 2024 and again in November 2025, implementing rules that require trustees to obtain pre-approval before speaking to the media, even in a personal capacity.Trustees who violate the policy can face sanctions or removal.Why the policy is being challengedAnother rule prohibits trustees from making negative or critical public statements about the board, the university, students, staff, alumni, or anyone connected to Penn State. The policy, referred to as a “gag policy,” is enforced by Board Chair David Kleppinger, Board Vice Chair Richard Sokolov, and Chair of the Governance Committee Daniel Onorato. Spotlight PA, the Centre Daily Times, and StateCollege.com have filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the policy harms the public’s right to know what is happening at Penn State, a publicly funded university. The organizations are asking Penn State to declare the gag policy unconstitutional. Penn State did not respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —
Three Pennsylvania news organizations are suing members of the Penn State Board of Trustees, alleging that a new policy restricts free speech and access to information in violation of the First Amendment.
Penn State updated its bylaws in July 2024 and again in November 2025, implementing rules that require trustees to obtain pre-approval before speaking to the media, even in a personal capacity.
Trustees who violate the policy can face sanctions or removal.
Why the policy is being challenged
Another rule prohibits trustees from making negative or critical public statements about the board, the university, students, staff, alumni, or anyone connected to Penn State.
The policy, referred to as a “gag policy,” is enforced by Board Chair David Kleppinger, Board Vice Chair Richard Sokolov, and Chair of the Governance Committee Daniel Onorato.
Spotlight PA, the Centre Daily Times, and StateCollege.com have filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the policy harms the public’s right to know what is happening at Penn State, a publicly funded university.
The organizations are asking Penn State to declare the gag policy unconstitutional.
Penn State did not respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.