Independent reporters warn of access issues at protests, freeway crashes, and disaster scenes
[SAN DIEGO Fri Feb. 13, 2026]
The San Diego Police Department announced Friday that it has discontinued its Media Identification Card and parking placard program, effective immediately, eliminating the only law-enforcement-issued press credentials in San Diego County.
In a memo distributed to media outlets, SDPD said journalists should instead rely on employer identification, business cards, or direct coordination with the department’s Media Relations Unit.
The move has prompted concern among independent and freelance journalists, who say the sudden change creates uncertainty around access to protests, crime scenes, freeway incidents, and disaster areas.
California law provides specific protections for journalists during demonstrations and unlawful assemblies, but those provisions historically rely on officers being able to identify credentialed media in the field. Without a standardized credential, reporters are questioning how those exemptions will be applied operationally.
The decision also affects coverage of traffic collisions and pursuits on state freeways, which are typically handled by the California Highway Patrol, as well as access to court proceedings overseen by the Superior Court of California.
Journalists contacted SDPD, CHP, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office seeking clarification on how media status will now be verified and what documentation will be accepted. As of Friday afternoon, no replacement credentialing process had been announced.
SDPD said it remains committed to working with media through its Communications and Media Relations Unit but did not provide details on how officers will distinguish journalists from members of the general public at active scenes.
