No good reporter wants to be the story.

It’s baked into us as professionals that the news – the people we cover, the things that our readers care about, the issues and events that matter to them – is more important than us and our egos. Unfortunately, the spotlight sometimes finds us.

I registered for Friday’s press conference hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America because I know that Israel is important to this publication's readers. I know this both from the results of our community study and from the conversations I’ve had with many of you on the subject. I know there are a wide range of opinions about the Jewish state; out of respect for all of them, I made plans to attend and report what I saw fairly and accurately – just as I have endeavor to do on every story.

Someone decided I shouldn’t have that chance. I was removed from the event before it even started. This was the first time in my 14 years of professional journalism that I was removed from a media event.

Being the sole journalist employed by Portland’s lone Jewish community news organization is a responsibility that I take seriously. A newspaper’s only currency is its readers’ trust; I strive to maintain that trust by upholding the highest standards of ethical practice in my work. Thus, instead of registering for Friday’s press conference under a fake name (many people assume my legal name is fake anyway) or a fake newspaper, I identified myself as the editor of The Jewish Review and used my usual email address – [email protected].

When I joined the webinar, my camera wasn’t on, my mic wasn’t on. The only information the organizer would have had about me is what I mentioned above: My name and my employer. Someone decided that was sufficient to show me the virtual door.

While four members of Portland’s City Council assembled to discuss something of import to Portland’s Jewish community, the representative of the lone outlet that focuses on Portland’s Jewish community was unceremoniously ushered out – without explanation, without notice, without a word. All it took was a couple of mouse clicks to erect a barrier between elected officials and the press that is meant to hold them accountable.

I cannot say with certainty who did this – all four councilors present have denied involvement in my removal and I believe them – but I can say that whoever made that decision did an immense disservice to you, The Jewish Review’s readers, and to the values of the First Amendment.

I got the story anyway, to the extent that I could, and I will continue to report news that matters to this community with fairness and accuracy for all involved, regardless of obstacles.

Hopefully this is the last time I’ll have to be the story.

Rockne Roll is the Editor of The Jewish Review.