June 10, 2020 — SEJ joined with PEN America, the Committee to Protect Journalists and dozens of other press freedom organizations and experts in sending letters to each U.S. governor, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C. The letters called on all leaders to uphold press freedom and ensure law enforcement is accountable for recent actions against journalists covering protests.
Each letter states, in part, "... we are writing to express our deep concern at the numerous attacks on journalists while covering protests following the recent killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. We call on you to immediately, unambiguously stand up for press freedom and take specific steps to ensure the media can carry out its work safely... As Governor, you hold a position of power bound by the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment. On behalf of the hundreds of journalists who have been directly targeted or harmed in the course of these protests, we ask that you speak out unambiguously about the importance of a free press and take specific measures to ensure that journalists working in your states can carry out their vital work without fear of reprisal or injury."
Further, the letters urged the state leaders to publicly affirm the right of journalists and citizens to record police in public places as they carry out their official duties; to exclude the media from curfews; and to provide greater transparency from state officials regarding threats or attacks on journalists throughout the state.
- PEN America release of June 11, 2020.
- 51 letters sent to the state governors and mayor of Washington, D.C.
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