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Journalists perform an indispensable role in informing local community members about the events happening around them. The First Amendment protects journalists’ freedom to gather and report the news wherever it takes place publicly. Therefore, it was deeply troubling to see attacks on journalists across the country – including by law enforcement – while they were on the ground reporting on the protests following the death of George Floyd.
In response to these recent events, today Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a House Resolution reaffirming the First Amendment right to freedom of the press and calling for the protection of journalists by government officials and law enforcement.
We applaud Reps. Scanlon and Schiff for recognizing and reaffirming journalists’ Constitutional rights and calling for the protection of these journalists, who are risking their lives to bring critical news and information to the public. We are grateful to our country’s journalists for their continued commitment to delivering the truth.
David Chavern is former President & CEO of the News/Media Alliance. Chavern has 30 years of experience in executive strategic and operational roles. Prior to the Alliance, he completed a decade-long tenure at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
