May 3 was World Press Freedom Day, as proclaimed by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1993. Since then, the day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
It’s also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics, according to un.org, providing an opportunity to:
- celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
- assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
- defend the media from attacks on their independence;
- pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Instead of just filling the air with words, on May 5 the Journalist Protection Act was reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The proposed legislation would make it a federal crime to intentionally harm or intimidate journalists engaged in news-gathering, according to the National Newspaper Association.
We wish this sort of action wasn’t needed, but it is. The bill comes amid an alarming surge in threats and violence targeting members of the press, as well as deeply concerning efforts by the White House to stifle access, punish unfavorable coverage and defund public broadcasting institutions.
Globally over the last year, at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed, the most in any year since tracking began three decades ago, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Yet, in America some unethical political operatives actually sell T-shirts that encourage the hanging of journalists and other such violence, which we’re pretty sure would violate at least the spirit of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Journalist Protection Act affirms that violence against reporters is unacceptable and will be prosecuted accordingly. The bill establishes federal protections for journalists, ensuring law enforcement has the tools to pursue those who physically attack or threaten media workers attempting to inform the public, according to the NNA.
“Our democracy’s survival depends on a free and independent press,” Swalwell said in a release. “The Journalist Protection Act sends a clear message: if you target reporters with violence or intimidation, you will be held accountable.”
“Journalists need protection more than ever against threats and violence that deter truth-telling so vital to democracy,” Blumenthal added. “Intimidation is hitting new highs in both severity and number of incidents. This measure offers support at a moment of unprecedented peril to a free press.”
The Journalist Protection Act does not give special treatment to journalists but instead serves as a vital backstop in cases where state or local authorities fail to take appropriate action to keep reporters safe while serving the public. Even in Cherokee County, the Cherokee Scout has had to involve officials at different times over the years to ensure the safety of our associates; as recently as last month, one associate was followed for almost 10 miles by a law enforcement vehicle.
Look, we get it – some national journalists, and even entire networks, have acted more like political activists than unbiased reporters over the years, and as a result have lost their credibility. However, the vast majority of those who work to collect and distribute the news are doing so with good motives and for sound reasons; at least look at their overall body of work before dropping the judgment hammer.
And we shouldn’t have to say that even when journalists get it wrong, they still don’t deserve the death penalty. The United States of America shouldn’t need a Journalist Protection Act – yet here we are.
– Publisher David Brown