On this World Press Freedom Day, the News/Media Alliance pays tribute to all journalists in recognition of their vital service to their communities. Journalists go to great lengths to inform communities and hold governments accountable, often at great risk to their own personal safety or liberty. It is incumbent upon us all to demand that governments fulfill their duties to respect press freedoms.
From the police raid on the Marion County Record newsroom in Kansas, the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German in Las Vegas, to the continued wrongful detainment of American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia, it is clear that we have a long way to go in securing press freedoms both at home and across the globe. The newly released World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders sheds further light on the ongoing threats to press freedom that journalists face around the world.
The Alliance is dedicated to advocating for better press freedoms and protections, including most imminently for the passage of the PRESS Act which would give journalists a much-needed federal reporter shield law.
Charlotte McBirney is Senior Counsel and Director, Public Policy for the News/Media Alliance.
