As we head into what is going to be a truly historic election, we must remember the importance of the freedoms granted by the First Amendment and the value of the free press. For many years – but especially in the last four years – journalists in the United States have been literally under attack for doing their jobs.
The Fallen Journalists Memorial (FJM) Foundation, News Media Alliance, National Newspaper Association and National Association of Broadcasters today commended the U.S. House of Representatives on passing bipartisan legislation authorizing the FJM Foundation to establish a national memorial that honors the many reporters, editors, photographers and broadcasters who have lost their lives reporting the news.
A national memorial is important for paying tribute to journalists who perished not only while reporting on the front lines of battle, but those whose lives were lost while simply fulfilling their duty to deliver the news. That was the message delivered at a December 4, 2019, Congressional hearing by advocates for legislation to establish a Fallen Journalists Memorial in Washington, DC.
In preparation for the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission meeting today, the News Media Alliance submitted a written statement to show its support for the establishment of a Fallen Journalists Memorial.
June 28 will always be a hard day for any journalist – that was the day, exactly one year ago, that five newsroom staffers were lost to the hands of a gunman who shot his way into The Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis, Maryland, barring a grudge against the local paper. While the gunman was later arrested and will soon stand trial, The Capital Gazette is only one of many newsrooms that have faced losses in the past year.
One year ago, on June 28, 2018, the lives of five newsroom employees from The Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, were senselessly taken by gun violence. Today, we honor those victims — and the three dozen other journalists lost around the world in the last year — by celebrating Maryland Freedom of the Press Day.
The News Media Alliance applauds Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) for introducing the “Fallen Journalists Memorial Act of 2019.”
I wonder how Facebook’s famous secret algorithms weigh and balance the value of Milo Yiannopoulos’ garbage verses the work of real journalists – like those at the Capital Gazette?
We are one family, and we mourn the senseless tragedy at the Capital Gazette together. Run this ad in your publications to show your support for and solidarity with the Gazette.
