SPJ joins campaign to #DefendPressFreedom

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9/13/2018

Contacts:
Rebecca Baker, SPJ National President, (203) 640-3904 , rbaker@spj.org
Isaac Taylor, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, itaylor@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Society of Professional Journalists joins Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 19 other organizations in launching a campaign today to encourage voters to ask their congressional candidates in the United States midterm elections where they stand on press freedom.

The campaign seeks to galvanize the American public in protecting and defending the First Amendment.

“Every day, local journalists expose corruption and incompetence in local government,” SPJ National President Rebecca Baker said. “Journalists need the help of voters to ensure press freedom is always protected. Let’s do all we can to help journalists in our own communities in that fight.”

As the U.S. midterm elections approach, SPJ, RSF and a coalition of other partners, are launching the #DefendPressFreedom campaign, which urges voters to contact their candidate through phone calls, letters, at town hall meetings, or on social media, and ask them where they stand on press freedom.

By igniting this campaign, the groups hope to bring to light the critically important role that journalists play in the United States, as well as the dire need to preserve press freedom in the midst of its concerningly steady decline.

It’s time to remind those running for office of the importance of an independent and free media. It’s time to #DefendPressFreedom.

“This is not a partisan issue; it is a fundamental right that impacts every American no matter their politics,” says Margaux Ewen, RSF’s North America Director. “In a democracy like the United States, no journalist should be arrested, assaulted, or threatened for simply doing their job.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit the #DefendPressFreedom webpage.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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