SABEW has launched an important initiative through our First Amendment Committee. Our goal is to accomplish several things:
- Advocate for SABEW members and for the press (broadly defined). Too often, journalists are experiencing serious risks and threats, both externally and internally. The threats include verbal attacks and reduced access from government, violence abroad and continued disruption of news media business models.
- Explore training and events related to press freedom, transparency and access to data.
- Release public statements when appropriate.
Recent Public Statements
Recent Public Statements, continued
2023
- SABEW celebrates 4th of July and the public's right to fact-based, independent data
- SABEW recognizes the challenges facing LGBTQ+ journalists
- SABEW recognizes World Press Freedom Day, urges release of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich
- SABEW condemns the arrest of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia
- SABEW Calls on Digital Platforms to Ensure Free Speech
- SABEW and 24 other journalism organizations sent a letter to the White House requesting a meeting with Scientific Integrity Task Force to discuss ways to protect against federal interference in newsgathering. The groups would like to see the White House Scientific Integrity Task Force recommend agencies:
- eliminate restrictions on employees speaking to reporters without notification of authorities, especially before but also after the contact;
- credential journalists to enter, without escort, any area of federal facilities where most employees are allowed to enter;
- and make it standard policy that when reporters voluntarily contact public information offices, they are allowed to speak to the people they request.
2022
- SABEW calls on Twitter to restore freedom of speech to its platform
- SABEW expresses concern over FOIA compliance
- SABEW marks Labor Day with a call to protect access to employment data
- Statement on threat to free speech this Independence Day
- SABEW's statement on #WorldPressFreedomDay
- SABEW supports Sunshine Week, denounces Russia’s new censorship law
- SABEW condemns attacks on journalists, offers virtual training on covering the economic impact of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine
- SABEW condemns the treatment of journalists covering the protests in Canada
- Attacks on journalists remain a problem one-year after Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection
