SABEW has launched an important initiative through our First Amendment Committee. We’re looking 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.


Public statements and events

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.

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

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

SABEW Calls on Biden Administration to Safeguard Afghan Journalists

SABEW celebrates Independence Day by championing press freedom

SABW celebrates World Press Freedom Day

SABEW calls on public officials to improve dissemination of pandemic information

SABEW calls for the extradition of the murderer of WSJ reporter Daniel Pearl

SABEW calls on the President-elect to protect the First Amendment

SABEW condemns the attacks on journalists during the insurrection at the Capitol

SABEW calls on Chinese authorities for details about a detained member of Bloomberg News’ Beijing Bureau

SABEW’s statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding President Trump’s financial records

SABEW calls on the SBA and Treasury to publicly release PPP loan recipients

• SABEW stands in support of our colleagues and condemns violence against members of the media who are doing essential work in support of our constitutional democracy.

SABEW urges the Trump Administration to rethink economic reporting policies

SABEW supports World Press Freedom Day

SABEW statement on data releases and coronavirus

BLS delays implementation of the proposed changes to lock-up policy

SABEW supports Sunshine week

SABEW calls on the Trump administration to provide the public with timely, accurate information about the coronavirus

SABEW calls on the Trump administration to share its rationale behind the change to the BLS lockups process

Read 2017-2019 First Amendment releases.