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 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 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 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’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