Blog
ASNE (NLA) Celebrates World Press Freedom Day
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 05/03/2019 14:30:49
- In: Freedom of the press
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the American Society of News Editors stands with journalists in the United States and worldwide who continue to serve the public in the face of ongoing physical and verbal assaults. According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, in just the first 4 months of 2019, there have been 5 journalists arrested and 10 journalists attacked in the United States alone. Those numbers pale in comparison to similar data regarding journalists outside the United States. Thankfully, none of those attacks have resulted in death, though tragedy, of course, has struck close to home since last year's World Press Freedom Day, as five of our colleagues at the Capitol Gazette in Annapolis, MD were murdered in their own newsroom on June 28, 2018.
It is clear – in the United States or elsewhere – that the legal and physical threats facing journalists are as dangerous as ever. It is also clear that the work we do is as important as ever. Thank you to all those who support a free press today and every day.
Nancy Barnes
ASNE President
Senior Vice President of News and Editorial Director, NPR