FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2021
NAHJ condemns violence at the U.S. Capitol, calls for increased press protections
(Washington, DC) – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is firmly committed to protecting the safety of all journalists and news organizations doing the difficult work of keeping our country and communities informed. Following a breach of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters, and the shooting death of one person, the abhorrent events transpiring in our nation’s capital today make clear that journalists are risking their lives every day to carry out a constitutionally-protected role. NAHJ strongly condemns the threats made against members of the press and calls on our affiliate organizations to join us in denouncing the attacks on journalists during the siege in Washington.
NAHJ also calls on all elected officials and law enforcement to commit to ensuring the safety of journalists so they may continue their work unfettered and empowered by the sacred tenets of our Constitution. Demonizing the press, destroying equipment and harassing journalists while they work, particularly during protest and riot coverage, is as much a threat to our nation’s democracy as the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol.
For far too long, many of this country’s leaders have become inured, and through their words have, in effect, perpetuated violence against journalists in the service of political cynicism. This rhetoric not only threatens the lives of our fellow Americans, but also erodes the very pillars upon which our democracy is built.
NAHJ stands with its members and fellow journalists as they valiantly tell the story of this moment and attempt to bridge the gaps of understanding with honest, truthful reporting. We are proud of NAHJ members, who in the face of assault, persist in speaking, writing and broadcasting truth to power.
###
About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in the news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has approximately 2,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on Twitter @NAHJ.
Media Contact:
BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
BA@TheVeritasWay.com
512.630.6337