FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2018
Since this statement last week, the White House has responded to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ request for a meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. This morning, CNN announced they filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in D.C. District Court. After a week of bringing together national organizations in support of Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta, NAHJ President Hugo Balta continues to express the association’s unconditional support for the network’s decisions moving forward and demand for Acosta’s credentials to be returned. NAHJ exists to defend the first amendment rights of its members and all journalists working on behalf of the public.
NAHJ President calls on the White House to reinstate press credentials of CNN Correspondent
Washington, D.C. – Today, the President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Hugo Balta, has reached out to the White House to discuss the unjustified suspension of CNN reporter and NAHJ member Jim Acosta’s credentials. Balta contacted Mercedes Schlapp, White House Director of Strategic Communications to schedule a meeting in an effort to resolve this matter expeditiously.
In the past days, the association has been in contact with CNN about this issue, expressed their support for Acosta and the network’s management. NAHJ applauds sister organizations and partners in condemning the decision by the Trump administration and demanding immediate action to right this wrong. International and national organizations such as CPJ, RCFP, WHCA, ASNE/ONA, NABJ, NLGJA, NHMC, Fundamedios USA and SPJ have all issued statements following this week’s events.
“We implore other national organizations to join us in this plight,” said Balta. “Additionally, we ask the public to contact the White House, their local and state representatives demanding the return of Jim Acosta’s credentials and to respect the press who work on their behalf in seeking truth and holding the powerful accountable.”
The presidency and the United States are expected to be the standard from which all other democracies are measured. That image is being tarnished by the Trump administration. Journalism is the bedrock of our democracy; Jim Acosta and every journalist have rights under the first amendment. The decision by the White House to censor Jim Acosta has marred the right of free expression in this country for all.
As members of the Fourth Estate, we will not cease to demand the return of Acosta’s credentials, that the president of the United States recommit himself to a free press and the voice of the American public. A government without a free press, is government on a path to tyranny.
###
About 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 news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has approximately 2,300 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
512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com