FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2018
This statement has been updated to include response to the decision by The White House to revoke Jim Acosta’s credentials.
NAHJ President condemns attack of White House Correspondent Jim Acosta
Washington, D.C. – President Hugo Balta of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) condemns the treatment of CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent and NAHJ Member Jim Acosta, during President Trump’s press conference and the decision to revoke his press pass. By harassing the journalist for simply doing his job and deeming Acosta as the “enemy of the people”, President Trump is engaging in a calculated effort of putting a target on this journalist’s back.
Additionally, this evening’s announcement to revoke Acosta’s credentials is the latest intimidation tactic by the Trump administration to silence the press. The accusation that Acosta “placed his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern” is not true. The video recorded at the press briefing shows him putting his arm on top of hers as she tried to take the microphone away. The video documented publicly, can be found here.
“The President of the United States is undermining American democracy,” said Balta. “Our association will commit to holding this administration accountable for any harm they cause to all journalists by these types of incessant attacks.”
“I have reached out to our colleagues at CNN to see how we can support Jim and the best way we can work together to help move forward,” Balta added.
Following two relentless years of rhetoric in an attempt to cause distrust for political gain, there is no indication Trump will lessen his affronts on the media. As journalists we must continue our commitment to our freedom and an unwavering pursuit of truth. We have a duty to hold government accountable and cannot tolerate those that target our journalists who are upholding the First Amendment.
NAHJ continues to stand with journalists everywhere who are simply doing their jobs on behalf of the public in pursuing truth and holding the powerful accountable for their statements and their actions.
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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
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512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com