Schiff, Scanlon Introduce Resolution Denouncing Violence Against Press

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) introduced a resolution to protect journalists and reaffirm the centrality of press freedom on Tuesday.

This resolution reaffirms Congress’s support for the First Amendment right of journalists to do their job and inform the public, and to do so without fear of physical harm or arrest.

The resolution comes in light of violations committed during recent protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, including the arrest of a minority journalist working for CNN. That journalist was the only arrested despite several white journalists also on the scene.

“Journalists are being assaulted, tear-gassed, detained, and arrested on American soil, and black reporters are even more at risk. A free press is essential to any democracy, and reporters need to do their jobs safely. The press are not the enemy – unless you fear the truth,” Schiff said.

Over the last few weeks, millions of Americans have participated in predominantly peaceful demonstrations across the country against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota.

The protests, and sometimes riots, have been covered extensively by local, national, and international media, an activity which is protected by the First Amendment and which is critical to promote accountability, transparency, and democratic values.

In the course of covering demonstrations, many journalists have been harassed, injured, detained, or arrested. As of June 4, the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has received more than 300 reports of press freedom violations. Law enforcement officers have targeted journalists with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets—in many cases even as press credentials were displayed or after they identified themselves as press.

“A free press is the lifeblood of democracy and the media’s role in covering recent protests calling for racial justice has been critical to holding the government, at all levels, accountable,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Assaults on members of the press or attempts to limit their ability to report on government actions are unacceptable in a free society. Additionally, the press must be exempt from curfew restrictions so that journalists can report freely and our resolution addresses both of these issues.”