Wednesday, May 7, 2013
CONTACT: Nikolina Lazic, nikolina@prwatch.org
Take a Stand Now for a Free Press
Tell President Obama America's Best Reporters Should Be on the Beat, Not in Jail
Please join with Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg to take action now for freedom of the press.
He’s working with us to launch an urgent petition -- at this crucial time for the First Amendment.
To join with Ellsberg in signing the petition, click here.
The U.S. government is insisting that award-wining New York Times "national security" reporter James Risen reveal a confidential source -- or go to jail. Risen says he won’t capitulate.
Now you can let this journalist and top government officials know that you’re in solidarity with his brave stand for a free press. Sign the petition "We Support James Risen Because We Support a Free Press."
The Freedom of the Press Foundation has called the government's effort to force Risen to reveal a source "one of the most significant press freedom cases in decades."
Why is your support so important?
A recent brief from the Obama administration to the nation’s top court "is unflinchingly hostile to the idea of the Supreme Court creating or finding protections for journalists," Politico reported.
The newspaper added that Risen "might be sent to jail or fined if he refuses to identify his sources or testify about other details of his reporting."
Daniel Ellsberg says: "The pursuit of Risen is a warning to potential sources that journalists cannot promise them confidentiality for disclosing Executive Branch criminality, recklessness, deception, unconstitutional policies or lying us into war. Without protecting confidentiality, investigative journalism required for accountability and democracy will wither and disappear."
So much is at stake: for whistleblowers, freedom of the press and the public’s right to know. And for democracy.
That’s why our team at The Progressive/Center for Media and Democracy is joining forces with Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), the Freedom of the Press Foundation and The Nation magazine and others to insist on protection for the confidentiality of journalists’ sources.
Learn more about this troubling case here.
Thank you for taking action!
--- Matt Rothschild
The Progressive/Center for Media and Democracy
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