Legal persecution, imprisonment, physical violence, and even killings have sadly become familiar threats for journalists across the world. They must not now also become commonplace in the United States, where threats of violence and online harassment have in recent years become routine.
This statement was originally published on cpj.org on 6 November 2024.
The United States was founded with press freedom as a cornerstone of its democracy. As the country prepares for a transition of power, following the election of Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States, the board of directors at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stands firmly in defense of a robust press that can report the facts and hold power to account freely and safely.
At this pivotal moment in U.S. history, we urge the next administration and decision makers across government and business to recognize the free press and the factual information that journalists provide as an essential component of democracy, stability, and public safety.
The fundamental right to a free press, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, must not be impaired. Legal persecution, imprisonment, physical violence, and even killings have sadly become familiar threats for journalists across the world. They must not now also become commonplace in the United States, where threats of violence and online harassment have in recent years become routine.
As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, it is our duty to stand firm when journalists are threatened or face peril anywhere in the world. We hold all candidates and political leaders to the same standard. For more than four decades, CPJ has and will continue to hold U.S. administrations accountable for the highest standards at home and for strong advocacy for the rights of journalists around the world.
See also: Special Report: How US election could shape global press freedom
