Schiff, Chabot Statement on World Press Freedom Day
Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Steve Chabot (R-OH), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Freedom of the Press Caucus, issued the following statement in honor of World Press Freedom day:
“A free and independent press is essential to a free and open society, and every day, journalists around the world put their lives on the line to report from war zones and countries with some of the most repressive regimes. In so doing, they play an indispensable role in exposing corruption and abuse of power. Today on World Press Freedom Day, and every day, we must redouble our efforts to protect journalists’ ability to speak truth to power.
“Recent years have been among the most dangerous and deadly for journalists worldwide, as autocratic regimes have sought to detain, restrict, harass, and violently target journalists who work to provide public accountability. With the global rise of disinformation, the presence of journalists in every corner of the world who have the freedom and autonomy to report reliable, accurate information – no matter its implications – has never been more important.
“As the co-chairs of the Freedom of the Press Caucus, we will do our part to continue to highlight wrongful arrests, advocate for press freedom, and champion the right of journalists to do their jobs. The United States must reaffirm its commitment to press freedom at home and abroad, so that journalists everywhere know that America stands by them.”
###