NWU strongly supports the IFJ motion condemning attacks on journalists abroad and at home. Repression in its many forms is a hallmark of fascism, and we support our media colleagues in continuing to bear witness to the actions of the Trump administration and their right to do so unimpeded and unharmed.
The motion was brought jointly by NWU, the NewsGuild-CWA, and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). Read the full motion below:
Multiple journalists working as freelancers and for news organisations have been shot by tear gas, rubber bullets and less lethal munitions in Los Angeles in recent days. Several journalists have also been inappropriately ordered to disperse while reporting on the protests and had their property inappropriately searched.
The fact these journalists were targeted by authorities while covering political protests in the US is evidence of the lengths media workers go to report the truth.
Journalists reporting from the frontline of protests and wars fulfill the essential role of bearing witness, and should be accorded the same protections as other frontline workers. U.S. federal and state laws protect the rights of journalists to do their jobs.
No one deserves to be shot, targeted or injured during the course of their work.
