Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced the unanimous passage of a resolution recognizing the pervasive threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world. The bipartisan resolution calls on governments to investigate and resolve cases of violence against journalists and calls on the President and Secretary of State to commit to making freedom of the press a central pillar of U.S. democracy promotion.
“With passage of this resolution, the Senate has made clear that persistent attacks on the media and minimization of journalism as ‘fake news’ are unacceptable,” said Senator Casey. “Journalists take incredible risks to tell the truth about major events in the world, and face intimidation and violence for shining light on corruption and exposing abuse. This resolution recognizes the importance of press freedom for both strong and nascent democracies, and affirms that it should be a central pillar of U.S. policy at home and abroad.”
“Press freedom and freedom of expression are under assault globally,” said Senator Rubio. “This resolution reaffirms our commitment to promoting democratic values and human rights around the world by reinforcing the vital role of a free press.”
“Cases like that of Emilio Gutierrez make it clearer than ever that freedom of the press and journalists are under attack at home and abroad,” said Senator Wyden. “My father was a journalist, and I was raised on the foundational notion that free societies depend upon a free and open press. I will never stop working to uphold the rights of journalists to ask the hard questions and report the facts.”
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