United States: Bans and Accreditation Cancellation of Press Organizations

The Journalist Support Committee expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of media freedoms in the United States, whereby some media outlets are banned from covering press conferences and incited against by calling them "Fake News".

The increase in abusive practices against media organizations in the United States under Donald Trump Presidency, for example, on February 24, 2017, several media outlets including The New York Times, Politico, CNN and the BBC were banned from entering a press conference organized by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Such occurrence is dangerous to the media, especially since it happened after the media secretary’s confirmation that the restrictions that were imposed during the Trump presidential campaign will not be repeated when he takes over the presidency of the White House.

The Journalist Support Committee condemns such practices and infringements on media freedom and on the right of access to information guaranteed by article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice.” also, “The right of expression may not be restricted by indirect methods or means, such as the abuse of government or private controls over newsprint, radio broadcasting frequencies, or equipment used in the dissemination of information, or by any other means tending to impede the communication and circulation of ideas and opinions.”

The Committee reiterates its call on the United Nations and international organizations concerned with the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression to address such acts and violations that violates all international conventions and laws in force.

Journalist Support Committee - Switzerland
February 16, 2018