The Journalism Program signed on this week to a letter in support of a free press, to be delivered to the White House and Congress on May 1. For the full list of signatories, follow this link.
The text of the letter is copied below:
We, the undersigned, write to express our deep concern over the escalating hostility toward the free press under the current executive and legislative leadership in Washington, DC. A series of actions have undermined the foundational principles of press freedom, threatening the First Amendment and the public’s right to information. These alarming developments are not just attacks on individual journalists or news organizations—they are direct assaults on democracy itself.
Recent actions restricting access to critical government institutions exemplify this dangerous trend. The White House’s attempts to exclude Associated Press journalists from press briefings despite a US District court ruling), the Pentagon’s increased secrecy, and a congressional hearing designed solely to attack NPR and PBS all indicate an effort to intimidate and silence independent reporting. Such measures erode transparency, accountability, and the public’s ability to stay informed about the workings of its own government.
One egregious example is the effort to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The current administration’s sweeping executive order placing over 1,300 VOA employees on administrative leave has effectively silenced this crucial institution. This move not only weakens the United States’ standing as a global defender of free speech but also empowers authoritarian regimes that seek to control information. (Update: on April 22, Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia blocked the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America.)
And on March 26, after a hearing of the House DOGE Subcommittee, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, introduced a bill to eliminate all government funding to NPR and PBS. Both of these organizations provide a vital service that fosters community and unity by delivering fact-based news and educational programming that appeals to people across the political spectrum. They also ensure rural communities have access to critical information during emergencies that inform readers and protect lives.
We are at a perilous crossroads. The integrity of independent media and the safety of journalists are under siege, both at home and abroad. The erosion of press freedoms sets a dangerous precedent, threatening the very fabric of a functioning democracy.
Therefore, we call not only on the United States government and the elected leaders in the executive and legislative branches to take immediate action, but we also urgently appeal to the public to recognize the severity of these threats. Now more than ever, Americans must be vigilant in defending press freedom and standing up for the First Amendment.
We call for the following:
1. Restore Press Access Immediately: Reverse restrictions that limit journalists’ ability to cover the White House, the Pentagon, and other government institutions.
2. Protect Public Media: End efforts to undermine NPR, PBS, and other publicly funded news organizations, ensuring they remain independent from political pressure.
3. Reinstate Funding and Operations for Voice of America: Fully restore VOA and USAGM, allowing them to continue their mission of delivering unbiased news worldwide.
4. Respect and Honor Journalistic Integrity: Safeguard the independence of all journalistic institutions and uphold the First Amendment’s protections against government interference.
5. Lead on Global Press Freedom: Reaffirm America’s commitment to free press initiatives and defend journalists who risk their lives to report the truth.
A free and independent press is the cornerstone of democracy. The world looks to the United States as a beacon of press freedom—now is the time to prove that we remain committed to that ideal. We urge immediate action to protect the press and preserve the public’s right to hold power to account.
Sincerely,