Today, the Atlanta Press Club joins professional journalism organizations in denouncing the detainment of and violence against journalists worldwide. We denounce any unlawful detainment or arrest of journalists and strongly condemn any violence or aggression toward working journalists.
In Atlanta, freelance journalist Haisten Willis and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s staff photographer Alyssa Pointer were detained while reporting about the George Floyd protests in Atlanta. Both were later released.
As the Society of Professional Journalists Georgia wrote in its statement on Monday, “We have seen journalists tear gassed, pepper sprayed, attacked, and arrested by law enforcement across the country. Journalists wearing visible credentials have also been arrested and targeted by police and protestors with acts of violence. Law enforcement must respect journalists’ role in covering events of civil unrest.”
In order to assist our APC journalist members, we are presenting a FREE webinar, “What’s in Your Backpack: A Guide to Reporters’ Rights and Safety While Reporting on Protests” at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday), June 4. This session will provide critical information sourced from the organizations below. Click here to register.
The Society of Professional Journalists Georgia
The Asian American Journalists Association
The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation
The University of Georgia Law School’s First Amendment Clinic
Poynter and others
Please note: The Atlanta Press Club is continuing to issue digital press credentials to current, approved members. Please contact Sheena Roetman for more information.
The mission of the Atlanta Press Club is to serve the evolving professional, educational and social needs of our media community, foster journalistic excellence and advance the public’s understanding of a free press. If you would like to become a member of the Atlanta Press Club, click here. To make a donation in support of our work, click here. To sponsor our events, please contact Paula Hovater at phovater@atlpressclub.org. See our upcoming events listed below.
Thank you for your support of journalists and journalism at this important time.