CPJ Goes Where They Have Never Gone Before
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While Journalists around the world are very familiar with the group Committee to Protect Journalists, many Journalists here in the US are not.
CPJ is nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of journalists all around the world.
The group normally is focused on the Middle East and other conflict-stricken areas where journalists routinely face repression and violence. That it not something the press in the States normally has to worry about.
But, thanks to Donald Trump, the CPJ has done something they have never done in their history. The group has had to take action against a person running for President of the United States.
CPJ released a statement recognizing that a Donald Trump presidency would represent a threat to press freedom.
In the statement, it read:
Donald Trump, through his words and actions as a candidate for president of the United States, has consistently betrayed First Amendment values. On October 6, CPJ's board of directors passed a resolution declaring Trump an unprecedented threat to the rights of journalists and to CPJ's ability to advocate for press freedom around the world.
Since the beginning of his candidacy, Trump has insulted and vilified the press and has made his opposition to the media a centerpiece of his campaign. Trump has routinely labeled the press as "dishonest" and "scum" and singled out individual news organizations and journalists.
CPJ has never had to make such a statement about any President or anyone running for President.
It is unbelievable that a group that normally is speaking out about the governments of Iran, Russia and China, is now having to do the same about a candidate here in the US.
No word yet on when Trump will threaten to sue the CPJ for their statement.
