Letting freedom ring

AFTRA backs journos' 1st Amendment rights

By DAVE MCNARY

Connolly

Leaders of the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists have pledged support of their journalist members in the exercise of First Amendment rights, approving a four-part resolution on a unanimous vote.

The union asserted Monday it was releasing the resolution -- approved at last month's national board meeting -- as a reminder of the importance of a free press to the democratic process.

"Unchallenged bans on images of flag-draped military caskets; seizures by federal marshals of reporters' tape recordings; and the admission by a network chief news editor that his war reporting would be in the context of a 'patriot first and a journalist second' rightly leave many in the public questioning the reliability of their news media," AFTRA said. "As the union representing America's broadcast journalists, AFTRA must take a principled, inflexible and unflinching stand on behalf of the right of Americans to know the truth and of reporters to tell that truth."

AFTRA prexy John Connolly credited the union's Seattle local and AFTRA's council of local presidents for originating the resolution. He noted the move is in line with the union's ongoing efforts to promote democracy in the media and noted its long-standing opposition to the easing of ownership restriction for mega-congloms.

Resistance urged

The resolution urged AFTRA's broadcast members to resist illegal government restraints on the reporting of news, including the improper seizure by law enforcement personnel of notes, tapes, film or other media. It also urged the following:

• Media employers should utilize their resources to defend employees' right to report, including legal representation and political lobbying.

• All federal, state and local government agencies and their employees should immediately cease efforts to limit the freedom to report and the freedom to know.
  • Presidential candidates should reaffirm their support for the First Amendment through a public commitment that their administrations will not attempt to illegally restrict the right of reporters to gather and disseminate information.