Independent journalists needed more then ever in the United States
The USA White House. Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP
Press freedom is in danger in the United States: after President Donald Trump's repeated attacks against American media, the escalation grew this week-end with the ban of several media which were denied access to the White House press conference and the announcement by President Trump that he will not attend the White House's correspondents' annual dinner, which has been organized since 1921 in the United States.For the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) the ban of some media to the White House's press conference is a first step toward censorship, in a country where First Amendment of the Constitution prohibits “law abridging freedom of expression, or of the press”. And the contempt of the US President to the critical press is meant to undermine the press role as “watchdog of democracy”.“Independent journalists are needed more then ever in the United States to scrutinize the government's work, declared IFJ President Philippe Leruth. And their response to the White House's contempt must go through a high quality journalism respectful of its ethical duties as well trough professional solidarity between journalists. In this prospect, the refusal of some media which were allowed to the White House Press conference and which refused to take part because of the ban imposed to colleagues is really comforting”.The IFJ which represents 600000 journalists in the world stands with its American member-unions and with all press freedom and freedom of expression's defense organizations in the United States, to defend press freedom and freedom of expression which is an essential component of democracy