WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a
joint statement by Angela Greiling
Keane, president of the National Press Club Journalism
Institute, and Michael Freedman,
president of the National Press Club, on the arrest Wednesday night
and continued detention of two reporters for The Daily Caller,
Shelby Talcott and Jorge Ventura, who were covering the protests
after the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case in Louisville.
"We call on the Louisville police to release immediately the two
reporters they have in custody following the protests in Louisville
Wednesday night. Shelby Talcott and
Jorge Ventura should never have been
arrested.
"We understand they are not being allowed to communicate with
their editors, an action which is unacceptable and should be
reversed immediately.
"Louisville police also need to publicly explain their
actions.
"We have seen too many journalists brutalized and detained
recently by police as the reporters covered street protests. Law
enforcement personnel must keep the peace but they need to respect
the First Amendment in Louisville and everywhere else.
"Most police officers nationwide have received training in
interacting with reporters during protests and in other high-stress
contexts. The Louisville police ought to know full well how to act.
Journalists should not be arrested while they are carrying out
constitutionally protected reporting."
The National Press Club is the World's Leading Professional
Organization For Journalists. Founded in 1908, the Club has almost
3,000 members worldwide representing nearly every leading news
organization.
The Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute form a
powerful voice for press freedom worldwide. The Institute promotes
an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press,
and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the
public in ways that inspire civic engagement.
Contact: John M. Donnelly,
National Press Club Press Freedom Committee Chairman, 202-650-6738,
jdonnelly@cq.com.
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SOURCE National Press Club