Journalists Push for Senate Hearing on a Free and Unfettered Press

The Society of Professional Journalists and 29 other journalism and open government organizations sent a letter today to Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) urging the Senate Commerce Committee to hold a hearing on the state of media in the United States.

The letter follows one sent in May by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, requesting this hearing. The Committee last hosted a hearing on the Future of Journalism in May 2009. It plays an important role in shaping the environment in which journalism and media exist and in which journalists seek to work safely.

"We believe now is the time to reaffirm the importance of a free and unfetteRed Press, which has been a cornerstone of democracy for the past 240 years," the letter states. "Having an open discussion where journalists can talk about their professions, the industry and explain how it all works will hopefully help rebuild trust in a pillar of our democracy, reaffirming to the American people the link between the strength of our nation's democracy and its free press." ### SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.