Drop the Charges Against Journalist Jenni Monet
Journalist Jenni Monet was arrested on Feb. 1 while reporting at Standing Rock and is now facing riot and trespassing charges for covering the #NoDAPL movement.1
This is a press freedom violation and an obvious attempt to punish journalists who report on Standing Rock. It’s not the first time something like this has happened: Last September Amy Goodman and several independent journalists faced similar charges.2 We must show up for Monet the same way we showed up for Goodman.
If the authorities in Morton County and the company seeking to build the Dakota Access Pipeline had their way, the world wouldn't see their total disregard for the land and water rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Morton County's actions are designed to intimidate journalists like Monet and Goodman and to silence the indigenous coalition that has stepped up to safeguard access to clean water.
A threat to any journalist is a threat to all journalists, and a threat to press freedom is a threat to democracy.
Tell North Dakota: Journalism is not a crime. Drop the charges against Jenni Monet.
1. “Journalist Facing 'Riot' and 'Trespassing' Charges for Covering Dakota Access Pipeline Protests,” Women in the World, Feb. 13, 2017: http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/02/13/journalist-facing-riot-and-trespassing-charges-for-covering-dakota-access-pipeline-protests/
2. “Journalism and the First Amendment on Trial at Standing Rock,” Free Press, Feb. 14, 2017: http://www.freepress.net/blog/2017/02/14/journalism-and-first-amendment-trial-standing-rock