Resolution Two 2007
Resolution Two: To Protect Journalists from the Influence of Special Interests
Moved: Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility
Whereas the National Football League has created a new policy requiring members of news organizations to wear vests emblazoned with corporate logos while covering NFL games, and,
Whereas journalists should not be required to wear the emblem or logo of any particular corporation, organization or special interest group other than their own employers, and,
Whereas for government or commercial interests to require wearing product or other marketing insignia as a condition of admission to covering public and newsworthy events is a violation of the freedom of information, and,
Whereas the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and its members support the right of a free press corps to record news events unfettered by the corporate or commercial interest of any particular organization, and,
Whereas our members believe that, because working journalists often put their personal safety at great peril to bring viewers and readers the daily news, they should never be diminished or humiliated by being made into walking billboards or advertisements for any organization, and,
Whereas coverage of such sporting events as NFL football greatly enhances the reputation and popularity of the league, and any arbitrary and restrictive action could threaten the continued coverage of the NFL by news organizations,
Therefore, be it resolved:
That we, the members of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, join such organizations as the Radio Television News Directors’ Association, the National Press Photographers Association, and the Society for News Design in protesting most strongly this new policy to the National Football League, and,
That the president of AEJMC be directed to write to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, expressing the sentiments of this resolution and the AEJMC members’ objections to this violation of free expression for journalists in the strongest possible terms before the beginning of the regular football season., and,
That AEJMC be directed to convey the sense of this resolution to:
- The membership of AEJMC
- The general news media and trade press, and
- Any and all such other organizations that relate to Freedom of the Press and the freedom of expression.
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