National Press Club Statement on the upcoming trial of North Carolina journalists Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit
Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the upcoming trial of North Carolina journalists Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit. Bliss and Coit were covering the eviction of a homeless encampment on December 25, 2021, when they were arrested and charged with trespassing. A trial is scheduled for Wednesday.
“Journalists Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit of the citizen journalism news outlet The Asheville Blade were doing their jobs, reporting on the clearing by local police of a homeless encampment, when they were arrested on December 25, 2021. Police body camera footage shows Bliss and Coit did not endanger anyone or obstruct any police activity. They were performing a public service in reporting on an event of significant importance in their community.
Journalism is not a crime. No journalist should be arrested for their work, no journalist should be prosecuted for their work, and no journalist should be forced to stand trial simply for doing their job. We urge prosecutors in Buncombe County, North Carolina to drop these retaliatory charges before the meritless trial commences of these journalists.”
Background:
- Bodycam footage confirms Asheville police targeted journalists (freedom.press)
- Pointless trial of Asheville journalists will undermine city’s progressive image | NC Newsline
- Prosecutors should drop retaliatory prosecution of Asheville journalists (citizen-times.com)
- Arrests of CNN journalists in Minneapolis denounced by National Press Club & Journalism Institute
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.
Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for The National Press Club