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NPC praises reporter protection law
National Press Club President Jerry Zremski today lauded the House Judiciary Committee's passage of the Free Flow of Information Act, the so-called "shield law" aimed at protecting journalists and their confidential sources. "The Free Flow of Information Act, as well as similar legislation in the Senate, offers journalists the protection they have earned under the First Amendment to engage in the reporting that ensures the American public continues to enjoy its right to know so elegantly etched into our Constitution," Zremski said. The National Press Club is part of a coalition of more than…
Type: News
NPC calls attention to shield law hearing
n Thursday, June 14, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the federal reporter-source shield law (H.R. 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007) sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.). Scheduled to testify are New York Times columnist William Safire, media attorney Lee Levine of Levine, Sullivan, Koch & Schulz, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eliason, now with the George Washington School of Law, and a representative from the Justice Department. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington. In advance of…
Type: News
Members urged to support BBC journalist Alan Johnston
National Press Club President Jerry Zremski today urged Club members to sign an online petition calling for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who was seized on the Gaza Strip on March 12 and has not been seen since. The online petition can be found here. "Alan Johnston is a journalist of great courage who lived in Gaza for three years, telling the story of the Palestinian people," Zremski said. "I am hoping our members will show their support for him by joining the thousands who have already signed this petition." The petition states: We, the undersigned, demand the immediate…
Type: News
FOIA Letter to Senators Reid and McConnell
The Honorable Harry ReidMajority LeaderUnited States SenateS-221Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mitch McConnellMinority LeaderUnited States SenateS-230Washington, DC 20510 May 22, 2007 Dear Senator Reid and Senator McConnell: Please add the voice of the National Press Club to those who have already expressed so well their support for S. 849, the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act, known as the OPEN Government Act. We respectfully urge the Senate to act quickly on passage of this important, bipartisan reform to the Freedom of Information Act. A similar measure…
Type: News
NPC Sends Letter of Concern to Putin
The National Press Club has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing the Club's concern about press freedom in Russia. The text of the letter follows: Dear President Putin: News of the death of Boris Yeltsin, the first popularly elected president of post-Soviet Russia, called to mind the great sense of optimism that surrounded his ascent in the wake of changes initiated under Mikhail Gorbachev. Many people in your nation and around the world hailed the prospect of a free and democratic Russia, and harbored hope that the fruits of liberty might nourish the hopes and…
Type: News
Federal Shield Law
The National Press Club today joined more than 40 journalism organizations and media companies in endorsing a federal shield law that was introduced today in the House of Representatives. "As we mark World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, introduction of a federal shield law could not be more timely," said NPC President Jerry Zremski. "Reporters around the globe are constantly jailed or threatened with jail for their work. That this should happen in the United States is deplorable, yet with disturbing frequency we're seeing reporters subpoenaed and imprisoned for refusing to reveal confidential…
Type: News
National Press Club Defends Subpoenaed Reporters
The National Press Club today announced its opposition to the U.S. Army's subpoenas of Oakland, Calif., freelance journalist Sarah Olson and Honolulu Star Bulletin reporter Gregg Kakesako. The subpoenas call for the reporters to testify at the Feb. 5 court martial of Army Lt. Ehren Watada, who refused to deploy to Iraq and made several disparaging remarks about the conduct of the war. A petition calling for the dismissal of the subpoena has been posted on the web. "The National Press Club vehemently opposes any effort to subpoena reporters over their work," said NPC President Jerry Zremski,…
Type: News
National Press Club Backs C-SPAN's Call For A More Open Congress
The National Press Club today supported a call by C-SPAN for a more open U.S. House of Representatives. C-SPAN, which has used its access to Congress to inform Americans in a responsible and reliable manner for decades, recently asked incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to ease restrictions on what its cameras can film of the House floor and to provide immediate access to electronic records of House votes. Both actions are needed to give the public a fuller accounting of Congress. Representative Pelosi turned down the request for greater camera access and is considering the request regarding…
Type: News
New muffins, pastries at Members' self-serve breakfast
Club members who stop by the Reliable Source for breakfast are now offered freshly baked pastries and bite-sized muffins in addition to the fruit, bagels and other goodies on the continental breakfast buffet. Executive Chef Susan Delbert reports that "replacing the iced Danish of old, the Press Club is now baking pastries every morning so they are served out-of-the-oven warm to members or Press Club guests who arrive early. "Even if not warm, the new pastries are smaller, flakier and trans fat free - all positive changes and responses to many requests from members for healthier breakfast…
Type: News
Club plea for imprisoned Ethiopian journalist published in New York Review of Books
National Press Club President Mark Hamrick joined with other journalism leaders to urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to take action against Ethiopia for imprisoning a journalist. Hamrick is one of five people who signed a letter published in the current issue of The New York Review of Books on behalf of Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega. Ethiopian authorities arrested Nega in September, shortly after he published an online column calling for an end to torture in Ethiopian prisons and advocated for freedom of expression. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death. The letter calls on…
Type: News