A View from the Field: Protecting Journalists' Rights
Advocates speaking out against the unjust detention of Mario Guevara
A View from the Field is an ongoing feature that highlights the efforts of Free Press’ team of organizers and advocates.
We provide regular updates from the field as staffers work alongside our amazing allies and activists to create a just and equitable media system.
Nora Benavidez has been working with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation and other groups to call for the release of Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language journalist who has been in ICE detention for two months. Guevara was arrested on First Amendment-related charges while livestreaming a “No Kings” protest in an Atlanta suburb on June 14. He is currently the only journalist in custody in the United States whose arrest is related to the work of newsgathering. Nora took part in a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol to call for Guevera’s release. Learn more about Guevara’s case.
Nora moderated “From UNICEF to NPR: Trump’s Cuts End Here,” a town hall that Free Press Action, Public Citizen and other groups helped organize. The discussion highlighted the Trump administration’s demand that Congress claw back billions of dollars in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, disaster-relief programs and essential international efforts. Republicans in Congress approved the devastating rescission request days after the town hall, and in August the CPB announced it would need to shut down by the end of the year.
Nora also took part in the panel discussion “Protests, Pressure and Press Freedom: Reporting in a Time of Escalating Risk” at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference in Chicago. The conversation examined how to report safely and effectively at a time of skyrocketing threats.
Julio Ricardo Varela took part in “Strengthening Latino Representation in Newsrooms,” a webinar that the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute hosted. The conversation explored strategies for change and considered how to shift toward more inclusive, accurate and empowering media coverage.
Ruth L. Nuñez, Heather Franklin and Vanessa Maria Graber presented Free Press’ “Organizing Against Authoritarianism” toolkit at a pre-conference training for Netroots. This toolkit is designed to give journalists, newsrooms, activists and others ways to stay safe while pushing back against authoritarian threats. “Every day, the Trump regime deploys strategies from the classic authoritarian playbook in its aggressive attempt to dismantle our democracy,” the toolkit reads. “ … We must hold the line with coordinated collective actions across political parties, civil society, media and the people.”
Matt Wood took part in the NARUC Summer Policy Summit in Boston, where he discussed the FCC’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding — a brazen attempt to roll back consumer safeguards for industry’s convenience.