PROPOSED Resolution on Summit for Democracy
Whereas the Biden Administration has called for a Summit for Democracy to be held December 9-10, 2021, with the stated aim to “bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action”, and
Whereas the 2021 summit is designed to address the following three themes: 1.) Defending against authoritarianism; 2.) Addressing and fighting corruption and 3.) Advancing respect for human rights, and
Whereas the protection and support of free and independent news media is one of the surest ways to address all three points, and
http://• https://www.state.gov/summit-for-democracy/#Summit
Whereas threats to the practice of free and independent news gathering and reporting are evident throughout the world, and
Whereas the Summit will be held just a few days before December 15, the 230
th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, which includes protection of press freedom under the First Amendment, therefore
Be it resolved that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in virtual convention on September 4, 202, call on the Biden Administration to ensure representation a wide range of journalism organizations from around the world at the Democracy Summit, and
Be it further resolved that the Society as the oldest and most inclusive journalism organization in the United States makes it clear we stand ready to participate in this summit in cooperation with other journalism organizations to vigorously promote the defense and promotion of free and independent journalism around the word; and
Be it further resolved we encourage our local chapters to reach out to local refugee and immigrant organizations to conduct programs in December that draws attention to the threats to press freedom and how those threats impact the rights we enjoy under the U.S. Constitution especially the Bill of Rights, and
Be it finally resolved copies of this resolution be sent to the White House and the Office of Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State.
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