NEW YORK—In response to the lawsuit filed by CNN, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel released the following statement:
“We applaud CNN for standing alongside PEN America and bringing their own suit to forcefully defend the rights of correspondent Jim Acosta and all other journalists to cover the White House without fear or favor. The revocation of Jim Acosta’s press pass in unmistakable retaliation for his tough questions of the president was a bald and dangerous infringement on press freedom rights for all to see. CNN and Acosta’s decision to file suit to vindicate his rights and the duty of the media to push hard for answers and accountability for the benefit of our citizenry and our democracy. This is why PEN America has filed our own suit in federal court on October 16 challenging the full breadth of President Trump’s threats and acts of retaliation against journalists and the media, so that no reporter will have to carry out their work under the dark cloud of a vindictive president ready to use the machinery of the bureaucracy to retaliate against hard-hitting coverage.”
###
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. pen.org
CONTACT: Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Manager: [email protected]