(WASHINGTON)–PEN America said the Trump administration’s subpoenas to New York Times journalists as part of a leak investigation signals an escalation in the federal government’s campaign against independent journalism.
“Yet again, we’re seeing an administration that fears accountability ramping up its efforts to silence the journalists who provide it,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America. “This latest attempt by the Trump administration to suppress independent reporting, wrapped in language of a national security leak investigation, is another effort to intimidate all journalists over news coverage the president doesn’t like. It’s also a warning to federal employees considering whether to share information of public interest. As the government must know, the result will be a chilling effect that makes it harder for the public to know what federal officials are doing. The administration should withdraw these subpoenas and end its campaign of intimidation against news organizations.”
The administration issued the subpoenas Friday to reporters involved in coverage of security concerns connected to the president’s new Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar and doesn’t have the same security features as the older aircraft. The subpoenas, some of which the Times said were delivered by federal agents to reporters’ homes, seek to force the journalists to testify before a federal grand jury on Wednesday.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free 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. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057