COLUMBIA, Mo. – Religion News Service intends to join the amicus brief in support of CNN and its journalist Jim Acosta against President Donald Trump and his key White House staff members. The First Amendment’s freedom of the press is sacrosanct under the U.S. Constitution and necessary for a healthy democracy. The arbitrary revocation of Mr. Acosta’s so-called “hard pass” is an extraordinary denial of this freedom where, as here, it is clear the White House dislikes the questions asked by the journalist. This is unacceptable. Moreover, the implementation of this decision fundamentally failed the Fifth Amendment guarantee of due process. Again, this is unacceptable.
The White House must immediately reinstate Mr. Acosta’s press credentials in order for him to report on the White House and the presidency. “Should the White House continue to resist the reinstatement of Mr. Acosta’s press credentials, we expect that the court will require the president and White House to do so,” said Thomas Gallagher, CEO and publisher, Religion News Service.
###
Religion News Service is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary and is relied upon by secular and faith-based news organizations in a number of countries. RNS is a subsidiary of the Religion News Foundation and affiliated with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. For more information, visit religionnews.com.