Advocacy

RTDNA believes the role of journalists is to seek and report the truth on behalf of the public, and that a healthy democracy depends on a healthy journalism environment. It is our role as an association to advocate for policies on a state and local level that empower journalists to serve the public. We do this in partnership with our members, state and local journalism associations and other First Amendment groups.

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RTDNA Calls Out Gov. DeSantis for Excluding Journalists From Bill Signing
Posted In: Advocacy, Open Letters,
Date posted May 11

Following reports of journalists being shut out of a bill signing event on May 6, 2021, RTDNA delivered a letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis...

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RTDNA Urges FCC to Reject Calls for Investigations Into Journalistic Activity
Posted In: Advocacy, Open Letters,
Date posted May 10

Today, Shelley sent the following letter underscoring its position that journalists should not be encumbered by the government as they serve the...

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First Amendment Fight Matters for Journalists and for Those We Serve
Posted In: Advocacy, Open Letters,
Date posted May 3

By Dan Shelley Executive Director – RTDNA I’ve been struck by a rock while covering a particularly gnarly strike at a steel...

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Probes Into Police Conduct Must Include Treatment of Press
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Apr 29

RTDNA has joined the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and more than 100 other press freedom and First Amendment groups urging the...

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2021: Data From a Dangerous Year in Journalism
Posted In: Advocacy, RTDNA Research,
Date posted Apr 28

During the past year, the job of seeking and reporting the truth became increasingly dangerous. Journalists were threatened, assaulted and arrested...

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Act Now to Protect Press Freedom
Posted In: Advocacy, Open Letters,
Date posted Apr 7

It’s never been a more dangerous time to be a journalist in America. According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, attacks on the media have...

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Act Now: Right to Record Police Act Needed
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Mar 24

For years, journalists have been arrested and assaulted for recording police activity in public spaces. In the protests following the death of...

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RTDNA Calls For Access to Border Patrol Facilities, Officials
Posted In: Advocacy, Open Letters,
Date posted Mar 18

By Dan Shelley RTDNA Executive Director Today, the Radio Television Digital News Association sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security...

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America’s Fourth Estate Faces Increasing Danger
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Mar 10

Representative Eric Swalwell first introduced the Journalist Protection Act (JPA) to Congress in 2018. This important piece of legislation would...

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Now is the Time to Strengthen America's Right to a Free Press
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Feb 24

Every day, thousands of local journalists help shape the action we take to right wrongs, hold those in power accountable and use our power as...

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No Time for Complacency
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Feb 10

By Dan Shelley RTDNA Executive Director This essay originally appeared in the January 2021 edition of Crain’s NewsPro and is republished with...

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RTDNA Calls for Full Official Accounting of Events at the US Capitol
Posted In: Advocacy,
Date posted Jan 12

The Radio Television Digital News Association today is demanding that the US Capitol Police, the Department of Homeland Security and other...

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