Advocacy
Our fight at the frontlines of upholding journalism.
NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 5, 2022 – A coalition representing thousands of journalists nationwide, led by the Deadline Club, the New York City professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), signed an unprecedented letter urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to veto a measure passed by the New York State Legislature. The bill would restrict the sale of body armor in the wake of the May 14 mass shooting in Buffalo and repeated gun violence around the country.
“The legislation is well-intentioned but includes a serious flaw that jeopardizes the safety of journalists,” said Deadline Club President Colin DeVries. “It could seriously hamper news gathering at active crime scenes and sites of civil unrest, as well as for journalists headed to conflict zones abroad.
“Body armor is one of the tools of the trade for any New York–based reporter covering a hot spot,” DeVries continued. “It is necessary equipment for reporters and photojournalists whose jobs take them to dangerous places.”
First Amendment Advocacy
The Deadline Club and the Society of Professional Journalists are ardent protectors of the First Amendment and the right granted to journalists to exercise freedom of the press.
Learn more about the national efforts to support press freedom here. Locally, the Deadline Club has been involved in numerous journalism advocacy efforts in New York City.
If you are a working journalist in the New York City area and believe your access to cover an event has been restricted or denied—or you have witnessed such interference—click HERE to contact us. We’ll keep your identity confidential if you prefer.
The Club also sponsors First Amendment events throughout the year, including workshops about filing Freedom of Information requests both nationally and in New York State.
Learn about SPJ’s legal defense fund and how to apply for assistance.
New York City Press Corps Freedom of Information Advocacy Survey and Letter
A Consortium of New York City news organizations and outlets, including the Deadline Club, is gathering information on the city’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) with the aim of publicizing the current system’s strengths and and weaknesses, and advocating for ways to improve the system. How can you help? Please share your experiences with the FOIL system for ideas and strengthening it in this survey Use the password: foil2019! to access the survey. If you can’t access the hyperlink above, here is the link: https://citylimits.org/foil-highlights-and-horrors/#1.