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The Society of Professional Journalists “supports full transparency in the prosecution of the suspect in the killing of commentator Charlie Kirk,” SPJ said in a Nov. 10 statement.
“Open judicial proceedings are a cornerstone of public trust, and access for journalists ensures accountability, accuracy and confidence in the justice system,” according to the statement. “SPJ joins other media organizations in urging the court to permit cameras and full press access during all phases of the court proceedings stemming from Kirk’s fatal shooting Sept. 10. When justice is carried out in the open, the public’s faith in its fairness grows — and that is vital to both democracy and the free press.”
“Journalists serve as watchdogs for the public,” the statement quoted SPJ National President Chris R. Vaccaro as saying. “If they are denied access to court proceedings, they cannot do their job, undermining both the public’s right to know and freedom of the press protected by the First Amendment,” Vaccaro said.
Read the entire text of the statement here.
SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter 