| Editors group protests discriminatory visa policy
Published: May 03, 2004
Last Updated: May 25, 2004
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RESTON, Va. — The American
Society of Newspaper Editors sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell
and Secretary of Homeland Defense Tom Ridge
today, World Press Freedom Day, protesting discriminatory practices that
require journalists from 27 "friendly" nations to obtain visas to enter
the United States while citizens from those same countries are not required
to have visas for visits up to 90 days.
"Over the past 12
months, a number of foreign journalists have been seized at our borders and
deported forcibly to their home countries," wrote
Karla Garrett Harshaw, ASNE president, and Cynthia Tucker, chair of the ASNE
International Committee. "Many have been mistreated and prevented from
making telephone calls that could have clarified their status, violating diplomatic
rules concerning nationals arrested in a foreign country."
Harshaw and Tucker point
out that although none of the friendly nations involved have responded in
kind, "the
actions of our government could lead to a degradation of the atmosphere of
mutual trust that has traditionally been
extended professional journalists in these nations."
Calling the requirements "anathema," ASNE
called on Powell and Ridge to use World Press Freedom Day as an opportunity
to change the current
interpretation of the Immigration and Nationality Act or to join with congressional
leaders to amend Section 221 (G) of the Act to allow journalists short-term
entry into the United States without visas.
The American Society of Newspaper Editors, with about 750 members, is the
principal organization of American newspaper editors. It is active in a number
of areas, including open government, freedom of the press, journalism credibility
and ethics, newsroom management, diversity and readership.
For more information contact Kevin Wilcox, kwilcox@asne.org, 703-453-1132.
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