Recent actions threaten free speech, free press, and the free flow of information
By the Board of Directors of ACES: The Society for Editing
A series of recent government actions has raised serious questions about free speech, press freedom, and the free flow of information. Over the past few months, the Justice Department, the Pentagon, and the White House have taken steps that directly affect free speech and journalistic freedom. The Board of Directors of ACES: The Society for Editing condemns actions that lessen the ability of people to be heard and informed in our democracy.
ACES: The Society for Editing is dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. It sets standards of excellence and gives a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, and beyond. A core belief among editors is the right of people to be heard, and we support the free exercise of that right for everyone. The editor’s work depends on the clarity, accuracy, and integrity of the written word. It depends on a free and open information environment. We stand against attempts to curtail the First Amendment rights to speech, the press, and assembly. The actions described below directly threaten these principles.
What has happened?
The FBI executed a search warrant at the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, seizing her personal devices and work materials. The Justice Department acknowledged that Natanson is not the target of an investigation. The Pentagon has announced plans to increase oversight of Stars and Stripes, a publication that has historically operated with editorial independence. Journalists have been excluded from the Pentagon for refusing to report only sanctioned information. The Associated Press has been banned from the White House press corps in retaliation for the AP decision to keep referring to the “Gulf of Mexico” after an executive order to rename it.
Why does this matter for our members?
ACES was founded by newspaper copy editors and remains deeply connected to the values of journalism. A free press is a foundational principle of our society and essential to our democracy. These actions discourage the kind of rigorous, independent reporting that holds power to account. This is not how a free press functions.
As editors, our work depends on a healthy information environment. Press freedom and editorial independence are principles that serve the public interest. We stand in support of journalists and news organizations working to report the truth. ACES will continue to champion the standards of our profession and advocate for the free and open exchange of information.
This statement is based on ACES’ mission and values. It reflects the position of the ACES Board of Directors and is not necessarily the view of Board members’ employers or associates or of individual ACES members. ACES respects the diverse perspectives of our membership and recognizes that members may hold differing opinions.
