CONTACT:
Alison Bethel McKenzie, SPJ Executive Director, 317-920-4780, abmckenzie@spj.org
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Director of Communications and Marketing, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The following is a statement from the Society of Professional Journalists regarding the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s decision to repeal its press freedom law:

SPJ supports the Native American Journalists Association's stance that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation should restore its free press ordinance. An unfettered, free press is in the best interests of all nations, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's former ordinance was hailed as a model for other tribal governments.

Requiring a media outlet to have stories approved by a government entity is censorship and prevents journalists from seeking truth and reporting it. The citizens of this community are the ones who will suffer because of it.

We join NAJA and others in their call for the immediate reinstatement of the free press act.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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