U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured journalists, reporters, media professionals and journalism students of the U.S.'s commitment to protecting a free, independent press when he spoke at the Media Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles June 7.
Blinken participated in a panel discussion on the topic “A Commitment to Journalistic Freedom,” the State Department (DOS) announced at the time. In his opening remarks, Blinken thanked Arizona State’s Cronkite School of Journalism, the USC Annenberg School of Journalism and the Equis Institute for their support for and hosting of the event, according to a transcript released by the DOS.
Blinken spoke of the importance of the Ninth Summit of the Americas, a gathering of government officials, civil leaders, business professionals and private citizens from countries in the western hemisphere "to try to see how, together, we can tackle the fundamental problems that our societies face and do a better job at delivering for our people," according to the transcript.
"In every country in the hemisphere, for every goal that we want to achieve, for every problem affecting the lives of our people," Blinken said, "a free, independent press is essential."
Blinken said the challenges to freedom of the press and of expression are "profound" around the world and, if not mitigated, "could threaten the foundations of our democracies," the transcript records.
He called attention to three challenges that the U.S. and its allies are working to solve: the spread of disinformation; threats, harassment and violence against the media; and the financial sustainability of independent news groups.
To counter the proliferation of misinformation, Blinken announced the launch of the first hub in the Americas of the Digital Communication Network (DCN), a network that develops and shares "evidence-based tools to help local actors provide people with accurate information."
"Since creating the DCN in 2015," Blinken said, "we’ve actually helped build a network of more than 8,000 journalists, educators, communicators and new media professionals, public officials and others around the world, who are working to combat state-sponsored disinformation and propaganda."
When addressing the dangers journalists face when reporting on events and issues, Blinken noted that 17 journalists have been killed so far this year in the western hemisphere, saying "No region in the world is more dangerous for journalists." according to the transcript.
The combat violence against members of the news media, Blinken said the U.S. joined the OAS Group of Friends of Freedom of Expression and Journalism, and strengthened its commitment to the Media Freedom Coalition. He also announced financial assistance will be available to journalists facing harassment from governments, including up to $9 million from USAID for a worldwide Defamation Defense Fund for Journalists, and a $3.5 million investment from DOS for a Journalism Protection Platform, the transcript records.
U.S. support for independent media and journalism includes $30 million to the International Fund for Public Interest Media and $5 million to "improve the financial viability of independent media outlets" which may not have access to the same resources as do major news-media organizations, Blinken said.
"Put simply: we will not have a vibrant, independent press if more and more outlets are shutting down because they can’t find a viable business model," Blinken said.
After making his opening remarks, Blinken took questions from journalists, the transcript shows.
One of the questioners asked how the U.S. was going to handle the shooting death on May 11 of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while reporting in the West Bank. The questioner claimed "the facts are established" in who was responsible for the shooting, in reference to reports by CNN and Al Jazeera that claim investigations, video footage and eyewitness testimony indicate Israeli military forces deliberately shot at the journalists.
Blinken disputed the assertion that the cause of and responsibility for the shooting had been independently and definitively determined.
“No, they have not," Blinken said, according to the transcript. "We are looking for an independent, credible investigation. When that investigation happens, we will follow the facts wherever they lead."
