ASJA Joins Writer Groups Protesting Threats to Journalists Covering DOGE Activities
Feb. 07, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org
New York, New York (Feb. 7, 2025) – The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) is one of 35 signatories to a letter from Demand Progress and Freedom of the Press Foundation raising serious concerns about recent public statements from Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. Edward R. Martin, Jr., threatening to prosecute journalists who “target” or “impede” Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Executive Office of the President.
In the letter, which Demand Progress and Freedom of the Press Foundation delivered Tuesday, Feb. 4, the signatories requested that Martin publicly commit to abide by the First Amendment, which his office “is sworn to uphold and Musk himself claims to champion, in any DOGE-related investigations or prosecutions.” Read the entire letter here.
“Freedom of expression is a human right and the law of the land in the United States, regardless of who holds political power,” ASJA president Darcy Lewis said. “ASJA is proud to call for appropriate First Amendment protections for all Americans, from members of the public to the journalists who bring them the news they need to stay informed.”
In addition to Demand Progress, Freedom of the Press Foundation, and ASJA, other signers of the letter include the Association of Health Care Journalists, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, Society of Environmental Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Authors Guild.
ASJA, which has been the nation’s premier organization for professional freelance nonfiction writers since 1948, champions the First Amendment and rights of freelance writers. The organization has a particular focus on issues of national importance, including censorship, copyright, and legal or industry changes that prevent independent writers from making a living.
ASJA offers an advocacy toolkit that members can use to stay on top of issues affecting freelancers, write op-eds, contact or meet with their elected representatives, request city or town resolutions, ask associations to get involved, and spread the word.
To stay abreast of ASJA news and events, subscribe to the ASJA Weekly newsletter, read ASJA Confidential blog or follow ASJA on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
For more information about the organization, contact ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org.
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About ASJA
The American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation’s premier organization of professional freelance nonfiction writers. ASJA members write books, journalism and content marketing and have met ASJA’s objective standards of professional achievement by publishing with national magazines, publishers and clients. As First Amendment and right-to-freelance advocates, ASJA stands up for writers’ rights and offers extensive networking and educational opportunities that benefit members and the freelance writing profession as a whole. ASJA believes in diversity and inclusion and actively works to attract members from all backgrounds and experience levels while continuing to emphasize excellence in nonfiction writing. Learn more at www.asja.org.