The Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh and Press Club of Western Pennsylvania stand with the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation in opposition to the removal of Alexis Johnson, a black reporter, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's coverage of the ongoing protests in the city, and the subsequent removal of Michael Santiago, a black photographer, from the newspaper's coverage team because of his support of her.
It is a newspaper's responsibility to record history. These are unprecedented times for our city, our state and our nation, and it is important that minority journalists be part of recording that history. This is true at all times, but never more so than right now when we all need to hear the black voices that have been stifled for so long.
Journalists as humans have personal opinions. That does not mean they abandon their professional responsibilities to produce work free from opinion. We know that
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has filed a grievance over Johnson's removal. We urge management and the union to meet and resolve this matter as soon as possible.
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