Current location:travel >>
Colorado reporter's expulsion from Republican gathering causes uproar
travel454People have gathered around
IntroductionDENVER, COLORADO —Politicians and news outlets in Colorado expressed anger over the expulsion from a ...
Politicians and news outlets in Colorado expressed anger over the expulsion from a Republican gathering this past weekend of an experienced politics reporter who was told that the state party chairman "believes current reporting to be very unfair."
Journalists and prominent politicians, including the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, came to the defense of Colorado Sunreporter Sandra Fish and against current state Republican Chairman Dave Williams, who said he had "no apologies" for ejecting Fish.
The controversy follows the contours of attacks on the press nationally, partly brought on by former President Donald Trump with the popularization of the term "fake news." The ejection also appears to have influenced an endorsement Monday in the Republican primary race.
The state Republican Party announced on the social media platform X that it was endorsing U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert over one of her primary opponent, Deborah Flora, in the state's 4th Congressional District race, partly because "Deb Flora lied about participating in the CD4 Assembly process, & now she's boot licking fake journalists who only help Democrats."
The post was a direct reply to Flora's post on X defending Fish, in which Flora said the expulsion was "wrong and a violation of the First Amendment."
The chair, who introduces himself on the party’s website as "Dave 'Let's Go Brandon' Williams," is seeking the nomination to run for the 5th District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who is retiring from Congress.
In a text, Williams said he had no apologies for kicking Fish out of the assembly in Pueblo on Saturday and accused her of being a "fake journalist" and The Colorado Sunof being biased. When asked by text for examples, Williams did not respond. The Colorado Sunis an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet that covers Colorado.
"I invite anyone to share any example of The Colorado Sunor Sandra Fish being unfair or inaccurate. So far I have heard nothing," said Larry Ryckman, editor of the news outlet. "The Founding Fathers weren't any big fans of newspapers back in the day. But they understood that a healthy democracy demands free, unfettered press."
The assembly, held about two hours south of Denver, was partly to select representatives to the Republican National Committee and to work on a party platform for the election.
"There are 900,000 Republicans in the state of Colorado and a lot of unaffiliated voters who are interested in what happens at this assembly. And how they find out is via reporters like me being there to cover it," Fish told The Associated Press by phone Monday.
"I am, as one person on Twitter noted, a little old lady and I've been in this business for a long time, and I just don't think it's right to eject a reporter from a meeting like this," said Fish, who has covered politics since 1982.
Fish said she heard rumors prior to the event that she'd be barred from attending, and she asked event organizer, Eric Grossman, who texted her Thursday that he'd get back to her.
"Thanks. I've been covering these assemblies for at least seven cycles and have never had issues before," Fish texted back. Ryckman attempted to reach Williams on Thursday night to discuss but said Williams never responded.
Before dawn on Saturday, Grossman texted Fish saying she wouldn't be included on the press list and that "the state chairman believes current reporting to be very unfair."
"I went anyway because, come on, this should be an open event," said Fish, who was checked in and given press credentials that she wore around her neck along with a Colorado Sun nametag.
About an hour later, security asked her to leave. Fish showed her press credentials, then Grossman arrived and soon a sheriff's deputy was called. Fish left with the deputy.
"We make no apologies for kicking out a fake journalist, who actually snuck into our event," Williams said in a text. "Her publication is just an extension of the Democrat Party's PR efforts, and the only backlash we see is from the fake news media, radical Democrats, and establishment RINOs who hate our conservative base."
Grossman, in a text, said Fish's actions were "a selfish political stunt."
Republican state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer defended the reporter, writing in a post on X: "Sandra Fish is a fair; honest and respected reporter, as a Republican I'm embarrassed by the GOP chair."
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Sphere news portal”。http://chile.downmusic.org/news-8a699986.html
Related articles
Liverpool confirms Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's replacement
travelArne Slot will take on one of the most daunting challenges in soccer by replacing Jurgen Klopp as Li ...
【travel】
Read moreChinese Culture and Food Festival held in Kuwait
travel(Xinhua) 13:22, March 10, 2024People enjoy the performance of a Chinese orchestra during the Chinese ...
【travel】
Read moreXizang's traditional culture effectively inherited and protected: expert
travel(Xinhua) 13:26, January 25, 2024GENEVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- With a rich historical background, the t ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
- Spring Festival TV gala audience, viewership hit record highs
- Millennium
- Light decorations seen before Chinese Lunar New Year in Macao
- Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
- Spring Festival TV gala to delight global audience with traditional culture, cutting
Latest articles
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Taylor Swift looks loved
'Wonderstruck' superfan wins dream job as This Morning's Taylor Swift correspondent
Event celebrating upcoming Chinese New Year held in China's Hong Kong
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Young Chinese vlogger strengthens China
LINKS
- Ethnic People Dance to Celebrate Festival in SW China
- China Strengthens Legal Aid for Abducted Women
- Interview: China to Unveil Timely Measures to Stabilize Employment: Official
- China to Step up Preservation, Publication of Ancient Books
- Young Chinese a New Force in Rural Revitalization
- China Prioritizes Job
- 'Drifters' Bring New Vitality to Ancient Xinjiang City
- Postgraduate Exam More Competitive
- Farms a Hive of Activity Across China
- Young Chinese a New Force in Rural Revitalization