Suspension of ABC Reporter “Sends the Wrong Message” says PEN America; News Outlets Defend Wright
David Wright is an Emmy Award-winning Canadian-American broadcast journalist and political activist, a former correspondent for ABC News, and a self-described socialist. His work appears on Nightline, World News Tonight, Good Morning America and 20/20.
ABC News on Wednesday announced it had suspended correspondent David Wright for comments he made that were secretly recorded and disseminated by a right-wing activist group.
“ABC’s decision essentially—and wrongly—suggests that journalists are unable to do their work professionally if they have private opinions, as any individual does. In doing so, it hands a victory to an outfit whose mission is to use underhanded tactics to undermine public faith in the credibility of a free press. Wright was expressing his personal opinions at a bar, and even gave a disclaimer that his comments were separate from his professional work. To punish him for this sends the wrong message to the public and to those who seek to further drive distrust in professional media.” Nora Benavidez, director of U.S. Free Expressions Programs, PEN America.
NEWS OUTLETS SPEAK OUT:
- Why is ABC News Feeding the Project Veritas Trolls?, Caleb Ecarma, Vanity Fair
- ABC journalist suspended after admitting he is a socialist, Steve Sweeney, Morning Star
- ABC News suspends correspondent David Wright after comments about Trump coverage, socialism, in Project Veritas sting, Paul Farhi, The Washington Post
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. It champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Its mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
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