Current location:business >>
Colorado reporter's expulsion from Republican gathering causes uproar
business3People 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 Stories news portal”。http://westernsahara.whetstonetavern.com/html-1b199990.html
Related articles
Supreme Court will hear case claiming CBD product got trucker fired
businessWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal from a CBD hemp oil maker fighti ...
【business】
Read moreKatranis scores late, rallies Real Salt Lake to 2
businessCHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Rookie defender Alexandros Katranis scored in the 89th minute and Real Salt Lake ...
【business】
Read moreDenis Bouanga's stoppage
businessLOS ANGELES (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored in the second minute of stoppage time, Timothy Tillman added ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
Latest articles
Insider Q&A: Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy describes the challenges of starting a new carrier
Bryan Reynolds, Ke'Bryan Hayes hit back
LeBron scores 30, and the Lakers avoid 1st
Nadal downs De Minaur for statement Madrid win
Cachin receives souvenir from Nadal after losing to the 22
Conservative MP Dan Poulter defects to Labour in the latest blow to Rishi Sunak
LINKS
- Nation urged to make greater use of geothermal energy
- Car buyers report poor performance
- Economic blueprint enthuses MNC execs
- Healthgen embraces biotech breakthrough
- Shopping trend takes retail sector by storm
- Chinese airlines increasing flights to U.S.
- Xi Meets Lao President
- Scenery of Band
- Sales boom for outdoor sports gear
- Country set to step up R&D of future