EDITORIAL
Protect Journalists: Their Lives Matter, Too
The journalism profession is a noble calling upon those who believe through words, they can make a significant difference in society and in the lives of the people they wish to serve. Consumers of news watch newscasters report stories based on facts and analyze facts to espouse opinions on the day’s major news events. Reporters are extended members of the family whose names are memorized and recalled on a first-name basis. They bring value to the lives of readers and viewers who want to stay informed through news stories about issues they care about and images that bring those stories to life. The reporter's life appears glamorous and many believe the profession pays high salaries. That’s half true. There is glamor simply derived from knowing hundreds read your story and those in powerful places reacted to it. But, the job does not always pay well despite the ultimate sacrifices it requires. There is no more extraordinary sacrifice reporters give than their lives often lost in the line of duty. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 12 journalists’ lives have been lost this year, many on dangerous assignments in countries including Mexico, Chad and Haiti. Two of them were Fox News reporters killed in crossfire in the current Russian war against Ukraine. The United Nations reported that 55 journalists were killed worldwide in 2021. They have condemned leaders for not doing more to protect journalists. “Right now, the world needs independent, factual information more than ever. We must do more to ensure that those who work tirelessly to provide this can do so without fear,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. It's in this light that communities remember Charnisse Milton, the 27-year-old reporter gunned down at a bus stop in Southeast on May 27, 2015. Milton was returning home from covering an ANC meeting at Eastern Market for Capital Community News. Her murder case remains unsolved and a $25,000 reward remains for the arrest of her killer. Just two weeks ago, a 25-year-old reporter for the Virginian Pilot was killed by random gunfire outside of a bar in Norfolk, Virginia. Both young Black women were recognized by their respective employers as rising stars with great potential. Just as soldiers are called to war, law enforcement is called to reduce crime, and first responders are called to provide aid, reporters also play a vital role in covering stories, reporting wrongdoing, or describing a job that is done well. Reporters' lives matter because they accept the responsibility to protect a free and democratic society with their weapons - the pen. WI
The Only Ethical Choice for Clarence Thomas is to Recuse Himself Texts, emails, even occasional pillow talk, exchanged between committed couples or spouses can result in either very happy or unimaginably bad endings. The most recently-discussed example: Justice Clarence Thomas who continues to face a host of questions related to ethics after reports revealed that his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, participated in aggressive efforts to help overturn the election defeat of former President Trump. Of course it would be a stretch to assume that the opinions of one’s spouse automatically create a conflict of interest with the job responsibilities of the other spouse. However, most people aren’t married to a Supreme Court justice. Shortly after the 2020 election, the justice’s wife allegedly exchanged dozens of text messages with Mark Meadows, then the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. The messages shared ways Mrs. Thomas might employ to circumvent the will of American voters to install Trump for a second White House term despite his loss to President Biden which she called an “obvious fraud” and “the greatest heist of our history.” Around the same time, Clarence Thomas refused to recuse himself from multiple pro-Trump legal challenges that attempted to counter the 2020 election results. Further, Thomas earlier this year cast the only dissenting vote in a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the House committee to obtain Trump White House records as investigations continue in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Ginni Thomas recently revealed in an interview with several media outlets that she had attended the “Stop the Steal” pro-Trump rally held prior to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
TO THE EDITOR Champ for a Spell
Time to Make History
Congratulations to Prince George’s County Spelling Bee winner Noemie Jackson-Weaver. I, too, won the spelling bee once upon a time, and it brings me great joy to see the youth keeping it going. Black girl magic!
I can’t wait for the honorable Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. It’s a shame how she has been treated in the Senate confirmation hearings, but she will prevail. History will be made.
Wanda Hayes Washington, D.C.
Many of the justice’s critics believe that given his wife’s actions, he should recuse himself from any of the court’s cases or petitions related to the Jan. 6 Committee or efforts to reverse the outcome of the election. In addition, some believe Ginni Thomas’s political activities have led to an ethical dilemma and overlap with her husband’s judicial position. Said another way, “Can Clarence Thomas maintain his objectivity?” There remains no evidence that confirms that Ginni Thomas has influenced her husband’s opinion in cases that he has heard about Jan.
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Harold Ivey Washington, D.C.
6 or the 2020 elections. But with unprecedented public distrust with the Supreme Court and their decreased opinion about the Court, and because Supreme Court justices, as opposed to those on lower federal courts, have both the authority to decide for themselves if recusal is appropriate and are not bound by a code of conduct, we believe Thomas should remove all doubts and recuse himself. It would be for the good of all Americans and remove all doubts of impropriety or unethical dealings. WI
MARCH 31 - APRIL 6, 2022 23
