Journalists in swing states fear retaliation by governments

Reporters Without Borders say journalism is grappling with numerous crises in states where voters are reliant on the media.

The advocacy group’s report reveals journalists are concerned about hostility from local and state officials as well as the “economic viability” of local newsrooms. 

The report is titled “Press Freedom in the Swing States: The Climate for U.S. Journalism Ahead of the 2024 Election.” 

It focuses on Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Nevada.

Executive director of the group’s U.S. branch Clayton Weimers says there can be no democracy without press freedom. 

Weimers says it is critically important to understand the issues confronting the news media in the places most pivotal in American presidential elections. 

94% of respondents from the swing states say officials ignore public records requests or stall in providing records, making reporting difficult. 

Arizona officials were found to be the most “egregious offenders”. The state has the lowest overall political score.

85% of journalists in Arizona say leading politicians and political party leaders explicitly “insult, threaten, or incite hatred against journalists.”

81% of respondents in Pennsylvania say journalists are unable to earn a living wage.

The report shows the median wage for journalists in the state is barely half Pennsylvania’s living wage. 

80% of respondents in Nevada say officials stall or ignore public records requests all or most of the time.

Despite this, Nevada has the highest overall press freedom score. 

It has strong anti-SLAPP laws, widespread news distribution and a median reporter salary slightly exceeding the state’s living wage.

The report comes days after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said at a rally in Arizona the press is “the enemy of the people.”