S2318 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 7, 2020 There being no objection, the com- tential threat, Qiushi docu- of truth and transparency. In January mittee was discharged and the Senate mented the impacts of the COVID–19 2020, the International Consortium of proceeded to consider the nomination. outbreak in , , in dozens of Investigative Journalists revealed how Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I videos online. On February 6, 2020, Isabel dos Santos amassed one of Afri- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Chen’s family and friends lost contact ca’s largest fortunes in Angola, one of ate vote on the nomination with no in- with him, and he is presumed to have the world’s poorest countries, through tervening action or debate; that if con- been disappeared by the CCP. embezzlement and corruption using a firmed, the motion to reconsider be In Niger, journalist Kaka Touda network of companies and subsidiaries. considered made and laid upon the Mamne Goni reported on a suspected In May 2019, journalists re- table, and the President be imme- COVID–19 case, was arrested by police ported on business and government ac- diately notified of the Senate’s action. on March 5, 2020, and faces up to 3 tions that resulted in the 2019 Jiangsu The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without years in prison on charges of ‘‘dissemi- Tianjiayi Chemical Plant explosion in objection, it is so ordered. nation of data likely to disturb the China that killed 78 people and injured The question is, Will the Senate ad- public order.’’ over 600. Journalists have also contin- vise and consent to the Giroir nomina- In Venezuela, a group of masked po- ued to report on the situation of tion? lice agents detained freelance jour- Uyghurs and other minorities held in The nomination was confirmed. nalist Darvinson Rojas on March 21, detention centers in China’s Xinjiang f 2020, and interrogated Rojas about his region, including new revelations from reporting on COVID–19 cases in the hundreds of pages of leaked CCP docu- LEGISLATIVE SESSION state of Miranda. Rojas remains in de- ments published by the New York tention. Times in November 2019. While the COVID–19 pandemic has I join the international community MORNING BUSINESS spurred new restrictions and harass- in honoring and defending the brave Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ment, these stories of abuse and resil- journalists seeking to report on the ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ience are nothing new in the field of truth and tell the stories that deserve ate proceed to legislative session for a journalism. Since 1992, the Committee to be told. Over 200 years ago, our period of morning business, with Sen- to Project Journalists has reported Founding Fathers had the foresight to ators permitted to speak therein for up 1,369 journalists killed around the recognize the importance of a free to 10 minutes each. world, including at least 25 killed in press to a democracy, enshrining it in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 2019. Last year also represented the our First Amendment. Today, that im- objection, it is so ordered. 14th year in a row that Freedom House portance cannot be overstated. Recog- f has noted a global decline in press free- nizing that societies where informed citizens can hold their governments ac- WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY dom. As of April 20, 2020, at least 299 journalists were imprisoned for their countable are more stable, secure, and Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, free- work worldwide. prosperous, we have a responsibility to dom of the press is a fundamental Of course, the global decline in press stand up for the fundamental rights of human right, a foundational pillar of freedom and access is not limited to freedom of expression and a free press. democracy, and an indispensable check foreign lands. In the United States, the This week, I introduced a resolution on authoritarian overreach. Over the COVID–19 pandemic has accelerated commemorating World Press Freedom past months, as we have collectively the struggle of local news organiza- Day. The resolution highlights increas- come to appreciate a new under- tions to stay afloat. The shuttering of ing threats to freedoms of the press standing of ‘‘essential workers,’’ we local print publications has left rural and expression worldwide, especially have witnessed once again how essen- populations and marginalized commu- amid the COVID–19 pandemic, reaf- tial the work journalists do is to main- nities without critical sources of infor- firms the centrality of a free and inde- taining our democracy. From Wuhan, mation and has chipped away at the pendent press to the health of democ- China, to conflict zones in Venezuela, foundation of the U.S. free press. racy, and reiterates freedom of the to cities and towns in the United From the White House, President press as a priority of the United States States, journalists are risking their Trump continues to target journalists in promoting democracy, human lives to report, investigate, and keep and the media, referring to journalism rights, and good governance. On this people informed on the COVID–19 pan- as ‘‘an evil propaganda machine’’ and World Press Freedom Day, I call on the demic. Unfortunately, responses to this the free press as the ‘‘enemy of the peo- Trump administration and our world global crisis have also reminds us that ple.’’ Most recently and severely, amid leaders to recommit to advancing press press freedom is under assault across the COVID–19 pandemic, the Trump ad- freedom, protecting journalists, and the globe, including in the United ministration restricted most on-the- embracing the important role they States. Fearful of negative coverage of record access to administration offi- play in a healthy and secure society. their capacity to protect their citizens cials and reportedly instructed all offi- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I and address a global health crisis, cials, including scientific and medical rise to commemorate World Press autocrats and other governmental fig- experts, to have public statements Freedom Day, which was this past Sun- ures around the world have focused cleared through Vice President PENCE. day, and to celebrate the brave journal- their attention on concealing informa- This episode is unfortunately the lat- ists all over the world who safeguard tion. As journalists fight to advance est in an ongoing saga. Countries the values of truth, democracy, trans- truth and objectivity under dire cir- around the world have followed Presi- parency, and justice through their cumstances, far too many governments dent Trump’s lead in attacking jour- work. Every year, we set aside this day have responded with verbal attacks and nalism as ‘‘fake news.’’ Between Janu- to reaffirm our commitment to the free prison sentences. Today, we applaud ary 2017 and May 2019, at least 26 coun- press. This year, however, is a little bit the work and the courage of all those tries have enacted or introduced laws different. This year, we are in the involved in bringing stories from restricting access and media in the midst of a brutal global public health around the world to our fingertips. name of ‘‘fake news.’’ In attacking the crisis. One of the reasons that the Amidst the backdrop of the COVID–19 media, President Trump not only un- COVID–19 pandemic has wreaked so pandemic, countries across the world dermines the hard-hitting work jour- much havoc—taking hundreds of thou- from Algeria to Zimbabwe have im- nalists in the United States do to hold sands of lives and devastating the econ- posed restrictions and threatened jour- our leaders accountable and keep the omy—is that people with power have nalists for their work. As they do when public informed, but provides foreign propagated misinformation about the credible, reliable, and timely informa- leaders with the permission and vocab- virus. In the words of the World Health tion is an essential commodity, jour- ulary to do the same. Organization, we are witnessing an nalists have persisted. In spite of the unprecedented assault ‘‘info-demic.’’ Now, more than ever, it In China, in an effort to educate his on the free press, journalists continue is vital that the public receives the community and the world about its po- to take significant risks in the pursuit truth, and that means protecting the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:23 May 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MY6.036 S07MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE May 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2319 free press. We are relying on the press ican people.’’ As the illustrious jour- since its founding days. Currently to bring us crucial, often life-saving, nalist Edward R. Murrow so famously missing from that honor roll is a me- information about testing sites, shel- noted 66 years ago in responding to morial to reporters and other journal- ter-in-place orders, school closures, then-Senator Joe McCarthy’s vile ists, such as those at the Capital Ga- government aid, and how to keep our- smear tactics and intimidation: zette, who have sacrificed everything selves and our loved ones safe. That is We must not confuse dissent with dis- to protect the free, open, and trans- why many States, Maryland among loyalty. We must remember always that ac- parent society that all people deserve. them, have designated local news out- cusation is not proof and that conviction de- My hope is that Congress will pass the lets as ‘‘essential businesses’’ that are pends upon evidence and due process of law. Fallen Journalists Memorial Act soon. allowed to keep operating despite so- We will not walk in fear, one of another. We Once we establish this memorial, we will not be driven by fear into an age of cial distancing policies. unreason, if we dig deep in our history and will have a visible reminder to pay In a noble effort to keep the public our doctrine, and remember that we are not tribute to these heroes not just once a informed, many local media outlets descended from fearful men—not from men year, but every day. have removed their paywalls for who feared to write, to speak, to associate, f COVID–19-related news, forfeiting des- and to defend causes that were, for the mo- 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH perately needed revenue. Meanwhile, ment, unpopular. DAY COVID–19 continues to place immense When the leader of the United States, economic pressure on local news out- a country devoted to principles of lib- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, while lets and jeopardize their ability to erty and democracy, flouts the truth in the Senate was out of session, the function at all. Dozens of local publica- this way, it reverberates all across the American people celebrated the 50th tions have had to furlough reporters, world to the detriment of free expres- anniversary of Earth Day. I would like reduce their publication frequency, or sion everywhere. Between 2016 and 2019, to take a moment to acknowledge that drop their print editions completely. the number of journalists imprisoned historic anniversary. This financial nightmare comes on the on spurious charges of disseminating We first celebrated Earth Day in 1970 heels of more than a decade of hardship so-called fake news more than tripled when then-Senator Gaylord Nelson for local news. globally. brought more than 20 million Ameri- Unfortunately, the COVID–19 pan- We Americans feel the impact of this cans together to mobilize in defense of demic is not the only threat facing vilification of the press much closer to our planet. In the half-century since, journalists today. All around the globe, home, too. I will never forget learning our Nation has benefitted from a pas- reporters face harassment and persecu- about the fatal shooting at the Capital sionate environmental movement that tion for their attempts to spread the Gazette in Annapolis, MD, almost 2 has pushed lawmakers, businesses, and truth and hold leaders accountable. Re- years ago. In the most deadly news- communities to foster a healthier porters Without Borders has deter- room shooting in American history, a Earth. While this movement has yield- mined that at least 229 journalists man who was angry that the newspaper ed significant progress, we nonetheless worldwide currently are imprisoned for accurately and merely reported his must do more to address the gravest their work. According to the Com- guilty plea in a criminal harassment threat to our environment: climate mittee to Protect Journalists, at least case stormed into the Gazette office change. I recognize that, in the midst of the 25 journalists were killed around the with a gun and killed five people. COVID–19 pandemic, it might be dif- world in 2019, and at least six journal- Those individuals—Gerald Fishman, ficult to wrap our heads around a sec- ists and media professionals have been Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca ond crisis, but we have an important killed in the first 4 months of 2020 Smith, and Wendi Winters—died de- opportunity here to learn from one alone. Corrupt and powerful govern- fending one of the most sacred institu- global emergency about how to navi- tions in our country. They died pro- ments and individuals understand that gate another. free expression is a mighty tool against tecting every American’s right to know The first lesson from the COVID–19 injustice, so they go to horrible lengths the truth. But they and hundreds of pandemic: We must listen to experts. to stifle it. other journalists worldwide should not Public health experts have long fore- One courageous reporter who was have to die in the line of duty. cast the risk of a viral pandemic. Still, murdered for pursuing the truth was For the sake of our democracy and our leaders failed to for Washington Post journalist and U.S. global human rights, we must do every- COVID–19 and even denied the mag- resident Jamal Khashoggi. The Central thing we can to eliminate the violence nitude of the threat we faced when it Intelligence Agency concluded with and repression news media face. The was at our doorstep. The novel high confidence and the Senate unani- United States can help lead this effort coronavirus has now claimed over mously approved a resolution stating by loudly voicing our support for the 72,000 lives in the United States, a that Saudi Government officials exe- free press as a key component of an in- death toll higher than any other coun- cuted and dismembered Mr. Khashoggi formed civil society and a government try. in 2018 at the behest of Crown Prince of accountable to its people. That is why We are witnessing a parallel problem Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman. I am proud to cosponsor Senator with climate change. For decades, ex- To this day, however, justice for this MENENDEZ’s resolution in honor of perts have warned that human-caused crime remains elusive. The Global World Press Freedom Day declaring climate change is heating the Earth. Magnitsky Act, which I authored with the need for a truly free press and con- Ninety-seven percent of the world’s sci- the late Senator John McCain to com- demning threats to the freedom of ex- entists agree on this. Scientists are no bat human rights violations like this pression around the world. The resolu- longer just predicting the future impli- one, requires the U.S. administration tion applauds the bravery of journal- cations of this crisis; they are pointing to declassify its findings regarding who ists and media workers and remembers out the very real consequences of cli- was responsible for Mr. Khashoggi’s those who have lost their lives in the mate change that have already arrived. death and to impose additional sanc- course of their duties. These include the rise in extreme tions on the culpable parties. President We can also demonstrate our com- weather events like floods, hurricanes, Trump has refused to do so. mitment to a free press by remem- and wildfires that we have experienced This failure to stand up for an Amer- bering those journalists and media pro- across the United States in recent ican journalist an authoritarian regime fessionals who have lost their lives in years. In Maryland, we have seen com- silenced is just one example of how the the course of their duties. To that end, munities like Ellicott City devastated Trump administration has turned its Senator PORTMAN and I have intro- by flash flooding from increased rain- back on the freedom of the press. The duced a bill, S. 1969, to authorize a na- fall. Our State’s many miles of low- President and his supporters have con- tional memorial to fallen journalists. lying coast make us particularly vul- tinuously tried to demonize and The National Capital Region has nu- nerable to high tide flooding and storm delegitimize news outlets whose report- merous monuments and memorials to surge. The longer we wait to address ing upsets them, to the point of label- honor those individuals who have climate change, the more natural dis- ing the media an ‘‘enemy of the Amer- helped make our country stronger asters we will face.

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