A bipartisan resolution sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) would recognize the journalists, reporters and news staff risking their safety and lives to chronicle the atrocities and humanitarian crisis occurring in Ukraine.
“There is nothing dictators like Putin fear more than the free press revealing the truth to the world,” Rep. Hinson said. “Most of what we are seeing and hearing from Ukraine is thanks to brave journalists who are putting themselves in harm’s way to tell this important story.”
Rep. Hinson on March 16 introduced House Resolution (H.Res.) 987 with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL). They are both former journalists. The resolution on March 17 gained an additional 47 cosponsors.
“I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Bustos to ensure members of the media who are reporting from Ukraine, including those who tragically lost their lives, receive the recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Hinson.
The legislation would express gratitude on behalf of the United States to the journalists and news staff who are risking injury and death, are subject to grave threat, and have sacrificed their lives to chronicle and report on the ongoing war in Ukraine resulting from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, according to the resolution’s text.
Thus far, several members of the free press have been injured or killed by Russian forces, including multiple Americans, according to the congresswoman’s staff.
Most recently, for instance, American documentarian and director Brent Renaud was fatally shot; journalist Juan Arrendondo was shot and seriously injured; and Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and his Ukrainian colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova were also killed.
“Brent Renaud. Pierre Zakrzewski. Oleksandra Kuvshynova. These names have been carved into the history books as defenders of democracy,” Rep. Bustos said. “An open and free press is one of the world’s most effective weapons in the fight against tyranny, and the courageous journalists and media who have chosen and continue to choose freedom over their own safety deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.”
H.Res. 987 would remember the journalists and news staff who have lost their lives or been injured reporting from Ukraine, and condemn Putin, Belarusian President Lukashenko, and their officials for authorizing and executing attacks on innocent civilians, according to Rep. Hinson’s staff.
The resolution has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.