NYFWA's Statement Concerning Recent Acts of Violence Regarding Race

The New York Financial Writers’ Association, the nation’s oldest financial journalism organization, condemns the recent deaths of unarmed black men and women in police custody and we also condemn attacks against members of the media reporting on the resulting protests taking place across our country. As members of the free press striving to provide an objective account of the events unfolding within our society, journalists should be entitled to the protections assured to them within the Constitution.

Of equal importance, however, is the issue underlying the demonstrations taking place –the ongoing inequality, racism, bigotry and prejudice that continues to permeate our nation. The NYFWA is an inclusive membership organization and we welcome and stand in support of ALL journalists, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, nationality or sexual orientation.

While there is unfortunately no easy fix for these issues that continue to plague our country and significantly impact the daily lives of many of our colleagues, the NYFWA is putting together two upcoming panels that will hopefully shed a bit more light on ways society can more effectively address the issue. The first, “The Role of Corporate America in Promoting Racial Justice,” will take place on July 15th. The second will be focused specifically on the roles and responsibility of the media in regards to reporting on race and equality issues. Details will be forthcoming.