ASJA Joins Coalitions Condemning Government Invasion of Reporter’s Home
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org
New York, New York (January 19, 2026) – The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) condemns the government invasion of the home of a Washington Post journalist and has joined a coalition of 31 press-freedom and civil-liberties groups to publish a joint statement decrying this government overreach.
The statement, which was delivered to members of Congress on Jan. 15, urges lawmakers to:
- Call U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi before Congress.
- Reintroduce and pass the PRESS Act.
- Reform the Espionage Act to explicitly protect journalists and whistleblowers from prosecution.
The groups also call on Congress to introduce a resolution that confirms that the First Amendment protects everyone’s right to record the public activities of law enforcement.
The statement is a response to the Jan. 14 FBI search of Hannah Natanson’s home and the seizure of her computers and other materials as part of an investigation into a government contractor’s handling of classified documents.
Separately, ASJA has signed onto a letter authored by the Society of Professional Journalists and co-signed by other press freedom groups demanding that the Department of Justice explain its intrusive FBI raid. The joint letter to Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel also demands a halt to any investigation of Natanson’s lawful reporting and the return of all seized material.
Other organizations participating in the joint statement and letter include the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the National Association of Science Writers, the National Press Club, and PEN America.
ASJA, which has been the nation’s premier organization for professional freelance nonfiction writers since 1948, champions the First Amendment and rights of freelance writers. The organization has a particular focus on issues of national importance, including censorship, copyright, and legal or industry changes that prevent independent writers from making a living.
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For more information about the organization, contact ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org.
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About ASJA
The American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation’s premier organization of professional freelance nonfiction writers. ASJA members write books, journalism and content marketing and have met ASJA’s objective standards of professional achievement by publishing with national magazines, publishers and clients. As First Amendment and right-to-freelance advocates, ASJA stands up for writers’ rights and offers extensive networking and educational opportunities that benefit members and the freelance writing profession as a whole. ASJA believes in diversity and inclusion and actively works to attract members from all backgrounds and experience levels while continuing to emphasize excellence in nonfiction writing. Learn more at www.asja.org.