That the Senate—
declares that a free press—
is a central component of free societies, democratic governance, and contributes to an informed civil society, and government accountability;
helps expose corruption, and enhances public accountability and transparency of governments at all levels; and
disseminates information essential to improving public health and safety;
expresses concerns about threats to press freedom and freedom of expression around the world;
recognizes and commends journalism’s role in providing trusted, accurate, and timely information and in holding governments and leaders accountable to citizens;
is dismayed that, under cover of the COVID–19 pandemic, many governments have restricted the work of journalists reporting on the public health crisis and on peaceful protests on a variety of issues;
pays tribute to journalists who made tremendous sacrifices, including the loss of their lives, in the pursuit of truth and justice;
condemns all actions around the world that suppress freedom of the press;
calls for the unconditional and immediate release of all imprisoned journalists;
reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to efforts of the United States Government to support democracy, mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and around the world; and
calls on the President and the Secretary of State—
to preserve and build upon the leadership of the United States on issues relating to freedom of the press, on the basis of the protections afforded the American people under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States;
to transparently investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and
to promote the respect and protection of freedom of the press around the world.