Credentialed Reporter / Photographer Ashley M Meredith Is a Reporter / Photographer and a member in good standing with the Constitution First Amendment Press Association (CFAPA.org) Issue Date 3/1/2022 Constitutional Journalist’s Pledge

Constitutional Journalist’s Pledge

As found on the Constitution First Amendment Press Association website

The CFAPA Constitutional Journalist’s pledge melds the traditional Journalist’s Creed of 1914 with some phrasing from the more recent Associated Press News Values Statement, along with some key amplifications of our own.

As a condition of membership in the Constitution First Amendment Press Association (CFAPA.org), I do hereby pledge:

  1. That I will comport myself in a manner worthy of a position of public trust.
  2. That I will report news honestly, thoroughly, accurately, fairly, and forthrightly.
  3. That I will let the facts and photographic/audio recording evidence speak for themselves.
  4. That I will speak, write, produce, and publish the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
  5. That I will uphold and defend the Constitution and all of the Bill of Rights.
  6. That I will not abuse my position as a journalist or accept bribes.
  7. That I will be stoutly independent, and will not bow to threats or coercion, even under Color of Law. If confronted by authorities who are not knowledgeable or disdainful of my Constitutional Rights, then I will politely inform or remind them of my rights and then press on with my news-gathering and reporting.
  8. That I will be unmoved by pride or greed of power.
  9. That I will be constructive but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of my readers but always unafraid.
  10. That I will be quickly indignant at injustice and unswayed by the appeal of the privilege or the clamor of the mob.
  11. That I will strive to avoid inaccuracies, carelessness, bias or distortions.
  12. That I will not knowingly introduce false information into material intended for publication or broadcast; nor will I alter a photo or video content. Quotations must be accurate, and precise.
  13. That I will always strive to identify all the sources of my information, shielding them with anonymity if they request it and when they provide vital information – not opinion or speculation; when I know the source is knowledgeable and reliable.
  14. That I will not plagiarize. I will give credit where credit is due, attributing quotes prominently.
  15. That I will not pander or bow to party politics, pressure groups, agenda pushers, conspiratorial cabals, statist lackeys, censors, or those who seek to hatefully divide us.
  16. That I will avoid behavior that compromises my ability to report the news fairly and accurately, uninfluenced by any person or action.
  17. That I will not misidentify or misrepresent myself to get a story. When I seek an interview, I will identify myself as a journalist.
  18. That I will not pay newsmakers or celebrities for interviews, to take their photographs, or to film or record them.
  19. That I will be objective and not speculate or promote any unsubstantiated gossip, rumors, or urban folklore–always being mindful that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.
  20. That I will be fair. When mistakes are made, they must and will be corrected – fully, quickly and ungrudgingly.

Signed,

Ashley M Meredith

This certifies that as of 03/01/2022 Ashley M Meredith is a reporter/photographer/videographer and a member in good standing with the Constitution First Amendment Press Association (CFAPA.org) Do not hinder, exclude, or block the view of this journalist in the exercise of the longestablished and court-recognized 1st Amendment right to be present at and to photograph or film any event in any public place. See: Perry Education Association v. Perry Local Educators’ Association. (1983) 1st Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (Enacted by Congress on December 15, 1791.) Any officer or public official who deprives another of their 1st Amendment rights is personally and departmentally subject to suit for civil damages for deprivation of rights. Per 42 U.S.C. § 1983, "every person" who under color of law deprives another person of his civil rights is liable for civil damages.) See: Pierson v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547 (1967) – a U.S. Supreme Court case. Also see: Monell v. Department of Social Services, wherein the U.S. Supreme Court held that municipalities and local governments can be sued if the action was attributable to an official policy. Law enforcement officers, public officials, and public employees do not enjoy absolute immunity. Furthermore, Section 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code provides for reimbursement of attorneys' fees to plaintiffs who prevail under Section 1983. See: Hughes v. Rowe, 449 U.S. 5, 14 (1980) For further legal citations on journalism law, see: www.rcfp.org We The People, in the Internet Age, Are The Free Press! Copyright 2014, Constitution First Amendment Press Association. (CFAPA.org) - All Rights Reserved. The CFAPA is not liable or responsible for the actions of its independent members.
A copy of my press credentials