RTNDA applauds pardon of U.S. journalists Lee, Ling
WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – RTNDA applauds the actions of North Korean President Kim Jong Il in pardoning two U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling today. Both journalists have been held in the country since March 17; they were seized while reporting on refugee issues at the border in China and accused of entering the country illegally to conduct a smear campaign. They were sentenced in early June to 12 years hard labor.
The pardon was preceded by a meeting between former President Bill Clinton and North Korean President Kim Jong Il.
"We are pleased that North Korean officials have recognized that journalists—including RTNDA members—covering important international issues are working for people across the globe and deserve the freedom to pursue their stories free of government interference. I have hope the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee means the government of North Korea understands the basic right of journalists to investigate and report as they see fit." said Stacey Woelfel, RTNDA Chairman.
RTNDA represents members around the world, working to promote and protect journalistic freedoms everywhere it can. Its leadership will continue to publicize these offenses against the free practice of journalism and fight for those wrongly detained, tried, or imprisoned.