ONA joins SPJ-led coalition urging VA to end investigations into employees for speaking to press
The Online News Association joins the Society of Professional Journalists and a coalition of more than 20 press freedom, journalism and civil liberties organizations in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to end investigations into employees for speaking with the press in their personal capacities.
The coalition sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas A. Collins urging the VA to review and revise any policies or practices that restrict such protected speech. The letter raises concern over reported VA investigations into employees who attended public vigils and spoke with journalists about matters of public interest, including comments related to the death of VA employee Alex Pretti.
ONA believes that disciplining employees for engaging with the media in their personal capacity undermines First Amendment protections, weakens government transparency and limits the public's access to information about federally funded services.