DOJ held webinars 'closed to the press' right before Sunshine Week
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) held "Community Safety Webinars with Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Community Stakeholders" on March 8. They released select details today.
Last week, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Deputy Director Paul Abbate of the FBI, and Component Head Justin Lock of the Community Relations Service (CRS) hosted two separate webinars with community stakeholders from the Jewish community, and one for Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities. The webinars, held on March 8, were “closed to the press,” according to an email I received.
In a press release today, President Joe Biden’s DOJ said, “The webinars build on the department’s vigorous efforts to combat rising violence and threats of violence based on their religion, race, color, ethnicity or national origin.” A government webinar being closed to the press right before the start of Sunshine Week highlights issues related to open government, accountability, and journalists’ access to information as it happens.
Sunshine Week is an annual event in the United States that focuses on promoting government transparency and openness. It is a time when journalists, advocacy groups, and citizens highlight the importance of government accountability and the public's right to know about government activities.
The Justice Department officials provided updates on their efforts to “bolster community safety and to prevent, disrupt, and prosecute illegal acts motivated by hate-fueled violence and discrimination,” the release said. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence or discrimination,” said Clarke. “With an increase in volume and frequency of threats since Oct. 7th, the Justice Department reaffirms our commitment to using every tool available to address discrimination and violence targeting vulnerable communities.”
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During the webinars they directed stakeholders to critical safety resources and listened to stakeholders express their concerns about the rise in threats, the release said. Officials also highlighted the DOJ’s United Against Hate community education and engagement program, which they said has hosted more than 300 events around the country attracting more than 10,000 participants.
“We are tremendously grateful for the relationships we have with our community partners, and appreciate the opportunity for continued engagement,” said Abbate. “We hear you, we share your concerns, and we will continue to work relentlessly, 24/7, to protect and keep members of your communities safe.”
Abbate discussed the "regular, ongoing engagement the FBI has with Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian community organizations and leaders across the country. The FBI works diligently to maintain two-way communication with community organizations at headquarters and in each of the 56 field offices,” according to the release. He addressed the current threat environment, describing an upward trend in reported hate crimes and an increase in violence and threats of violence toward the communities and “assured call participants that the FBI continues (to) work, with urgency, along with state and local partners to mitigate threats and prevent harm to our communities,” the release said.
“The CRS recognizes that safety for communities is inclusive of both physical safety as well as a sense of belonging within (the) community,” said Lock. “To this end, the CRS is committed to opening and sustaining channels of communication, forums for dialogue and better understanding as a means of returning agency, dignity and power back to all American communities.”
Lock shared CRS’s ongoing work with community leaders, law enforcement and civil society to prevent and respond to hate crimes and facilitate training and mediation services. “This work includes CRS’ Places of Worship Forum, which provides faith-based leaders and congregations information about religious-bias hate crimes and brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to address safety and security issues,” the release said.
Clarke also announced the release of fact sheets and resource documents that are designed to give the public a better understanding of federal civil rights laws, including laws that prohibit violence and discrimination based on religion and national origin as well as protections in places of public accommodation and local land use decisions. “Preventing and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Justice Department, and you can find a recently updated Hate Crimes Fact Sheet here,” the release said.
If you believe that you or someone else experienced religious or national origin discrimination, you can report a civil rights violation online at civilrights.justice.gov. If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov. You can learn more about the department’s work on hate crimes here.
Closing a government webinar to the press right before Sunshine Week may be seen as contradictory to the principles of transparency. Here are some potential concerns and issues associated with such a situation:
Lack of Accountability: Closing a webinar to the press limits the ability of journalists to scrutinize and report on government actions. This lack of accountability may raise questions about the government's commitment to transparency and its willingness to be held accountable for its decisions and policies.
Limited Public Access: Sunshine Week emphasizes the public's right to access information about government activities. Closing a webinar to the press may restrict public access to crucial information, hindering the democratic principle of an informed citizenry.
Potential for Hidden Agendas: The decision to exclude the press from a government webinar may lead to concerns about hidden agendas or an attempt to control the narrative. Transparency is essential to building trust between the government and the public, and closed events can raise suspicions.
Violation of Open Government Principles: Sunshine Week is a reminder of the importance of open government, and closing a webinar to the press may be perceived as a violation of the principles that underpin this initiative. Open government fosters trust, participation, and collaboration between the government and the public.
In summary, the transparency problem in this scenario lies in the perceived contradiction between the government's actions and the principles of openness and accountability, especially during a week dedicated to promoting transparency. This situation may lead to concerns about the government's commitment to transparency and its willingness to engage with the public and the press in an open and accountable manner, a right granted by the U.S. Constitution and a myriad of laws.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure area of western NC and beyond. This article is free to read due to generous support from founding member subscribers.
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