Last week, Uyiosa Elegon covered the critical need for movement journalism for @columjournreview.bsky.social—& the reality of the threats we're facing.
A free press is vital to democracy & fighting fascism & we need our readers' help.
tinyurl.com/yc5jf4ej
![to: daniel.martuscello@doccs.ny.gov,
OSIComplaint@doccs.ny.gov,
Michael.Ritter@doccs.ny.gov,
Brooke.Blaise@doccs.ny.gov
cc: hello@empowermentave.org
Hello Commissioner Martuscello, Superintendent Ritter, Superintendent Blaise, and OSI,
My name is [X] and I am a [X[. I am writing to demand immediate intervention regarding incarcerated journalist Devin Giordano #17A1451, who was just abruptly transferred to Coxsackie Correctional Facility following an assault at Eastern NY Correctional Facility.
We have received credible reports that staff at Eastern NY CF, specifically Sgt. Daddezio, Sgt. Wilson, and potentially others, engaged in retaliation against Mr. Giordano related to his published reporting and allegedly explicitly incited violence against him. Following this, Mr. Giordano reportedly suffered a laceration in an attack.
While Mr. Giordano has been transferred to Coxsackie CF, he has NOT been placed in Voluntary Protective Custody (VPC) despite his formal requests due to ongoing threats to his safety incited by staff. We are demanding the following immediate actions:
- Immediate approval of his VPC request at Coxsackie CF or elsewhere to ensure his physical safety from further violence or staff retaliation.
- Preservation of all surveillance footage and physical evidence at Eastern NY CF, including his unwashed clothing, related to the assault and other acts of retaliation.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fyw2ww4fdhthaxdrvir6mo7y/bafkreifobonymadcxiytke7vqnelnhgcplqehhpsmdxa6fwzpfxmuwkqvi)
![- Immediate, proper medical evaluation and treatment of his injuries sustained at Eastern NY CF, fully documented in his medical files.
- Immediate investigation by the Office of Special Investigations into staff conduct at Eastern NY CF.
- Protection of Mr. Giordano’s legal materials, journalistic property, educational access, and First Amendment rights at his new facility.
This is an urgent life-safety matter. Outside legal advocates, media organizations, and community supporters are actively monitoring the situation across both facilities and DOCCS’ response.
We will continue following up until Mr. Giordano’s safety is secured and his First Amendment, Eighth Amendment, and civil rights are protected. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[x]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fyw2ww4fdhthaxdrvir6mo7y/bafkreig5ewg4hskxkdbzdabcvanz6piajvzas4nwxwczsfea7r2ftjpcyy)
![A screenshot from Marium Zahra's article for Prism Reports; the selection included reads "Administrations often discourage certain topics as a way to coerce students into self-censoring their reporting. Myesha Phukan, a high school journalist from Mountain View, California, said she has faced intimidation from her school administration after attempting to run a story on alleged perpetrators of sexual harassment on her campus.
“[The principal] came into the classroom and started talking about how schools don’t have journalism programs anymore, and we’re really lucky that we have one. To me and the rest of the team, it felt like a threat … We felt pressure to write the article a certain way,” Phukan said. “We removed specific instances of harassment as well as obscured details about when they had occurred … If we aren’t able to express our voices, then honestly, there’s no point.”
Student censorship goes beyond vague reporting and left-out narratives; for students, it’s becoming a tool to demoralize them from pursuing careers in journalism.
“You’re telling them [students], “Don’t push any boundaries. Don’t try to make any changes. Don’t say anything that could get you in trouble.’ You’re not preparing them for the real world,” explained Christopher Denkovich, a high school student from Pittsburgh.
“Many people like to point fingers at journalists for being ‘corrupt,’ but when news organizations themselves are corrupt, and journalists need to be employed, what can they even do?” said Ishrat Madiha, a high school student from Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas. “Tackling the issue at a school level, before these journalists join big corporations, will help students learn what ethical, honest journalism is.”
For journalism advisers, opposing administrative censorship could result in the administration disciplining them or ending school journalism programs completely."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fyw2ww4fdhthaxdrvir6mo7y/bafkreigo3ujoldenf44pzdd37dkdg3r4m4bz24sxatepsi75yzdygvij7q)
