IRE Board of Directors issues statement defending press freedoms

(Feb. 24, 2025) — Today, the IRE Board of Directors issued the following statement:

For 50 years, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) has worked to foster excellence in investigative journalism by providing cutting-edge training, promoting high standards and supporting a community of truthtellers.

Investigative journalism plays an essential role in society. It provides a check on power, exposing wrongdoing, saving taxpayer money and protecting the vulnerable from abuse. The ability of the media to do this work freely is not just a professional concern — it is a fundamental pillar of an informed world.

The United States government has recently taken several actions against journalists that raise serious concerns, including launching targeted investigations, blocking access to public events and threatening to cut funding that supports some investigative news organizations here and abroad.

IRE stands strongly with our colleagues around the globe. The organization is forming a working group to explore how it can help protect an independent press and access to public data.

Our training evolves as our members’ needs change. We have a variety of training resources available, including webinars and tipsheets. We are planning events on digital security and protecting your team amid other safety threats. We are also working with other journalism organizations on efforts to preserve public information, including essential data.

If you have suggestions, training requests or other ideas, please contact us at president@ire.org.