State Dept reverses decision to allow Colombian journalist to enter country for Neiman Foundation fellowship

The U.S. State Department has reversed its decision to deny a visa to Colombian investigative journalist Hollman Morris, clearing the way for Morris to participate in the Nieman Foundation for Journalism’s fellowship program at Harvard University.

IRE and many other journalism organizations contacted the State Department asking officials to reconsider their initial decision. Morris initially was told that his visa had been denied under the terrorist activities section of the Patriot Act.

Morris’ work focuses largely on human rights issues, and he has been critical of the Colombian government. In our letter to the State Department, IRE argued that such work should be celebrated – not shunned – by a country built on the foundation of free speech and a free press.

Here is the press release issued by the Nieman program.