SPJ Statement on North Korea Situation

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists is outraged over the 12-year prison labor sentence for U.S. journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, convicted over the weekend in North Korea.

Lee and Ling, who work for San Francisco-based Current TV, were detained March 17 while filming a documentary near the China-North Korea border. Though legally filming in China, it’s unclear whether the pair and their cameraman actually crossed into North Korea illegally. Some reports indicate North Korean border guards may have crossed into China to arrest them.

“This entire case is absolutely a sham and an unnecessary show of force by a hostile government,” said SPJ President Dave Aeikens. “North Korea will never be taken seriously on the world stage if it continues to stymie press freedom and act like an adolescent bully.”

The Obama administration has been tracking the situation and vowed to “engage in all possible channels” to secure the journalists’ release. An envoy or goodwill negotiator from the U.S. is one possibility. Former U.N. ambassador and current New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, for example, negotiated the 1996 release of Evan C. Hunziker, who was accused of spying after crossing from China into North Korea on a dare.

“We encourage the U.S. State Department to engage North Korea in diplomatic talks to help bring these two courageous women home,” said Aeikens. “Send an envoy or step-up pressure from the United Nations. Whatever it takes, we can’t let North Korea continue to use these innocent journalists as political bargaining chips.”

This marks the second time SPJ has spoken out for the release of Lee and Ling. Read a previous statement here. SPJ also advocated during the same time for the release of U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi, detained in Iran in late January, sentenced to eight years and eventually released in May. See a previous SPJ statement on Saberi here.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

With Heavy Hearts

It is important for us as a chapter to keep up-to-date with happenings at a national level.

Unfortunately, this is not a happy one.

The following is a letter from SPJ President David Aeikens:

-Evan Millward, outgoing OU SPJ President

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Subject: Terry Harper

Dear Board and committee members,

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you Executive Director Terry Harper passed away at 1:20 p.m. EST today.

As many of you know, Terry had been battling brain cancer for the past two years. He deserves a great deal of credit for the strong position SPJ is in as the nation's largest and leading journalism organization. He served as executive director for seven years.

Terry was not only a steady, energetic and decisive leader, he was our friend. Terry and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

For those of you who knew Terry, you won't be surprised to hear there will be a "nontraditional" tribute to him on Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area. On Sunday evening, per Terry's request, there will be a rip-roaring party in his honor. All are welcome to attend. More details will be provided in the coming days.

I hope as many of you as possible can make it to Indianapolis this weekend to show our respect and love for Terry. Anyone who plans to attend should contact Chris Vachon cvachon@spj.org so she can assist with hotel accommodations. Unfortunately, this is not something we can use our stipends to pay for.

As news of Terry's failing health spread the past few days, many of you asked how you could help. We have opened an account on behalf of Terry's family. This money will be used as the family chooses during this difficult time. We will also later be announcing details for a more lasting tribute to Terry.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Dave Aeikens
National President