Hollman Morris Courtesy of Nieman Journalism Lab
The board of Investigative Reporters and Editors joins other journalism organizations in the United States to protest the U.S. State Department’s recent decision to deny a visa for Colombian investigative journalist Hollman Morris, who was selected as a Nieman fellow for the 2010-2011 year at Harvard University. Morris is among the most prominent investigative TV reporters in Colombia and often courageously goes behind the lines of guerilla wars there to collect information for his stories primarily focusing on human rights. He’s a frequent speaker at international conferences and well-known for both the risks he takes – and the results of his work.
The denial of his visa to attend this prestigious fellowship program – in itself a recognition of the quality of his work – is outrageous and should be immediately reconsidered.
Here are links to two stories about the denial:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/09/AR2010070905438.html
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/07/us-bars-top-colombian-journalist-from-harvard-labeling-him-a-terrorist/1
IRE is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting in the U.S. and throughout the world.
