AG Sulzberger Urges Journalists: Keep Reporting Without Fear or Favor

I can see some of you asking yourselves - why is the Wordle guy at this thing? We do investigative reporting too, I promise.

I'm pleased to see so many people and organizations here to support IRE tonight. You all know the work of investigative reporting is hard, expensive, often contested, and increasingly rare. It is also essential.

Investigative reporting reveals the facts that others want hidden. It makes reform and accountability possible. It empowers the public with the information they need to steer our democracy.

IRE was launched 50 years ago to advance just this type of work. Since then, it has become a vital hub of resources, training, and support for investigative journalists. Congratulations to the IRE team on all you've done and all that is still to come.

And to the extraordinary collection of reporters and editors in this room - thank you for what you do. That includes my Times colleagues over there. One of the things I'm proudest of is how much our investigative team has grown in size and ambition. We've more than tripled our investigative ranks over the last decade, and launched new efforts like our Local Investigations Fellowship, which partners with other organizations, including a few in this room, to take on the big, complicated stories that make a difference.

I'm conscious that I'm the last speaker keeping you from dinner. But I want to take a moment to talk about the worsening climate journalists face today, because one of the core tenets of investigative reporting is that finding solutions starts with looking unsparingly at the problem.

Democracy is in retreat across the world. Aspiring strongmen are undermining the laws, norms, and institutions that are the bedrock of free societies. A primary target of this project is the press - because when journalists are kept from providing independent information to the public, it becomes far easier for those in power to act with impunity.

My colleagues and I have spent more than a year studying the anti-press playbook used in places like Hungary, India, Brazil and Turkey. Today, we're seeing these same tactics deployed in the United States, a country long synonymous with press freedom. The playbook has five core elements:

If the free press is a watchdog, the playbook seeks to make it a lapdog.

Each element in this playbook is apparent in the escalating anti-press campaign by the Trump administration.

Many of you have experienced these tactics firsthand. The Times has been a not-infrequent target as well. We spend nearly 10 times more today than we did a decade ago to protect the safety, security and legal rights of our journalists. So I'm certainly cleareyed about the pressure being brought to bear.

But I also believe there are clear steps we can all take.

First, continue to report on this administration without fear or favor. Following the facts and reporting the truth are not partisan acts. They do not make journalists the opposition. In that spirit journalists should not let themselves be baited into acting as such, whether through jeers or cheers. Instead let's continue to ask the tough questions and bring the public the information it needs - fully, fairly, and independently.

Second, stand up for our rights. News organizations like the AP, NPR, and the Journal deserve praise for defending the rights we all rely on. Countless others, including many in this room, are reporting fearlessly day after day despite the retaliation they know they may face. There are also some news organizations that have retreated under pressure, making future attacks on the rest of the press more likely. Still others are sitting on important stories because they fear blowback. There are a lot of media leaders in this room tonight and if I have one ask of you, it is this: stand up for your journalism, stand up for your journalists and stand up for your rights. The American press enjoys tremendous support under the law, but your rights can only protect you if you exercise them.

Third, support our fellow news organizations when they come under attack. Our industry has a long history of fierce competition for stories, but unity of purpose when press freedom comes under threat. That solidarity will be necessary to avoid falling prey to the divide-and-conquer strategy we've seen employed against law firms and universities.

Fourth, show the public what journalism is, how we do it, and why it matters. A free press - and the culture of free inquiry and free expression it supports - is a central pillar of self-rule, of personal liberty, of national greatness. But as we grapple with rising polarization, tribalism and distrust, we can no longer take for granted the public's faith in our work. We must make the case for why people should care about journalism, believe it, and make room for it in their lives.

And most importantly, keep reporting. Keep at it no matter what challenges come our way. My colleague Dean Baquet, who is here tonight, likes to say that whatever the problem, the answer is always more and better journalism.

So, congratulations to IRE on 50 years. Congratulations to all of you for the important work you do. Stay strong and keep reporting.