Sandra Fish, a political reporter for The Colorado Sun, was escorted out of the state GOP assembly on Saturday after being told hours before the event by a Colorado GOP event organizer that she was no longer allowed to attend the assembly and then going anyway. The Colorado GOP chooses its candidates for the November election at the assembly. Fish was removed from the event after being told that Colorado GOP chairman Dave Williams found her reporting to be unfair. State Republicans criticized Fish’s removal from the event on social media, with former Colorado GOP chair Kristi Burton Brown calling the move “dangerous” and emphasizing the importance of transparency in journalism and the political process.
Colorado state Representative Matt Soper also criticized the decision to eject Fish, stating that allowing public and media observation of candidate selection processes is vital for maintaining a healthy and transparent republic, regardless of agreement or disagreement with the reporter. State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer expressed her embarrassment and astonishment at the incident, citing Fish as a fair, honest, and respected reporter. Former state representative and state Senator Greg Brophy called the situation “unbelievable” and called for the removal of Williams from his position as GOP chair. The incident raises concerns about press freedom, transparency in political processes, and the treatment of journalists covering political events.
When Fish showed up to the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo on Saturday, she was initially granted a press credential to enter the event but was later told to leave and escorted out by a police officer. This action was captured on video by other journalists at the scene. Colorado state Senator Nick Hinrichsen, a Democrat, criticized the use of law enforcement to censor press coverage of a public political event, describing it as an abuse of power and a violation of trust. GOP chair Dave Williams defended his decision to remove Fish, stating that The Colorado Sun is an extension of the Democratic Party and claiming that the GOP does not need their coverage at their convention.
Fish has previously covered Williams and the state Republican Party, including a story about the Colorado GOP sending a mailer attacking Williams’ congressional primary opponent. Fish emphasized the importance of reporting on such events for the public to see, capturing the actions of political parties and their leaders. The incident has sparked a debate on the role of journalists in covering political events, the importance of press freedom and transparency, and the treatment of journalists by political organizations. The response to Fish’s ejection from the event highlights the complexities and challenges faced by journalists in reporting on political activities and the implications for democracy and public accountability.
