The Trump administration wants to drastically cut how long foreign journalists are allowed to live and work in the US. Media groups, including DW, say the move would erode press freedoms.
Over 100 media organizations from around the world have called for the United States government to roll back a proposal that would severely shorten how long foreign journalists are permitted to live and work in the country.
Under the current regulations, journalists holding the I visa are permitted to stay in the US for periods of five years that can be renewed indefinitely.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Kristi Noem, a conservative ally of US President Donald Trump, wants to shorten that period to just 240 days.
What have the world’s media said about the proposal?
In a joint statement, 118 media groups — including DW — urged the Trump administration to keep the I visa program in place.
Allowing journalists to spend “years, not months” in the country serves US interests by “ensuring that America’s policies, culture, and leadership are clearly and accurately communicated to international audiences in their own languages,” the statement said.
Disrupting the current system “risks leaving the world less informed about American news and current affairs,” it added.
“Rival nations and powerful adversaries will waste no time in filling the resulting vacuum with narratives about the US that serve their own interests before the truth,” the media groups warned.
“The US has always stood for openness, freedom of expression and a strong, independent press. Restricting foreign media access risks undermining that legacy because it emulates countries where press freedom is near extinct. That would damage, not enhance, America’s global standing,” they said.
In a statement, DW’s Director General Peter Limbourg said, “The proposed changes to US visa regulations would directly affect our ability to maintain a strong journalistic presence in the United States.
“It would limit access for our international correspondents, undermining our mission to provide independent news coverage. Deutsche Welle stands firmly with its international media partners as we call on US authorities to ensure fair conditions for foreign media organizations,” Limbourg said.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also urged the Trump administration to “abandon” the proposal, saying “it serves no purpose other than to erect unnecessary barriers for foreign reporters and will produce a chilling effect on press freedom.”
Who else would be affected by the proposed visa changes?
The DHS also wants to limit holders of F and J visas, which affect foreign students and people visiting as part of exchange programs.
It explained that since 1978, foreign students holding F visas have been able to remain in the US for “an indefinite amount of time without further screening and vetting.”
These students “have taken advantage of US generosity and have become ‘forever’ students, perpetually enrolled in higher education courses to remain” in the country, the DHS said in a press release.
“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said.
“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all” and ease “the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” it added.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/global-media-urge-us-not-to-restrict-journalists-visas/a-73964585
