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Muscogee Nation Citizens Will Vote On Free Press Protections

Sterling Cosper
The Mvskoke Media staff after winning the NAJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award at the 2016 NAJA conference in New Orleans.

The Muscogee Nation approved legislation last week to add a ballot question that could strengthen the tribal nation's free press protections.

The ballot question asks citizens of the Muscogee Nation if they want to make free press protections permanent.

In 2018, Muscogee Media, the tribal nation's news outlet, had their free press protections revoked until July of last year, when it was reinstated.

"If we get a constitutional amendment passed, they can't do this midnight hour repeal again without approval from the citizens," said Sterling Cosper, who is Muscogee Media's former editor and now works for the Native American Journalists Association.

If passed, the amendment would also guarantee funding for Muscogee Media. The vote on press protections will take place this fall.

This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.

Allison Herrera is a radio and print journalist who's worked for PRX's The World, Colorado Public Radio as the climate and environment editor and as a freelance reporter for High Country News’ Indigenous Affairs desk.
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