5 Sep 2017 12:05 pm
Press group to NRA: 'It is un-American to threaten journalists'
A trade group that represents The New York Times, the Associated Press and other major publishers is calling out the NRA, accusing the gun rights group of crossing a line and threatening journalists.
"We were taken aback by your recent criticism of The New York Times," the group Digital Content Next wrote in a letter to NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch on Tuesday.
In a viral video last month, Loesch harshly attacked the Times as an "untrustworthy, dishonest rag."
She said her video was a "shot across your proverbial bow."
"We're going to laser-focus on your so-called honest pursuit of truth," Loesch said.
"In short: We're coming for you."
The video received ample attention in conservative media circles.
Fox News said the NRA was "targeting" the Times.
Loesch denied threatening the paper or its journalists. But Digital Content Next decided to speak out about the video and the NRA's ongoing anti-media campaign.
"It's your equal right to express your disagreement with viewpoints expressed by The New York Times or any other news organizations.
The Constitution and its amendments are not ripe for cherry picking," the trade group said in Tuesday's letter.
"However, when you use such incendiary language as 'we're coming for you,' it is our right to suggest in the strongest terms that your behavior is blatantly irresponsible as it may incite violence against journalists."
"Ninety-nine people out of a hundred would interpret this language as threatening and to suggest otherwise is disingenuous at best and dangerous at worst.
Bottom line: It is un-American to threaten journalists," the letter said.