Muscogee citizens approve press protections for tribal media

(AP) — Muscogee Nation voters have approved press protections for their tribe’s news enterprise.

Indian Country Today reports that Muscogee citizens voted overwhelmingly last week to amend the tribe’s constitution to include press freedoms and mandate funding for Mvskoke Media.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, but many tribal nations lack such protections in their own constitutions.

Mvskoke Media director Angel Ellis described the amendment’s September 18th approval as “wildly empowering.”

Representatives of the Native American Journalists Association also lauded the news, saying a free press is key to holding those in power accountable.