The North American Committee (NAC) of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today welcomed coordinated editorials published by hundreds of newspapers across the United States in support of press freedom.

In a statement, the NAC said it “lauded and supported the efforts of 350 American publications to support a free and robust press.”

It continued: “The editorials, while aimed at derogatory statements by President Donald Trump, should be seen as a effort to remind the American people that the press has an important role in a democracy. Violence or attacks against journalists undermine our democracy. This is an issue that speaks to the heart of who we are as Americans – that we need a free and fearless press to be able to function in our democracy. These editorials remind all of us the important function of the press in our society.”

The editorials came as the U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning “attacks on the institution of the press” and affirming that “the press is not the enemy of the people”.