United States: Amanda Moore Harassed and Banned from Covering CPAC

Moore watched as extremists wandered freely into CPAC while her press credentials were revoked, a clear infringement on her First Amendment Rights

Location: United States, Maryland

Date: February 23, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands in full support of Amanda Moore, whose journalistic rights were blatantly infringed upon during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Moore was unfairly singled out and prohibited from covering the event, despite her possession of a valid ticket and previously approved press credentials. The arbitrary revocation of Moore's credentials, followed by her expulsion from the conference under the pretext of being on a red-flag list, signals a dangerous precedent for press freedom. This act of censorship is particularly alarming given the unchecked entry of extremist people into CPAC, juxtaposed with the targeted exclusion of a journalist known for her work on neo-Nazis and far-right movements. We vehemently condemn this blatant act of censorship and an infringement on press freedom. We demand that those involved provide an explanation for their actions that prevented Moore from carrying out her journalistic responsibilities. 

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Amanda Moore's makeshift desk in the lobby of the hotel hosting the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was a small island of dissent. Surrounded by a sea of attendees buoyed by a tide of far-right enthusiasm, Moore's presence was an anomaly —  not by choice but by force. Her press credentials were revoked, and they barred the journalist from the event. 

While Moore sat in the lobby, Ryan Sanchez, a former member of the racist group Rise Above Movement and the white-nationalist organization Identity Evropa, strolled right into the conference. Various members of the New York Young Republican Club heckled the journalist while she sat in the lobby. Bryan Betancur — who was convicted for his involvement in the January 6 attack, has an active restraining order for stalking a woman, and who sent death threats to Moore — was also welcomed at CPAC. 

“He (Betancur) has previously sent me a photo he had taken of me without my knowledge, which was unsettling,” Moore tells Women Press Freedom about her experience trying to cover the CPAC convention while not being allowed into the sessions. “He has expressed a desire to commit a mass shooting and has indicated that he would be willing to target me,” Moore continues. Despite having reported Betancur to the FBI, obtaining a restraining order against him has proven difficult, Moore tells us.

Moore, who covers the far-right, went to the convention to document its decline. Once a bustling hub for Republican elites, this year, despite being an election year, the conference was noticeably under-attended, with a dearth of breakout sessions. The single stage hosted panels on conspiracy theories and featured bizarre discussions about George Soros.

Initially, CPAC had approved the journalist's press credentials, but they were revoked two days ahead of the conference. Moore was informed that some "liberal media" members' credentials would be rescinded, but she could attend by purchasing tickets. Within hours of her arrival, security escorted her out, claiming she was on a red-flag list and wasn't allowed inside, unlike other journalists who had purchased tickets. 

While CPAC has not provided any official grounds for Moore’s exclusion, the journalist suspects it is related to her reporting.

Moore went undercover to infiltrate MAGA events across the United States in 2020. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore immersed herself in MAGA land, adopting an alias and creating a comprehensive backstory. Her mission was to gain the trust of the far-right community, witness their operations from the inside, and ultimately expose their ideologies and activities.

Moore's undercover journey, however, came to an abrupt end when her real identity was exposed. Despite this setback, her findings revealed the alarming reality of a growing far-right movement in the US through firsthand experiences with key figures in the MAGA movement and attendance at high-profile events.

One of the men Moore had interacted with during her undercover stint, Ryan Sanchez — an ex-US Marine expelled for his association with white nationalists — recognized Moore in the lobby at CPAC. He insisted on taking a photo with her. Moore refused by shielding her face. Undeterred, Sanchez leaned in for a picture, then lifted his arm in a Sieg Heil salute, much to the amusement of his friends. This was less disturbing than a previous year's incident, Moore tells Women Press Freedom, when Sanchez and his friends taunted the journalist with sexist slurs and Holocaust jokes on a livestream.

“I find it disconcerting that CPAC seems okay with the harassment of journalists, particularly those they specifically do not like, by neo-Nazi supporters.” continues Moore. 

Moore suspects the direct reason for being on a “red list” stems from her previous work, particularly a piece she about CPAC. “Nick Fuentes, a well-known far-right figure, held a pro-Hitler, pro-Kanye West rally at a hotel across the street from CPAC,” she explains. CPAC's head, Matt Schlapp, could have prevented the event legally but chose not to. Moore's other suspicion for her exclusion lies in her coverage of an employee closely associated with Steve Bannon, a friend of Schlapp. This employee harbors a strong dislike for Moore, potentially influencing Schlapp's decision. “I've received feedback suggesting that Schlapp might be the only one in his circle who's familiar with my work,” Moore tells Women Press Freedom. “I believe this to be the more likely reason for my exclusion from CPAC.”

Just before Moore was expunged from the conference, Vish Burra, NYYRC Executive Secretary, yelled profanities at her. Later that day, Burra made groundless accusations against her in one of the hotel's bars, attempting to create a scandal. 

Moore managed to snap a photo of Jared Taylor, the founder of American Renaissance, a pro-Eugenics think tank and designated hate group. Upon noticing this, Kyle Ferrera, a member of the far-right movement, confronted her, berating and insulting her work. 

“Despite being the only journalist banned from the event, my focus would have remained the same had I been allowed to attend,” Moore says about her focus on the growing acceptance of the extremist groups at CPAC. “Their ability to openly express their ideologies without consequences speaks volumes.”

Moore is doubtful about her chances of covering future CPAC events. Amidst this backdrop, she contemplates the grim state of independent journalism in the U.S., where the pursuit of clicks often overshadows substantive reporting, making her question her future in the field.

“When NBC erased me from the story, it took away my ability to push for answers,” she explains. “This lack of solidarity within the journalism community is disheartening.”

However, Moore remains unfazed by the neo-Nazis she investigates, recognizing her unique position compared to many of her peers, especially women journalists, who might not feel as secure. “I want to stress that the neo-Nazis I cover don't bother me. I understand I'm an anomaly and many journalists, particularly women, would not feel the same. (...) I will continue to do my best to shed light on these extremist groups. The work is vital to democracy, even if it's increasingly difficult to sell stories”

Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the treatment of Amanda Moore at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Moore's experience, where her press credentials were revoked and she was denied entry, ostensibly for being on a "red-flag list," while extremists roamed freely, is a stark reminder of the challenges journalists face, particularly women journalists covering sensitive or controversial topics. The presence of individuals with known extremist backgrounds at CPAC, without hindrance, while a credentialed journalist was barred, raises serious concerns about the impartiality and integrity of the credentialing process. This selective access is particularly egregious given Moore's commitment to covering neo-Nazis and far-right movements, work that is critical to our democracy and public understanding. Women Press Freedom demands accountability and a clear explanation from CPAC's organizers for the unjust treatment of Amanda Moore. 

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