United States: CFWIJ Condemns The Intimidation Of Journalist Rosa Flores By Florida Governor

Location: United States
Date: January 5, 2021

Rosa Flores is a CNN correspondent in Miami, Florida. She was intimidated by Florida Gov. DeSantis for asking questions about the Covid vaccine rollout. The governor repeatedly interrupted the journalist and did not let her finish her questions. DeSantis accused the reporter of asking more than one question, without even letting her finish one. CFWIJ finds governor DeSantis’ behavior towards the journalist insulting and unacceptable.

The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, called a press conference on Monday. At the event, Governor DeSantis humiliated CNN correspondent Rosa Flores for asking a question. In a video shared online, the governor is seen sharing a heated exchange with the reporter telling her, “are you going to give a speech or ask a question?”. He interrupted her multiple times while she tried to finish her question.

Later on, Rosa finally managed to ask her question and receive an answer from the governor. The governor then made another attempt to humiliate Rosa, accusing her of asking more questions. CNN anchor and correspondent Jim Scuitto also shared the video on his Twitter account saying, “This is embarrassing behavior by a public official. Well done @RosaFlores”.

This is embarrassing behavior by a public official. Well done @RosaFlores https://t.co/OgKVEWU387

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 5, 2021

Flores shared on Twitter that she did not receive the notification for a subsequent press conference held by Gov. DeSantis on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

I didn’t get an email notice from Gov DeSantis’ press office regarding the press conference that just wrapped up. @samanthajgross did you get an email like we normally do? https://t.co/7bN0bUsHzO

— Rosa Flores (@RosaFlores) January 5, 2021

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Gov. DeSantis’ aggressive attitude towards Rosa Flores. No journalist should be antagonized for asking questions that directly affect the matters of public interest. We hope that the governor will be more respectful in future interactions with women journalists and members of the press.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.