Statement: Rhode Island Comic Con

The Rhode Island Press Association's statement on the Rhode Island Comic Con proposed press credential restrictions:

Rhode Island Comic Con, in its application for press passes to this year's event, insists that news organizations planning to cover it pledge to avoid "insulting or disrespectful comments and giving a bad image of the show."

The Rhode Island Press Association deplores this attempt to control the free speech of reporters and editors, and our members do not agree to this restriction. While the editorial decisions of our individual organizations are theirs to make, as a press association we would rather avoid coverage -- both in advance and afterward -- than give any event's organizers the ability to dictate our stories."