Muscogee (Creek) Nation lawmakers consider independent press bill

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Efforts are underway to restore freedom of the press to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

A bill introduced in the Muscogee National Council would restore independence to the Mvskoke Media, the tribe's media outlet, The Oklahoma Journal Record reported. If adopted at the committee level at a meeting on Thursday evening, the measure could be considered by the full council as soon as next week.

The regular order process stands in contrast to the way the council repealed the tribe's freedom of the press law last last month. That measure was rushed through an "emergency session" that took place just hours after the bill, known as NCA 18-180, was made public.

"Indigenous journalism plays a critical role in supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination. From holding the powerful accountable to disseminating stories of cultural significance, a free and independent Indigenous press supports the goals of tribal nations by providing an open public forum for community voices," the Native American Journalists Association said in a statement in support of the new bill, known as NCA 18-184.

Separately, tribal citizens are trying to repeal NCA 18-180 through a referendum. But they failed to gather the 100 signatures required, according to a denial letter issued on Monday.

The group will try again to gather enough signatures, The Oklahoma Journal Record reported.

Mvskoke Media had been operating as an independent outlet, albeit one funded by the tribal government. NCA 18-180, which was signed into law on November 8, places it under control of the tribe's executive branch.

Council members who voted for NCA 18-180 have defended the law against widespread condemnation, saying it will not affect how Mvskoke Media operates. Chief James Floyd has vowed to "adhere to the same independent, journalistic standards" that won the outlet awards and praise.

But staff have since been told to seek approval before publishing any articles, according to news reports. Sterling Cosper, a Creek citizen who was managing Mvskoke Media, resigned in protest of the changes.