Attorney General Morrisey Calls on Media Outlets to Stop Paying Journalists tied to Terrorist Organization

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Monday joined a coalition of 14 states in a letter demanding that big news media make sure they are not paying journalists with ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas.
Following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that brutally murdered more than 1,400 men, women and children, reports revealed that several news media outlets had employed individuals with suspected ties to Hamas. In one instance, a journalist who worked for both The Associated Press and Reuters was present at the Oct. 7 terror attack and even posted a video of himself carrying a grenade on a motorcycle during the assault.
“Participating in any way, shape or form in murderous activities by terrorists has no room anywhere in a civilized society, especially in the media who are tasked to inform the public,” Attorney General Morrisey said, joining in writing that “material support of terrorist organizations is illegal” and media outlets “should ensure that you are taking all necessary steps to prevent your organizations’ hiring members of terror organizations.”
It is a violation of both state and federal law to knowingly provide material support for a designated terrorist organization—Hamas is a designated terrorist organization.
Paying a member of such an organization counts as material support.
The letter demands that, going forward, media outlets such as The New York Times, The Associated Press, Reuters and CNN make sure that they are not paying journalists associated with terrorist organizations and strengthen their vetting process.
Attorney General Morrisey joined the Iowa-led the letter with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.