The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists is calling for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to lift her ban of a WYPR reporter.
In a letter addressed to Rawlings-Blake, the group asked that Kenneth Burns--WYPR's city hall reporter--be allowed to return to news conferences following weekly Board of Estimates meetings.
RELATED: Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake bans reporter from post-Board of Estimates press conferences
The mayor banned Burns last week, citing verbally and physically threatening behavior. Burns has denied the allegations.
The BABJ has been unable to verify Rawlings-Blake's claims. In the letter, the group emphasizes the U.S. Constitutional right to receive information through the free press.
"For the foregoing reasons, we are concerned that your decision appears to be in response to an adversarial exchange, and not due to any imminent threats or danger," said BABJ leaders in the letter.
The full letter can be read here.
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