NEW YORK (AP) — Journalists from a news organization dedicated to the Haitian community in the United States have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation through racist messages after they reported on a fabricated story claiming that immigrants were feeding on pets in an Ohio town.
Facing Intimidation but Staying Resilient
This week, an editor at the Haitian Times—a 25-year-old online news outlet—was the victim of a “swatting” incident, where police were dispatched to her home due to a false report of a horrific crime. The Haitian Times subsequently canceled a community forum it had scheduled in Springfield, Ohio, and has halted public comments on related stories to protect its staff from threats and abusive posts.
Garry Pierre-Pierre, the founder and publisher of the Times, indicated that despite these challenges, the publication is committed to reporting the truth. He emphasized their resolve: “We’ve never faced anything like this.” The Times has previously engaged the Committee to Protect Journalists to conduct safety training for its staff in Haiti and is now seeking similar guidance for protecting its journalists in the U.S.
Despite receiving a barrage of over 300 threatening messages, the Times remains steadfast. Pierre-Pierre, a former New York Times reporter, reiterated the publication’s mission statement, stating, “We do not want to hibernate. Our primary responsibility is to convey the truth, without fear or favor, and we have no fear.”
Macollvie Neel, the special projects editor based in New York, was the journalist targeted in the swatting incident. Police arrived at her home after a Haitian advocacy group received a misleading email alleging a crime at her address. The perpetrators cleverly obscured their identities by routing the report through another organization, demonstrating a calculated effort to target her.
Neel had sensed that something like this could occur due to the hate-filled messages directed at her, but the actual event was still shocking. She noted that the responding police officers were unfamiliar with the concept of doxxing—where personal information is publicly shared as a means of harassment—heightening her sense of vulnerability. The police searched her house before leaving, which further compounded her fears.
In discussing the current climate, Neel remarked, “This is a new form of domestic terrorism,” calling for a serious response to this kind of intimidation against journalists.
Rising Support and Solidarity
Katherine Jacobsen, the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, labeled the ongoing harassment of journalists covering this story as truly appalling. “It’s outrageous,” she asserted. “We should not be having this conversation. Yet, here we are.”
Even before the situation in Springfield attracted national scrutiny, the Haitian Times had been actively reporting on the surge of immigrants moving to the Midwest in search of better employment opportunities and affordable living costs. One recent article tackled how the unrest reflects lingering issues faced by newcomers vital to America’s economic landscape. The publication also highlighted how the NAACP and various Haitian-American organizations are rallying to assist Springfield residents amidst this crisis.
Support has poured in from other journalists, including from Pierre-Pierre’s former colleagues, further affirming the strength of the journalism community. “I’m deeply touched,” he said, appreciating the solidarity during this turbulent time.
Pierre-Pierre, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1975, initially launched the Haitian Times to address the issues affecting first- and second-generation Haitians in the United States while also focusing on developments back in Haiti. Originally a print publication, it transitioned to an online format in 2012 and currently attracts between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors daily, with a notable uptick in readership recently.
Ongoing Commitment to Truth
As the situation evolves, the Haitian Times continues to stand firm in its mission, confronting challenges head-on while ensuring its dedication to accurate reporting remains unshakeable. The ongoing support from both the community and fellow journalists underscores the essential role that journalism plays in a democratic society.
David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him on Twitter at http://x.com/dbauder.
