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August 8, 2007
NAHJ Mourns the Loss of Chauncey Bailey
Media Contacts: Iván Román, (202) 662-7178
Lisa Goodnight, (202) 662-1274
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists condemns the shooting of Chauncey Bailey, the Oakland Post newspaper editor, killed Aug. 2 apparently for his journalistic work. Bailey was 57.
Oakland police officials stated that 19-year-old Devaughndre Broussard confessed to killing Bailey because of his investigations into the finances of Your Black Muslim Bakery, where Broussard worked as a handyman. Police said the gunman told them he was angry over Bailey’s critical coverage of the bakery. According to news reports, the owners were known for having an open door to struggling families but in recent years, the group has been tied to murders, racism, sexual assaults on young girls, and vandalism.
The police investigation into the killing continues because they believe others were involved. NAHJ calls on police investigators to diligently seek the alleged killer’s accomplices and not allow them to escape with impunity.
“The killing of a journalist is not just a tragedy for that person and his or her family, but it is a crime against civil society and the most direct and gruesome attack on the essential principles of freedom of the press,” said NAHJ Executive Director Iván Román.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the last time a journalist was killed on U.S. soil was in October 1993 in Miami when Haitian-born radio commentator Dona St. Plite was murdered at a benefit for the family of a supporter of ousted Haitian President Jean Bertrande Aristide. Records show that journalists killed in the U.S. tend to be immigrants working for the ethnic press. Bailey’s assassination appears to be the first in memory of an American-born black journalist on U.S. soil.
“While sadly too many journalists are killed in the line of duty across the world, this is still shocking and heartbreaking, particularly since this is so unusual on U.S. soil,” Román said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Chauncey Bailey and his friends and colleagues as we mourn the loss of a committed journalist who was a champion for so many.”
Widely described as outspoken and assertive when it came to getting the story, Bailey was a longtime reporter for The Oakland Tribune and assumed the Oakland Post editorship in June, according to news reports. His journalism career included stops at T he Detroit News , The Hartford ( Conn.) Courant, United Press International in Chicago and KDIA radio, among other places.
Friends said Bailey was a tireless advocate for journalism – interested in seeing more blacks and people of color in the field.
A funeral mass for Bailey was held Wednesday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Oakland.
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