Denver, Colorado—

Politicians and news outlets in Colorado are expressing outrage over the ejection of a veteran political reporter from a Republican rally last weekend who was told the state chairman “believes the current coverage is grossly unfair.”

Journalists and prominent politicians, including the former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, defended the idea. colorado sun reporter Sandra Fish and spoke out against current state Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams, who said he had “no apologies” for ousting Fish.

The controversy comes amid a nationwide attack on the media, sparked in part by former President Donald Trump’s popularization of the term “fake news.” The expulsion also appears to be hurting support in Monday’s Republican primary.

The state Republican Party announced on social media platform Deborah Flora, in part because of the “Deb Flora lied about attending the CD4 convention” process, now she’s licking fake reporters who only help the Democrats. ”

The post was a direct reply to Flora’s post defending Fish at X, in which Flora said the deportation was “wrong and a violation of the First Amendment.”

The chairman, who introduces himself on the party’s website as “Dave ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Williams,” is seeking the nomination to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lambert, who is retiring from Congress. The 5th District seat held by Doug Lamborn.

Williams said in a text message that he made no apology for kicking Fish from the Pueblo rally on Saturday and accused her of being a “fake reporter,” colorado sun is biased. When asked via text message for a sample, Williams did not respond. colorado sun is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet covering Colorado.

“I invite anyone to share any examples colorado sun or Sandra Fish is unfair or inaccurate. So far, I haven’t heard anything,” News Media Editor Larry Lakeman said. “The Founding Fathers were not big fans of newspapers at the time. But they understand that a healthy democracy requires a free, unfettered press. ”

The convention, held about two hours south of Denver, is designed in part to elect delegates to the Republican National Committee and lay out the party’s platform for the election.

“There are 900,000 Republicans and a lot of unaffiliated voters in Colorado who are interested in what’s going on at this rally,” Fish told The Associated Press by phone. “They’re learning about it through reporters like me who are covering it there. situation.” Monday.

“As one person on Twitter pointed out, I’m a little old lady and I’ve been in this business a long time and I just don’t think it’s right to kick journalists out of a meeting like this. ” has been covering politics since 1982.

Fish said she heard rumors before the event that she would be banned and asked event organizer Eric Grossman, who texted her Thursday to say he would get back to her.

“Thanks. I’ve been covering these rallies for at least seven cycles and never had a problem before,” Fish replied. Lakeman tried to contact Williams Thursday night to discuss it, but said Williams never responded.

Grossman texted Fish before dawn Saturday to say she would not be included in the media list and that “the state chairman believes the current coverage is grossly unfair.”

“I went anyway because, come on, this is supposed to be a public event,” Fish said. She was given a press pass after registering and wore a Colorado Sun name tag around her neck.

After about an hour, security asked her to leave. Fish showed her press credentials, then Grossman arrived, and a deputy sheriff was soon called. Fish left with his lieutenant.

“We will not apologize for expelling a fake reporter who actually infiltrated our event,” Williams said in a text message. “Her publication was just an extension of the Democratic PR efforts and the only backlash we saw came from fake news The media, radical Democrats, and the RINOs who hate our conservative base.”

Grossman said in a text message that Fish’s actions were a “selfish political stunt.”

Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer defended the reporter in a post on Dear reporter, as a Republican, I am embarrassed by the chairman of the Republican Party.”

Kristi Burton Brown, the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, also chimed in at necessary.” ”

Among other stories, Fish reported on how the Colorado Republican Party under Williams paid for emails subtly attacking one of Williams’ primary opponents and that fundraising slowed during his tenure as chairman.