Journalists at the Haitian Times, an online publication covering the Haitian community in the U.S., have faced harassment and intimidation due to their coverage of a false story about immigrants eating pets in an Ohio town. The editor of the publication was subjected to a false report of a crime, resulting in police showing up at her home. Subsequently, the news site canceled a community forum and disabled public comments on related stories due to threats and offensive posts.
Garry Pierre-Pierre, the founder and publisher of the Haitian Times, stated that they have never encountered such aggression before and are seeking advice on how to safeguard their staff in the U.S. The publication, with a mission to report the truth without fear, has actively refuted the fabricated story about immigrants consuming pets that was perpetuated by political figures like Ohio Senator JD Vance and former President Donald Trump.
Despite facing hundreds of hostile messages, the Haitian Times remains resolute in its reporting. The publication, founded by Pierre-Pierre to address issues concerning first- and second-generation Haitians in the U.S., continues to cover stories impacting the community. Macollvie Neel, the special projects editor, experienced a concerning incident with police showing up at her residence based on false information, highlighting the risks faced by journalists.
Macollvie Neel emphasized the sophisticated and well-funded nature of racist hate groups engaging in such harassment, referring to it as a form of domestic terrorism that demands serious attention. The Committee to Protect Journalists raised concerns about the targeted harassment faced by the Haitian Times journalists, condemning the retaliatory actions taken against them.
Despite the challenges, the Haitian Times has received support from various quarters, including fellow journalists and advocacy groups. Pierre-Pierre expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown towards their publication amidst the ongoing attacks and stated that they would continue their commitment to reporting the truth amid adversity.
