Asked about Omaha-based Yanqi Xu’s story revealing high nitrate levels on his properties, Republican Jim Pillen said ‘author is from communist China’Asian American Journalists Association voices support for award-winning journalist, denounces ‘statements that may fuel xenophobia or prejudice’
LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday addressed for the first time national criticism he has faced after dismissing a Chinese reporter’s work because of her nationality.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen dismissed Yanqi Xu's story for the Flatwater Free Press, which detailed high nitrate levels found in the water on the governor's hog farms, by saying, "All you got to do is look at the author. The author is from Communist China. What more do you need to know?”
Advocates and Nebraska lawmakers are defending a reporter after Gov Jim Pillen said her story about environmental concerns at his farms wasn’t worth discussing because the reporter was from “communist China.”
Advocates and Nebraska lawmakers are defending a reporter after Gov. Jim Pillen said her story about environmental concerns at his farms wasn’t worth discussing because the reporter was from “communist China.” The Asian American Journalists Association, the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and some state lawmakers have condemned Pillen and demanded that he apologize to Flatwater Free Press reporter Yanqi Xu. The case received a flood of publicity this week when the newspaper’s executive director wrote a scathing column. Pillen’s staff has not responded to emails or phone messages seeking comment,