SANTA FE, NM – Today, Independent Women issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Santa Fe New Mexican for publishing demonstrably false and injurious statements against Independent Women’s Forum (IWF). Independent Women demands immediate correction and for the Santa Fe New Mexican to immediately cease and desist the dissemination of inaccurate communications mischaracterizing the organization’s work in New Mexico and smearing its support for women and girls and for equality.
In an article previewing the event, the Santa Fe New Mexican disparaged Independent Women, characterized the Her Game. Her Legacy. celebration event as anti-transgender, and labeled the event in Santa Fe as a “transgender athletes in women’s sports event” and a “bus tour against trans athletes in women’s sports.” In addition, the Santa Fe New Mexican deceptively characterized the event as political and partisan. These false statements were published without regard for the facts or for the reputational harm such claims would cause.
As a result of this irresponsible reporting, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute (SFFMI)—the event’s contracted venue—breached its contract, forcing Independent Women to find an alternative location to host the Her Game. Her Legacy. event—hours before Independent Women’s pre-arranged setup and vendor deliveries were scheduled to begin.
Beth Parlato, senior legal advisor for Independent Women’s Law Center, said in the letter, “The article’s tone, selective quoting, and omission of critical context strongly prove that the piece was not written in pursuit of fair or balanced reporting. Instead, it was published with the specific intention of discrediting the event and maligning those involved. Such conduct implies actual malice or, at the very least, a reckless disregard for the truth, a serious matter under defamation law. This intentional misrepresentation has already caused reputational harm to IWF.”
The letter states that, should the Santa Fe New Mexican fail to comply with the above demands, appropriate legal action may follow.
Read the full letter here.
###
Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended but actually enhance people’s opportunities and well-being.
