Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is under fire for dismissing a critical investigative report on environmental issues concerning his hog farming business by making remarks about the journalist's
Chinese nationality.
Yanqi Xu, a 27-year-old reporter from Nebraska's non-profit news outlet, The Flatwater Free Press, authored an article in September highlighting elevated nitrate levels detected on hog farms owned by Governor Pillen. According to her investigation, 16 of Pillen's hog farms registered nitrate levels five times higher than what the federal government deems safe for drinking water.
Xu's intention was to question the governor about the source of these high nitrate levels and prompt him to address the growing nitrate issue in Nebraska. Unfortunately, Governor Pillen did not respond to multiple requests for comment, although the story included a statement from Sarah Pillen, the governor's daughter and CEO of Pillen Family Farms. Sarah Pillen stated that the company is committed to being positive environmental stewards of the land and maintains a 17-member team to protect Nebraska's groundwater and manage nutrients.
However, four days after Xu's article was published, Governor Pillen was interviewed by KFAB, an Omaha radio station, where he was asked to comment on her report. The governor's response was dismissive. He declared that he hadn't read the report and had no intention of doing so, as he cited Xu's Chinese nationality with the remark, "Number two, all you've got to do is look at the author, author's from Communist China — what more do you need to know?"
Yanqi Xu, who was born and raised in China and came to the U.S. in 2017 to pursue a journalism master's degree, expressed her shock at Governor Pillen's comments. She explained her decision to speak out was challenging, but she felt it was necessary. In her view, the comments unfairly targeted her based on her background and ignored the facts presented in her report.
The Flatwater Free Press and the Nebraska Journalism Trust issued statements in support of Xu. They requested an apology from Governor Pillen, who did not respond to their calls and emails. The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) also voiced support for Xu, emphasizing her right to do her job without judgment based on her nationality. AAJA denounced statements that could fuel xenophobia or prejudice.
Xu, who hoped to focus attention on her reporting rather than becoming part of a news story, has become a symbol of resilience in the face of such challenges. The incident highlights the importance of respecting journalists and their work, irrespective of their nationality or background, while also reinforcing the need to hold public officials accountable for their actions and statements. Photo by Matt Johnson, Wikimedia commons.