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{
"title": "Court upholds subpoena of Richmond Times-Dispatch in civil lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/court-upholds-subpoena-of-richmond-times-dispatch-in-civil-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2021-04-29T18:38:29.979290Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-08-14T13:34:01.798104Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-08-14T13:34:01.636829Z",
"date": "2020-01-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Richmond",
"longitude": -77.46026,
"latitude": 37.55376,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"1v83a\">On Jan. 7, 2020, a subpoena was issued to the BH Media Group, owner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, seeking published and source material from any interviews the newspaper had done with Jason Kamras, superintendent of Richmond Public Schools and one of the defendants in a lawsuit concerning an alleged cheating scandal at a local elementary school.</p><p data-block-key=\"ah1ec\">In July 2019, three of the school’s former teachers sued Kamras, the Richmond City School Board and Richmond Public Schools for “defamation and violation of their right to due process,” according to <a href=\"https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/former-teachers-sue-rps-superintendent-after-carver-sol-cheating-scandal/\">WRIC</a>, the ABC affiliate station in Richmond. The teachers had proctored Standards of Learning tests in 2018 and were later cited in a <a href=\"http://richmondfreepress.com/documents/2018/aug/07/carver-elementary-vdoe-report/\">Virginia Department of Education report</a> that summarized testing irregularities and noted that “inappropriate assistance” had been provided by some school employees to help students pass their tests.</p><p data-block-key=\"xjgnz\">The Times-Dispatch <a href=\"https://richmond.com/news/local/carver-principal-and-5-others-resign-from-richmond-public-schools-after-test-cheating-investigation/article_f7ee4f6e-61d2-56f8-a019-3465f21017c8.html\">covered</a> the scandal throughout the summer of 2018. During pretrial discovery in the case, the plaintiffs subpoenaed the Times-Dispatch to produce published and unpublished material regarding the coverage of the scandal by the newspaper. The parties resolved most of the requests made in the subpoena with the exception of certain unpublished material, including the recording of an interview conducted between reporter Justin Mattingly and Kamras. In the motion to quash the subpoena, the newspaper argued that the First Amendment extends protection to all unpublished material obtained in the process of news-gathering and that the recording of the interview was irrelevant, since the plaintiff’s defamation claims were based on Kamras’ public statements.</p><p data-block-key=\"x69l9\">On May 22, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia <a href=\"https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5ed688734653d00b844931a6\">denied the motion to quash</a> the subpoena, noting that the recording of the interview was testament to Kamras’ state of mind and deemed it plausible that Kamras made other similar, possibly defamatory statements during the course of the interview.</p><p data-block-key=\"znzxr\">The court held that the newspaper’s claim that the information could be obtained from other sources, including cross-examination of the defendant, was nonviable, since the defendant’s recollection could raise concerns of credibility during the trial. It also acknowledged that the newspaper had diminished interest in protecting the source, since Kamras was not a confidential source, and ruled “that the interest in disclosure outweighs the Reporter's interest.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9bclf\">When reached for comment, Richmond Times-Dispatch executive editor Paige Mudd told the Tracker that the newspaper “won’t have any comment on this matter.” David B. Lacy, an attorney for BH Media Group, did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ej3g\">BH Media group was <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.450232/gov.uscourts.vaed.450232.32.0.pdf\">ordered</a> to produce the recording by May 29. With no further information available, the status of the subpoena is classified as “carried out.”</p><p data-block-key=\"g8sb\"><i>Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include details of the May 22, 2020, order and to modify the subpoena status.</i></p></div>",
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{
"title": "Trump Justice Department secretly obtained records of 4 New York Times reporters",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-phone-records-of-four-new-york-times-reporters/",
"first_published_at": "2021-06-21T15:56:37.518168Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:48:19.014597Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:48:18.914656Z",
"date": "2020-01-01",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vhprs\">The U.S. Department of Justice informed The New York Times on June 2, 2021, that the agency secretly obtained phone records of four of the newspaper’s reporters during the Trump administration, the Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/us/trump-administration-phone-records-times-reporters.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"78t3a\">The Justice Department, now under President Joe Biden, sent a letter to the Times saying that in 2020 it had obtained phone logs spanning nearly four months of 2017 for multiple Times reporters — Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eric Lichtblau and Michael S. Schmidt — as part of a leak investigation. While the letter didn’t specify the subject of the investigation, according to the Times the four reporters were <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/us/politics/james-comey-election.html\">covering</a> then-FBI Director James Comey’s handling of investigations into the 2016 election, and had published classified information.</p><p data-block-key=\"d0lek\">Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet told the newspaper in a statement: “President Biden has said this sort of interference with a free press will not be tolerated in his administration. We expect the Department of Justice to explain why this action was taken and what steps are being taken to make certain it does not happen again in the future.”</p><p data-block-key=\"snte9\">Goldman’s phone records also were seized in 2013 while he was reporting for The Associated Press, which helped <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/us/trump-administration-phone-records-times-reporters.html\">spur reforms to the department’s policies</a> on obtaining journalists’ records. Goldman didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I don’t care who is president - Republican or Democrat - I will always try to inform the public.</p>— Adam Goldman (@adamgoldmanNYT) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/adamgoldmanNYT/status/1400250593936134149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 3, 2021</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"oxhiy\">“I don’t care who is president—Republican or Democrat—I will always try to inform the public,” Goldman <a href=\"https://twitter.com/adamgoldmanNYT/status/1400250593936134149\">wrote</a> in a June 2 tweet.</p><p data-block-key=\"94yoc\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/politics/trump-secretly-obtained-cnn-reporter-records/index.html\">reported</a> that DOJ regulations for issuing media subpoenas were changed under the Obama administration in 2015 to require that the attorney general authorize any such legal orders related to journalists’ communications or work products. While the regulations mandated that the journalist and outlet be notified of the seizures, the policy set no clear timetable for notification.</p><p data-block-key=\"3wc0b\">The revelation about the Times reporters’ phone records was the latest in a series of recent disclosures about the Trump administration’s efforts to use the seizure of journalists’ communications to identify leakers or critics of the administration. On June 4, a gag order was lifted, allowing Times attorney Dave McCraw to reveal that the DOJ also had <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/justice-department-attempts-to-seize-email-records-of-four-new-york-times-reporters/\">attempted to obtain the four reporters’ email records</a> in an effort that began in January 2021 and continued under the Biden administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"owsnp\">On May 21, President Joe Biden condemned such seizures as “simply, simply wrong,” the AP <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-27a0ab87662217be1989a2d5a7465610\">reported</a>. In keeping with Biden’s sentiments, the DOJ announced on June 5 that it would no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations, <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-government-and-politics-67ac2f4f96b2dfd7f47446662e59ec6e\">according to the AP</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"nnfpf\">“This announcement is a potential sea change for press freedom rights in the United States,” Trevor Timm, executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, <a href=\"https://freedom.press/news/in-a-sea-change-for-press-freedom-biden-justice-department-vows-not-to-spy-on-reporters-doing-their-job/\">said in a statement</a>. “While we’re encouraged to see this announcement ending this invasive and disturbing tactic, the devil is—of course—in the details. The Justice Department must now write this categorical bar of journalist surveillance into its official ‘media guidelines,’ and Congress should also immediately enshrine the rules into law to ensure no administration can abuse its power again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ldns8\">FPF is a founding partner of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and manages its day-to-day operations.</p><p data-block-key=\"nklvj\">When reached for comment concerning the newspaper’s push for an explanation from the Justice Department, Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha confirmed to the Tracker that publisher A.G. Sulzberger would be meeting with the attorney general and shared a statement from him ahead of that meeting.</p><p data-block-key=\"57o20\">“We’re pleased that Attorney General [Merrick] Garland has agreed to this meeting. We hope to use the meeting to learn more about how this seizure of records happened and to seek a commitment that the Department of Justice will no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations,” Sulzberger said.</p><p data-block-key=\"ym9kh\">Garland met with executives from The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN on June 14, and <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/us/politics/leak-investigations-justice-department.html\">affirmed</a> the planned policy changes. While Garland’s comments during the meeting were off the record, The Times reported that Sulzberger was encouraged by Garland’s statements but said he would continue to push the department until the outlets’ concerns are fully addressed.</p></div>",
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"categories": [
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"Matt Apuzzo (The New York Times)",
"Adam Goldman (The New York Times)",
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"Michael S. Schmidt (The New York Times)"
],
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{
"title": "Trump Justice Department secretly obtained CNN Pentagon reporter’s email, phone records",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-cnn-pentagon-reporters-email-phone-records/",
"first_published_at": "2021-06-16T13:43:27.367253Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:47:37.752546Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:47:37.672102Z",
"date": "2020-01-01",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"eb2h4\">The U.S. Department of Justice informed CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr on May 13, 2021, that under the Trump administration, the agency secretly obtained her work and personal phone and email records, CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/politics/trump-secretly-obtained-cnn-reporter-records/index.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"59n7k\">According to CNN, prosecutors obtained Starr’s records from June 1 to July 31, 2017, including records from her phone extension at the Pentagon, the CNN Pentagon booth phone, Starr’s home and work numbers, and both her work and personal email accounts.</p><p data-block-key=\"anqc1\">The phone information obtained included “toll records” for each number, which detail the numbers of calls to and from the line and the duration of each. Similarly, prosecutors obtained “non-content information” for Starr’s email addresses: the recipient, sender and timestamp of each email but not the contents, the outlet reported. CNN said the records were obtained without notifying Starr or her employer.</p><p data-block-key=\"qfg9w\">It is unclear what investigators were looking for, CNN reported, as well as when the investigation was opened and whether it was by Attorney General Jeff Sessions or Attorney General William Barr, both appointed by former President Trump. Neither Starr nor CNN responded to requests for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"nm37n\">Anthony Coley, DOJ’s director of public affairs and a senior advisor to Attorney General Merrick Garland, said in a statement to CNN that the decision to subpoena Starr’s communications was approved by the Trump administration in 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"2qs4a\">“Department leadership will soon meet with reporters to hear their concerns about recent notices and further convey Attorney General Garland’s staunch support of and commitment to a free and independent press,” Coley said.</p><p data-block-key=\"pkbf6\">“CNN strongly condemns the secret collection of any aspect of a journalist’s correspondence, which is clearly protected by the First Amendment,” said CNN President Jeff Zucker in a statement to the outlet. “We are asking for an immediate meeting with the Justice Department for an explanation.”</p><p data-block-key=\"qo32j\">The revelation about Starr’s records was one in a series of recent disclosures about the Trump administration’s efforts to use the seizure of journalists’ communications to identify leakers or critics of the administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"etwjc\">CNN reported that DOJ regulations for issuing media subpoenas were changed under the Obama administration in 2015, to require that the attorney general authorize any such legal orders related to journalists’ communications or work product. While the regulations mandated that the journalist and outlet be notified of the seizures, the policy set no clear timetable for notification.</p><p data-block-key=\"h9wx6\">On May 21, 2021, President Joe Biden condemned such seizures as “simply, simply wrong” following the revelations about Starr’s records, The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-27a0ab87662217be1989a2d5a7465610\">reported</a>. In keeping with Biden’s sentiments, the DOJ announced on June 5 that it will no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations, <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-government-and-politics-67ac2f4f96b2dfd7f47446662e59ec6e\">according to the AP</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"frzto\">“This announcement is a potential sea change for press freedom rights in the United States,” Trevor Timm, executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, <a href=\"https://freedom.press/news/in-a-sea-change-for-press-freedom-biden-justice-department-vows-not-to-spy-on-reporters-doing-their-job/\">said in a statement</a>. “While we’re encouraged to see this announcement ending this invasive and disturbing tactic, the devil is — of course — in the details. The Justice Department must now write this categorical bar of journalist surveillance into its official ‘media guidelines,’ and Congress should also immediately enshrine the rules into law to ensure no administration can abuse its power again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"zt0jr\">Attorney General Merrick Garland met with executives from CNN as well as those from The New York Times and The Washington Post on June 14, and <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/us/politics/leak-investigations-justice-department.html\">affirmed</a> the planned policy changes.</p></div>",
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"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": "Unknown",
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"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
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"name": "District of Columbia",
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{
"title": "Trump DOJ obtained 2017 phone records of 3 Washington Post reporters",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-doj-seized-2017-phone-records-of-three-washington-post-reporters/",
"first_published_at": "2021-06-08T21:08:48.142452Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-03-25T22:33:38.499508Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-03-25T22:33:38.228064Z",
"date": "2020-01-01",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f598k\">The U.S. Department of Justice on May 3, 2021, notified Washington Post reporters Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous, that it had obtained their phone records from 2017 over reporting on the Trump administration's communications with Russia during the 2016 election, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-justice-dept-seized-post-reporters-phone-records/2021/05/07/933cdfc6-af5b-11eb-b476-c3b287e52a01_story.html\">the Post reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"3clrc\">The Justice Department wrote in three separate letters that they obtained the reporters' phone records from April 15, 2017 to July 31, 2017, the Post reported. The article said the letters don’t state the purpose of this seizure, but noted that “toward the end of the time period mentioned in the letters, those reporters wrote<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-discussed-trump-campaign-related-matters-with-russian-ambassador-us-intelligence-intercepts-show/2017/07/21/3e704692-6e44-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_18\"> a story about classified U.S. intelligence intercepts</a> indicating that in 2016, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) had discussed the Trump campaign with Sergey Kislyak, who was Russia’s ambassador to the United States.”</p><p data-block-key=\"07u3w\">The letters received at the Post were signed by Channing D. Phillips, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and John C. Demers, the head of the Justice Department’s national security division, the paper reported. Records from five phones had been seized. These were Nakashima’s work, cell and home phones; Miller’s work and cellphones; and Entous’ cellphone.</p><p data-block-key=\"uy5eq\">"We are deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalists,” the Post’s acting executive editor, Cameron Barr, said in the article. “The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment."</p><p data-block-key=\"ecj7b\">A Justice Department spokesman told the Post that the decision to obtain those records came in 2020, during the Trump Administration. A specific date or the name of the telecom company in possession of the records was not disclosed. The letters, according to the article, also indicated a court order to take “non content communication records” for the reporters’ work email accounts, but the Justice Department didn’t do so. The Post said the timeline of the leak investigation was unclear, but the Justice Department is typically required to tell the news organization that it took action to obtain media records, which explains the notification of the reporters.</p><p data-block-key=\"mf8xr\">The Department of Justice, The Washington Post and the reporters didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p></div>",
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{
"title": "Former Fox News reporter subpoenaed in defamation lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/former-fox-news-reporter-subpoenaed-in-defamation-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2021-04-15T17:22:48.060847Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-28T20:02:01.678446Z",
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"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"eycq0\">In the early hours of July 10, 2016, Seth Rich, a 27-year-old staffer with the Democratic National Committee, was <a href=\"https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-shot-killed-in-northwest-dc/2074048/\">fatally shot</a> while walking to his home in Washington, D.C. His death, while unsolved, is believed to be the result of a <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2019/08/08/749392506/conspiracyland-debunks-theories-about-murder-of-dnc-staffer-seth-rich\">robbery gone wrong</a>. It quickly, however, became a <a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-43727858\">flash point</a> for conspiracy theories: that Rich had been behind a DNC email dump to WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, and that he’d effectively been assassinated because of it. None of the claims have ever been substantiated.</p><p data-block-key=\"h612b\">On March 26, 2018, Rich’s brother, Aaron, <a href=\"https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/27/media/seth-rich-brother-sues-washington-times/index.html\">filed a defamation suit</a> in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against a slew of defendants — Texas businessman and then-frequent Fox News guest Ed Butowsky, the Washington Times, America First Media Group and its founder, Matt Couch — who he’d alleged had shown a “reckless disregard for the truth” and falsely linked both himself and his brother to the email leak.</p><p data-block-key=\"m6rzx\">During the course of three years of litigation, attorneys for both sides collectively subpoenaed nearly a dozen news outlets and members of the press. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documents all subpoena requests individually; Find a complete overview of the known subpoenas for this case in the blog post, “<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-a-dozen-journalists-outlets-and-third-parties-subpoenaed-in-defamation-suit/\">Nearly a dozen journalists, outlets and third parties subpoenaed in defamation suit</a>.”</p><p data-block-key=\"mtvlv\">In January 2021, both <a href=\"https://thedcpatriot.com/statement-from-matt-couch/\">Couch</a> and <a href=\"https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-never-had-physical-proof-to-back-up-any-such-statements-former-fox-news-guest-apologizes-to-seth-richs-brother-for-dnc-conspiracy-theory/\">Butowsky</a> publicly apologized and retracted prior claims made about the Rich brothers, though Butowsky deleted his statement of contrition almost immediately, according to Law & Crime. Couch and Rich reached a settlement agreement on Jan. 19; Butowsky and Rich reached an agreement on March 22. The lawsuit was terminated officially when District Judge Richard Leon granted Rich’s motions to dismiss the charges against the defendants on March 29. The details of the settlement agreements were not made public.</p><h4 data-block-key=\"c6ixs\">Adam Housley | Former Fox News reporter</h4><p data-block-key=\"lh2ma\">In May 2017, Housley was involved in publishing an article with Malia Zimmerman that alleged Seth Rich's connection to stealing and sharing DNC emails with WikiLeaks. Fox News retracted the article a week later. Zimmerman was also <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fox-news-journalist-subpoenaed-testimony-defamation-lawsuit/\">subpoenaed</a> in January 2020.</p><ul><li data-block-key=\"cq7vr\"><b>January 2020:</b> Rich serves Housley with a subpoena sometime around Jan. 7, the date he serves a <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fox-news-journalist-subpoenaed-testimony-defamation-lawsuit/\">similar subpoena</a> to Zimmerman. Fox and Zimmerman quickly move for a protective order barring Zimmerman’s deposition on the basis of reporter’s privilege, and the depositions of both Fox reporters are placed on hold until District Judge Richard Leon reaches a ruling on the motion.</li><li data-block-key=\"oivds\"><b>March 25, 2020:</b> Leon denies Fox and Zimmerman’s motion for a protective order.</li><li data-block-key=\"uyq8s\"><b>April 23, 2020:</b> Leon orders that, given his March 25 ruling, the depositions of both Housley and Zimmerman may proceed.</li></ul><p data-block-key=\"kj6bq\"><b>Status of Subpoena</b></p><ul><li data-block-key=\"g22eh\">With the case closed, any outstanding subpoenas would become moot. Housley did not respond to the Tracker’s request for comment via Twitter direct message, and it is unclear from the court filings alone whether his deposition was completed. Therefore, the Tracker is listing the status of the subpoena as “unknown” until further information is available.</li></ul></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "other testimony",
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"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Adam Housley (Fox News)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"unknown"
],
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},
{
"title": "Wife of Georgia county commissioner dumps drink on reporter’s head, soaking her and her equipment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/wife-of-georgia-county-commissioner-dumps-drink-on-reporters-head-soaking-her-and-her-equipment/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-20T17:08:25.838234Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-27T21:26:58.448084Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-10-27T21:26:58.323267Z",
"date": "2019-12-13",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chattooga County",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"scxhg\">AllOnGeorgia reporter Casie Bryant was set up to report on a county budget meeting in Chattooga County in the state’s northwest corner on Dec. 13, 2019, when the county commissioner’s wife dumped a soda on her.</p><p data-block-key=\"4xsmh\">According to a Summerville police incident report <a href=\"https://allongeorgia.com/chattooga-local-government/video-commissioners-wife-facing-charges-for-assault-on-allongeorgia-reporter/\">published by AllOnGeorgia</a>, Bryant was sitting at the conference table when Abbey Winters, wife of Sole Commissioner Jason Winters, poured a drink over her head, soaking her hair, clothes, belongings and equipment. In photos of the incident <a href=\"https://www.thesummervillenews.com/2019/12/13/police-called-to-commissioners-office/\">published</a> by The Summerville News, it appears that Bryant’s tablet was covered in the beverage.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The wife of Chattooga County's sole commissioner poured a soda on a reporter's head this morning. The Summerville PD is charging Abbey Winters with simple battery and disorderly conduct. The reporter is Casie Bryant of All On Georgia. Photos courtesy of the Summerville News <a href=\"https://t.co/V3pz6UbWY8\">pic.twitter.com/V3pz6UbWY8</a></p>— Patrick Filbin (@PatrickFilbin) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PatrickFilbin/status/1205612195142344711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"buyt6\">The incident was witnessed by representatives from the local newspaper and radio station, as well as four others. Several of these witnesses told police that the attack appeared to be completely unprovoked and that they heard Abbey Winters say twice after dumping the drink that Bryant “deserved” it.</p><p data-block-key=\"hdrf9\">In a <a href=\"https://youtu.be/bNrRebVNe-M\">video of the incident</a> taken by Bryant and posted on AllOnGeorgia’s YouTube channel, Jason Winters is seen and heard saying, “Every bit of this has been brought on,” while pointing toward Bryant.</p><p data-block-key=\"s79vt\">According to the incident report, neither of the Winters’ spoke with police at the scene, but after seeking legal counsel Abbey Winters told police that she had tripped and spilled the drink accidentally.</p><p data-block-key=\"i7blu\">AllOnGeorgia reported that following an investigation, police applied for warrants on Abbey Winters for simple battery and disorderly conduct, turning the matter over to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.</p><p data-block-key=\"0vzmq\">“What happened at the budget meeting today was completely inappropriate and I’m disappointed to see not only the behavior of those involved, but the excuses made for the behavior after the fact,” AllOnGeorgia owner Delvis Dutton said in the outlet’s report of the incident. “The media plays an integral role in ensuring transparency and these types of antics are dangerous to open government and a disservice to the people it serves.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cr9jw\">The Chattanooga Times Free Press <a href=\"https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2019/dec/16/could-facebook-post-have-spurred-chattoogcoun/510730/\">reported</a> that Winters turned herself in at the Chattooga County Jail that afternoon and was released on a $1,520 bond on both counts.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/bryant_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"m3uxl\">Reporter Casie Bryant sits drenched in liquid after a drink was poured on her head at a Chattooga County, Georgia, budget meeting. The wife of the county commissioner has been charged with simple battery and disorderly conduct for the dousing.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": "private individual",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
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"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
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"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "computer"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Georgia",
"abbreviation": "GA"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-07-10 13:59:00+00:00) Case against commissioner’s wife who doused reporter is closed"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Casie Bryant (AllOnGeorgia)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Subpoena issued for journalist’s Twitter communication",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/subpoena-issued-twitter-communication-journalist-others/",
"first_published_at": "2020-02-10T16:43:52.073358Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-04-15T18:48:08.686485Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-04-15T18:48:08.589616Z",
"date": "2019-12-12",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Charlottesville",
"longitude": -78.47668,
"latitude": 38.02931,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"f5bw2\">As part of an ongoing defamation lawsuit, an attorney representing public relations and communications strategist Trevor FitzGibbon subpoenaed Twitter to compel the social media company to produce information on nearly two dozen accounts, at least one of which belongs to a journalist.</p><p data-block-key=\"mlvjl\">Filed in Virginia on Dec. 12, 2019, the subpoena requested all direct messages, private messages and group messages between the defendant — high-profile attorney Jesselyn Radack — and 22 Twitter accounts, among other things.</p><p data-block-key=\"ec8vx\">The Twitter account of freelance reporter Charles Davis is among those identified in the subpoena. After receiving an email from Twitter notifying him that his account was implicated, Davis <a href=\"https://twitter.com/charliearchy/status/1220880468695908352\">tweeted</a> that he was named in retaliation for <a href=\"https://medium.com/@charlesdavis/trevor-fitzgibbon-used-to-run-a-major-progressive-public-relations-firm-representing-clients-from-25e93256217f\">his reporting</a> on FitzGibbon in 2017. Davis shared a copy of the subpoena with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and said that he sent a statement to Twitter noting that he objected to the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"i26gr\">“It is legal harassment,” Davis said. “And while Twitter seems committed to defending its users, it also makes me think it might be time to switch to encrypted messaging apps like Signal for any conversation, sensitive or not.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3lg9k\">Other accounts named in the subpoena include those of numerous satirists, activists and lawyers as well as Andrew Stepanian of Sparrow Media. Stepanian told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he does not identify as a journalist. A blogger who did not respond to the Tracker’s requests for comment was also named.</p><p data-block-key=\"g69bp\">Twitter filed <a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QM3QgyGMAB1rkOKv5fDdLBknWoQYZW5N/view\">a memorandum in support</a> of quashing the subpoena on Feb. 4, 2020, stating, “The Subpoena suffers from a litany of substantive defects and must be quashed.”</p><p data-block-key=\"hdlft\">In reference to the request for direct communications, Twitter argued FitzGibbon’s lawyer Steven Biss both sought irrelevant information or information that should be obtained from Radack, and placed an undue burden on the company.</p><p data-block-key=\"uctuh\">In its memorandum, Twitter mentions that its counsel met with Biss twice, raising issues with the subpoena and requesting that he withdraw it. According to Twitter, Biss refused. In an email exchange following the second meeting, FitzGibbon’s counsel again refused to withdraw the subpoena, but narrowed the request to Radack’s communications with 17 accounts.</p><p data-block-key=\"cr3fx\">It is unclear whether reporter Davis’ Twitter account is still listed in the revised subpoena. Biss did not return the Tracker’s request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"a6nnu\">FitzGibbon’s underlying case against Radack is scheduled to go to trial on July 13, and all evidence must be finalized by June 29, including information gained from discovery subpoenas.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/FitzGibbon.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"bamn7\">A portion of the subpoena seeking, among other things, private Twitter messages between nearly two dozen accounts.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
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"assailant": null,
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": "Twitter",
"third_party_business": "tech company",
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Virginia",
"abbreviation": "VA"
},
"updates": [
"(2020-06-18 00:00:00+00:00) Subpoena to Twitter seeking journalist’s records dropped"
],
"case_statuses": [],
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"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Charles Davis (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"pending"
],
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},
{
"title": "Using obscure legal justification, NYPD subpoenas reporter's records",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/using-obscure-legal-justification-nypd-subpoenas-reporter/",
"first_published_at": "2020-02-24T20:25:41.440118Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-04-15T14:50:49.683916Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-04-15T14:50:49.570527Z",
"date": "2019-12-09",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"svlfx\">The New York Police Department subpoenaed Twitter for the account information of a New York Post journalist on Dec. 9, 2019, as part of a departmental leak investigation.</p><p data-block-key=\"b8od4\">The Post <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2020/02/13/nypd-tried-to-subpoena-ny-post-reporters-twitter-account-citing-anti-terror-law/\">reported</a> that its police bureau chief Tina Moore tweeted out crime scene photos in mid-October that “appear to be at the center of the NYPD subpoena.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f8eq7\">The subpoena, <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6776056-NYPD-Twitter-subpoena.html\">published by the Post</a>, commands Twitter to produce all device and contact information for Moore’s Twitter account, as well as her handle’s IP and internet connection history from Oct. 9 through Oct. 14.</p><p data-block-key=\"bm8zm\">Adam Scott Wandt, an assistant professor at John Jay College who specializes in digital forensics and cybersecurity, told the Post the subpoena appears to focus not on Moore’s communications but “where she is and what equipment was used.”</p><p data-block-key=\"y01pp\">Wandt said the information requested could be used to create a “network trail,” geo-locating Moore’s movements over the requested days.</p><p data-block-key=\"eyy4c\">The subpoena claims legal authority under the city’s administrative code and the Patriot Act — a federal law passed following 9/11 which expanded law enforcement authorities. The provision of the act cited pertains to the digital transfer of information and metadata, which the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press <a href=\"https://www.rcfp.org/nypd-patriot-act-subpoena\">noted</a> is one of the most obscure sections.</p><p data-block-key=\"ac5cc\">NYPD spokesperson Sgt. Jessica McRorie confirmed to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the department has an open investigation into the source of the leaked photos.</p><p data-block-key=\"5rrez\">“Tina Moore was never the focus of our investigation,” McRorie said in a statement. McRorie declined to answer further questions on the focus of the subpoena and why the Patriot Act was cited.</p><p data-block-key=\"xguir\">Courtney Radsch, advocacy director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement, “Using the Patriot Act to subpoena a journalist’s social media data is not only a gross overstep by the New York Police Department, it is reminiscent of how countries without democratic safeguards use anti-terrorism laws to dampen or retaliate against critical journalism.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8xaig\">In early February 2020, Twitter notified Moore of the subpoena. The social media company confirmed to the Tracker that it did not comply with the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"lkil5\">The NYPD withdrew the request on Feb. 13, after attorneys for the Post contacted the department, the Post reported.</p><p data-block-key=\"p6kbz\">Moore declined to comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"jw82a\">In a <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/14/nyregion/patriot-act-subpoena-nypd.html\">statement to The New York Times</a>, Post spokeswoman Iva Benson said the police department’s actions were “antithetical to a free press.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4907l\">“The Patriot Act was passed to make it easier to prevent deadly terror attacks, not help the government crack down on people who speak to reporters,” Benson said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2q2sd\">New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio <a href=\"https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2020/02/18/mondays-with-the-mayor-bill-de-blasio-trump-sanctuary-cities-slams-deployment-of-border-patrol\">said on NY1</a> show “Inside City Hall” that the subpoena was a mistake.</p><p data-block-key=\"cmtc3\">“I think the effort to ensure that information that is not public is kept confidential — that’s fair. But subpoenaing a reporter in that fashion? I’m not comfortable with that. Freedom of the press really matters,” de Blasio said.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"2372y\">A portion of the subpoena for New York Post reporter Tina Moore's Twitter information</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": "Twitter",
"third_party_business": "tech company",
"legal_order_venue": "State",
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"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
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"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [
"New York Post"
],
"tags": [],
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
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},
{
"title": "TV stations in Washington state, Montana hit with cyberattack",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tv-stations-in-washington-state-montana-hit-with-cyberattack/",
"first_published_at": "2025-03-07T22:17:11.972602Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-07T22:17:11.972602Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-07T22:17:11.781195Z",
"date": "2019-12-08",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Multiple",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hugp2\">At least 10 TV stations in Washington state and Montana belonging to Cowles Co. were affected by a Dec. 8, 2019, cyberattack on the software running their news broadcasts.</p><p data-block-key=\"4ac8q\">Patricia McRae, then president of Cowles-owned station groups KHQ, Inc., and Cowles Montana Media, <a href=\"https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/several-montana-tv-stations-hit-by-cyberattack\">told KRTV</a> that the attack — which affected seven stations in Montana and three in Washington state — damaged systems and software used by the stations to prepare local newscasts, impacting video feedback, graphics and weather systems.</p><p data-block-key=\"ach6a\">The Spokesman-Review <a href=\"https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/dec/10/khq-tv-part-of-cyber-attack-that-hit-news-stations/\">reported</a> that, to continue broadcasting, journalists were resorting to paper scripts, filing stories through private social media accounts and using fewer on-screen graphics and videos.</p><p data-block-key=\"c3rfr\">KHQ reported the attack to the FBI, McRae told the Spokesman-Review. She declined to tell the newspaper whether an attacker had issued demands connected to the attack.</p><p data-block-key=\"27i66\">KHQ-TV Station Manager Jason Ramsey told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker via email in February 2025, “Since the incident we have strengthened our security measures and continue to conduct internal training to prepare for potential future issues.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8mfvm\">Stacey Cowles, president of the print media division of Cowles, told the Tracker via email that it took months for the 10 stations affected “to rebuild and regain full functionality” after the attack.</p><p data-block-key=\"bddf\">“I don’t recall the perpetrator, except they were identified as likely Bulgarian,” he wrote. “We believe the malware was introduced through a server port left unsecure for vendor use.”</p><p data-block-key=\"25o05\">He also said that the company experienced a second cyberattack in April 2023, but that in neither case did the attacker indicate it knew the target was a media business.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/KTVQ_screenshot.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"0dr8z\">At least 10 TV stations in Washington and Montana were affected by a Dec. 8, 2019, cyberattack on the software running their news broadcasts.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
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"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": null,
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Cowles Co."
],
"tags": [
"cyberattack"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Man arrested after assaulting reporter during live broadcast",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/man-arrested-after-assaulting-reporter-during-live-broadcast/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-17T16:29:07.725816Z",
"last_published_at": "2020-09-08T17:59:29.501666Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2020-09-08T17:59:29.403067Z",
"date": "2019-12-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Savannah",
"longitude": -81.09983,
"latitude": 32.08354,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p>While reporting live from a race in Savannah, Georgia, broadcast reporter Alex Bozarjian was assaulted on Dec. 7, 2019.</p><p>NBC-affiliate WSAV published a <a href=\"https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/wsavs-alex-bozarjian-addresses-bridge-run-incident/\">clip of the incident</a>, which shows Bozarjian reporting during the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run when a man forcefully hits her bottom as he runs past.</p><p>Bozarjian looks shocked and stares off towards the man before regaining her composure and resuming her broadcast. Bozarjian responded to the incident in a tweet later that day, saying that the man “violated, objectified, and embarrassed” her.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better. <a href=\"https://t.co/PRLXkBY5hn\">https://t.co/PRLXkBY5hn</a></p>— Alex Bozarjian (@wsavalexb) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wsavalexb/status/1203372986948112391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 7, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p>The Savannah Sports Council — which owns and operates the bridge run — identified the man as Thomas Callaway and provided his information to WSAV. The Council also said that Callaway has banned him from registering for any of its future races.</p><p>Following the incident, the station issued a <a href=\"https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/wsavs-alex-bozarjian-addresses-bridge-run-incident/\">statement</a> and posted a video of Callaway’s apology.</p><p>“The conduct displayed toward Alex Bozarjian during her live coverage of Saturday’s Savannah Bridge Run was reprehensible and completely unacceptable,” the statement said. “No one should ever be disrespected in this manner. The safety and protection of our employees is WSAV’s highest priority.”</p><p>WSAV reported that Bozarjian <a href=\"https://www.wsav.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/75/2019/12/Bridge-Run-incident-report.pdf\">filed a sexual battery report</a> with the Savannah Police Department on Dec. 9. In an appearance on “CBS This Morning” the following day, Bozarjian said that the man slapped her hard enough not only to startle her but physically hurt her.</p><p>“He took my power, and I'm trying to take that back,” Bozarjian said. “I think what it really comes down to is that he helped himself to a part of my body.”</p><p>Callaway was arrested on Dec. 13 on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery, The Guardian <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/man-slapped-female-reporter-bottom-live-tv-arrested\">reported</a>. State law <a href=\"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-16/chapter-6/16-6-22-1/\">defines the crime</a> as “intentionally mak[ing] physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person.” The misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail.</p><p>A statement posted on Bozarjian’s Twitter account from high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing Bozarjian, says the reporter will not comment on the incident further in case there is a trial.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://t.co/2kcCAKi5Oj\">pic.twitter.com/2kcCAKi5Oj</a></p>— Alex Bozarjian (@wsavalexb) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wsavalexb/status/1205897903782412288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 14, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Bozarjian_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p>Reporter Alex Bozarjian pauses her on-air broadcast after being hit and grabbed on her backside. A man was later arrested on sexual battery charges.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
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"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Georgia",
"abbreviation": "GA"
},
"updates": [
"(2020-09-01 13:58:00+00:00) Georgia man pleads guilty to sexual battery after assaulting journalist during live broadcast"
],
"case_statuses": null,
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"sexual assault"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Alex Bozarjian (WSAV-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Police officer charged with leaking information to Florida newspaper",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/police-officer-charged-with-leaking-information-to-florida-newspaper/",
"first_published_at": "2022-06-08T19:03:46.762284Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-01-18T18:40:25.857774Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-01-18T18:40:25.772324Z",
"date": "2019-12-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Sunrise",
"longitude": -80.1131,
"latitude": 26.13397,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"df0ru\">Roger Krege, a sergeant with the Sunrise Police Department, was arrested on multiple charges on Dec. 6, 2019, stemming from his alleged leak of sensitive information to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.</p><p data-block-key=\"8i788\"><a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/sunrise/fl-ne-sunrise-police-ia-roger-krege-20191030-r7uv4xkqjrfi5d7ku5hw23yw6y-story.html\">According to the Sun-Sentinel</a>, law enforcement executed search warrants against Krege in August on the suspicion that in 2014 he provided the newspaper with a list of confidential informants used in dozens of drug cases, among other things.</p><p data-block-key=\"6arid\">In September 2014, the Sun-Sentinel published <a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/interactive/sfl-cops-cash-cocaine-htmlstory.html\">an investigation</a> into police’s use of informants to lure “big-money” drug buyers into the city from across the country in order for officers to seize their money and vehicles once they were arrested. The report did not disclose the names of any informants, but did demonstrate that the newspaper knew the location of the department’s “Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics” unit, prompting the SPD to relocate the office.</p><p data-block-key=\"8uvmc\">Lt. Brian Katz <a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/sunrise/fl-ne-sunrise-police-ia-roger-krege-20191030-r7uv4xkqjrfi5d7ku5hw23yw6y-story.html\">told the Sun-Sentinel</a> that this leak was particularly egregious because it jeopardized the safety of all involved.</p><p data-block-key=\"bodr3\">“The exposure and illegal copying of the [list] put every confidential informant in grave danger and threatened the personal safety of every detective working in the Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics unit and working with the confidential informants,” Katz wrote in a statement to the outlet.</p><p data-block-key=\"2j15j\">Krege was placed on unpaid administrative leave on Sept. 12, 2019, and charged on Dec. 6 with 10 counts, including disclosing confidential information, unlawful copying of an article containing trade secrets, theft and multiple counts of official misconduct, according to the <a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/sunrise/fl-ne-sunrise-racketeering-arrest-20191207-ipgfdkzh3rfgdl6kwtjemf32xu-story.html\">Sun-Sentinel</a> and <a href=\"https://www.local10.com/news/local/2019/12/07/sunrise-police-sergeant-arrested-on-multiple-charges-officials-say/\">WPLG Local 10 News</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"d9hsg\">According to the Sun-Sentinel, the department’s press release about the arrest did not mention the newspaper, but did state that Krege is accused of obtaining and trading information on confidential informants using two email accounts.</p><p data-block-key=\"6kbi6\">Under Florida law, both “disclosure or use of confidential criminal justice information” and “theft of or trafficking in trade secrets” are third-degree felonies, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. If convicted on all charges, Krege would face a maximum prison sentence of more than 50 years.</p><p data-block-key=\"bh48\">On March 3, 2021, prosecutors <a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/crime/fl-ne-roger-krege-no-prosecution-20210304-ewceigwmvzacrlm6z6acf5mxoa-story.html\">confirmed to the Sun-Sentinel</a> that Krege agreed to plead no contest to a single charge of making a false official statement and six months’ probation in exchange for the other charges being dropped. As part of the deal, the charges will not show up as a conviction on Krege’s criminal record and allows him to keep his pension.</p><p data-block-key=\"e8boe\">The 2018 police investigation into the media leak determined that Krege disclosed the identity of a confidential informant to his then-wife, Elizabeth Krege, in order for her to provide the information to a reporter, the Sun-Sentinel <a href=\"https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/sunrise/fl-ne-krege-arrest-paperwork-20191226-auxcyxbpobcspptxbxm4gemxsa-story.html\">reported</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Roger-Krege-Mugshot.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"x8x5f\">Sunrise Police Department Sgt. Roger Krege was arrested on multiple charges on Dec. 6, 2019, stemming from his alleged leak of sensitive information to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in 2014.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
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"denial_of_entry": false,
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
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"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Florida",
"abbreviation": "FL"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [
"South Florida Sun-Sentinel"
],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Leak Case"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Restauranteur steals reporter’s cellphones during interview",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/restauranteur-steals-reporters-cellphones-during-interview/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-19T15:02:07.930585Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-11-02T19:08:19.086834Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-11-02T19:08:18.942973Z",
"date": "2019-12-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Phoenix",
"longitude": -112.07404,
"latitude": 33.44838,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"dclc9\">An Arizona Republic reporter had two cellphones stolen by a restaurant operator during an interview on Dec. 5, 2019.</p><p data-block-key=\"ei8tn\">Food and dining reporter Priscilla Totiyapungprasert had arranged to interview Tawny Costa, the operator of a new Italian restaurant in Phoenix. Costa had agreed to the interview being recorded, the Republic <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/12/06/republic-reporters-cellphones-snatched-interview-tawny-costa/2627498001/\">reported</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9is26\">Totiyapungprasert’s personal and work phones were placed on the table during the interview, which ended abruptly when the reporter asked questions about Costa’s past businesses and her connection to Frank Capri, the father of Costa's two children. Capri, also a restauranteur, had multiple locations fail to open or abruptly close amid allegations of fraud and theft, according to the Republic.</p><p data-block-key=\"3vc2f\">In a statement to the police, Totiyapungprasert said Costa abruptly grabbed her phones, elbowing and pushing her when she attempted to grab them back, the Republic reported. Totiyapungprasert also told police that her knee was injured as she reached for her phones.</p><p data-block-key=\"t1nwl\">Costa left the restaurant with the phones and, as of publication, they have not been recovered. The incident remains under investigation by Phoenix police, the Republic reported.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ajzz\">“We’re thankful for Phoenix police’s response and their concern for Priscilla,” Republic Executive Editor Greg Burton said in <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/12/06/republic-reporters-cellphones-snatched-interview-tawny-costa/2627498001/\">the newspaper's report of the incident</a>. “A free press is a courageous press, and her actions are an inspiration.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ide5k\">Totiyapungprasert declined to comment to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Totiya.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"qq25b\">Police are investigating the theft of two phones from Arizona Republic reporter Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, which she says were stolen during an interview with a Phoenix restaurant operator.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": "public figure",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [
{
"quantity": 2,
"equipment": "cellphone"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Arizona",
"abbreviation": "AZ"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"robbery"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Priscilla Totiyapungprasert (Arizona Republic)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Indiana governor sends cease and desist letters to news outlets following investigative report",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/indiana-governor-sends-cease-and-desist-letters-news-outlets-following-investigative-report/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-10T19:34:04.204719Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-10-11T16:43:07.537810Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-10-11T16:43:07.424441Z",
"date": "2019-11-29",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Indianapolis",
"longitude": -86.15804,
"latitude": 39.76838,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kqwhf\">On Nov. 29, four days after Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting published a lengthy investigative piece into injuries at Amazon's warehouses, the general counsel for Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb sent the news organization a cease and desist letter demanding the story be retracted. The Indianapolis Star, which republished the Reveal investigation in <a href=\"https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2019/11/25/amazon-indiana-governor-eric-holcomb-warehouse-accident-hq-2/4282653002/\">two</a> <a href=\"https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2019/11/25/amazon-fulfillment-centers-worker-safety-investigation/4283245002/\">parts</a>, also received a cease and desist letter from the governor.</p><p data-block-key=\"2tgy8\">The Reveal <a href=\"https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-smiles/\">investigation</a> — which looked at injury records for 23 of Amazon's 110 fulfillment centers — alleges that Holcomb personally intervened in the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into the death of an Amazon worker who had been crushed by a forklift. Indiana was vying for Amazon's HQ2 at the time.</p><p data-block-key=\"g9bhz\">In his <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://ipbs.org/projects/assets/Holcomb-cease-desist-letters.pdf\">letter</a> to the Indianapolis Star, Joseph Heerens, general counsel for Gov. Holcomb, claims that the stories contain "serious inaccuracies and falsehoods."</p><p data-block-key=\"bdurl\">"These articles seek to unjustifiably and inexcusably harm the good name and reputation of Governor Holcomb,” Heerens wrote. “But more than that, if these serious inaccuracies and falsehoods are not immediately corrected, they represent a threat to the positive business climate that has been created in our State ... That should not be allowed to happen. You must cease and desist from publishing the articles as currently written and take immediate steps to retract them."</p><p data-block-key=\"orbeh\">In a separate cease and desist <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://ipbs.org/projects/assets/Holcomb-cease-desist-letters.pdf\">letter</a> to Reveal, Heerens goes into further detail about his objections to the story. The news outlets later included a <a href=\"https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2019/11/25/amazon-fulfillment-centers-worker-safety-investigation/4283245002/\">clarification</a> and update to one of those objections.</p><p data-block-key=\"s284u\">The Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists issued a strongly worded <a href=\"http://www.indyprospj.org/news/2019/12/3/an-open-letter-to-gov-holcomb-denouncing-the-use-of-cease-and-desist\">open letter</a> to Holcomb condemning his cease-and-desist letters, holding they represent a "threat to press freedom."</p><p data-block-key=\"ru95j\">Signed by the chapter’s board of directors, the open letter stated that Holcomb's order is "designed to intimidate reporters and journalists looking into your administration" as well as "add to the overall climate in the nation that looks to undermine the credibility of journalists and media outlets."</p><p data-block-key=\"zawfn\">"Although you might not agree with the contents or conclusions of the report in Reveal and the Indianapolis Star, an unusual call by your office for a cease-and-desist order against the media could chill efforts to report an ongoing story," the letter said. An email to Russell for additional comment was not returned as of press time.</p><p data-block-key=\"vadpc\">The national branch of the Society of Professional Journalists also weighed in with a tweet, calling the cease and desist letters an effort to intimidate and silence the outlets:</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We support <a href=\"https://twitter.com/IndyProSPJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@IndyProSPJ</a> in calling out Gov. Holcomb for trying to intimidate and silence <a href=\"https://twitter.com/indystar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@indystar</a> and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/reveal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@reveal</a> through cease-and-desist letters for their reporting of Amazon worker safety. <a href=\"https://t.co/isKGwSYuYD\">https://t.co/isKGwSYuYD</a></p>— Society of Professional Journalists (@spj_tweets) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/spj_tweets/status/1202267618960379904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 4, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-10_at_1.45.32.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"x0547\">A portion of one of two cease and desist letters sent from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb following the publication of an investigative report by Reveal from the Center of Investigative Reporting.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Indiana",
"abbreviation": "IN"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting",
"The Indianapolis Star"
],
"tags": [],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
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},
{
"title": "Broadcast reporter attacked, camera damaged while reporting in Florida",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/broadcast-reporter-attacked-camera-damaged-while-reporting-southwest-florida/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-05T21:38:11.105135Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-27T21:27:38.798376Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-10-27T21:27:38.650421Z",
"date": "2019-11-28",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "North Fort Myers",
"longitude": -81.88009,
"latitude": 26.66729,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vr0ff\">Delia D’Ambra, a broadcast reporter for NBC2 News in Southwest Florida, was assaulted and her camera damaged while working on a story alone in North Fort Myers on Nov. 28, 2019.</p><p data-block-key=\"5wk33\">D’Ambra was wrapping up her shoot when a man wearing work gloves approached her, <a href=\"https://www.nbc-2.com/story/41384829/nbc2-reporter-attacked-on-the-job-in-north-fort-myers\">NBC2 reported</a>. She hit the record button on her camera right as the man lunged for her.</p><p data-block-key=\"w399v\">“He comes and grabs everything, shakes me and pushes me back,” D’Ambra told NBC2. “And as we’re going down, he holds onto the viewfinder and pulls that down and breaks it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ekf64\">In the video posted by NBC2, D’Ambra can be heard screaming multiple times, “Leave me alone!” As the man walks away from her D’Ambra drags herself and the camera across the pavement, warning the man that she is calling the police.</p><p data-block-key=\"vj9ah\">“I knew immediately that I was alone, I needed to get away from this person,” D’Ambra said. “He went back to his car. I had no idea whether he was going to get a weapon, take the car and come get me. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ws3hq\">When deputies arrived at the scene, they arrested 79-year-old Hollis Creach.</p><p data-block-key=\"9kghn\">D’Ambra <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DeliaDAmbraTV/status/1200251811325775872\">tweeted</a> later that day that the experience was frightening and exhausting, but that she was feeling better. “God spared me great harm today & I’m grateful. I also forgive the man who attacked me & know God loves him too,” D’Ambra wrote.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today was a frightening & exhaustive day. Thankful for the loving messages & support from my family, husband ,coworkers & <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NBC2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NBC2</a> viewers. I’m happy to be feeling better. God spared me great harm today & I’m grateful. I also forgive the man who attacked me & know God loves him too.</p>— DeliaDAmbraTV (@DeliaDAmbraTV) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DeliaDAmbraTV/status/1200251811325775872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 29, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"qe0zd\">The incident will affect how she approaches reporting in the future, D’Ambra told NBC2.</p><p data-block-key=\"mwbm7\">“I will be extremely cautious with individuals approaching me, yelling at me, even more so now,” D’Ambra said.</p><p data-block-key=\"dn79a\">D’Ambra did not respond to request for comment by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"ep1t6\">Creach has been charged with battery, damaging property and criminal mischief, and made his first appearance in court on Nov. 29, according to NBC2.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"i3d3y\">A Florida man attacked broadcast reporter Delia D’Ambra, pushing her to the ground and damaging the camera.</p>",
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"assailant": "private individual",
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{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "camera"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Florida",
"abbreviation": "FL"
},
"updates": [
"(2021-10-26 11:07:00+00:00) Charges dropped against man who attacked Florida NBC2 reporter"
],
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"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
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"Delia D’Ambra (WBBH-TV)"
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},
{
"title": "Spokesman-Review subpoenaed in defamation lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/spokesman-review-subpoenaed-in-defamation-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2023-01-26T20:09:14.837152Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-02-13T15:50:24.076650Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-02-13T15:50:23.985076Z",
"date": "2019-11-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Spokane",
"longitude": -117.42908,
"latitude": 47.65966,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"r3vcd\">A Washington state Court of Appeals ruled on Jan. 10, 2023, that the <a href=\"https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jan/11/the-spokesman-review-protected-from-most-of-subpoe/\">state’s shield law protected The Spokesman-Review</a> and one of its editors from complying with subpoenas seeking testimony and documents as part of a defamation lawsuit. However, the 3-member panel upheld the lower court’s ruling that some information sought from the outlet and Executive Editor Rob Curley was not protected by reporter’s privilege.</p><p data-block-key=\"ql\">The decision stemmed from a 2019 lawsuit filed by a Spokane sheriff’s deputy who was found to be <a href=\"https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/dec/23/spokane-county-jury-awards-195-million-to-former-s/\">wrongfully terminated</a> after an internal investigation accused him of using a racial slur and harassment while on duty. The newspaper was <a href=\"https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/384446_pub.pdf\">first subpoenaed</a> on Nov. 25, 2019 for testimony and documents connected to an arrangement between the outlet and the Spokane sheriff’s office to delay coverage of the internal investigation until it was completed. In 2021, the sheriff testified in a deposition about the agreement, naming Executive Editor Curley. The Tracker documented <a href=\"/all-incidents/spokesman-review-editor-subpoenaed-for-information-about-agreement-with-spokane-sheriff/\">Curley’s May 2021 subpoena here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"a1qu2\">In June 2021, The Spokesman-Review filed a motion to quash the subpoenas and for a protective order to prevent any violation of the state’s shield law and the newspaper’s First Amendment rights. The trial court partially granted the protective order in September, limiting who would need to respond to the subpoenas while allowing the request for documents and deposition of Curley. The newspaper filed for an emergency stay, or suspension, of the motion, and the Appeals Court agreed to the review in November.</p><p data-block-key=\"3fe8b\">In their 2023 decision to <a href=\"https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/384446_pub.pdf\">uphold the lower court’s</a> partial granting and partial denial of the subpoenas, the three appellate judges wrote that state law protected the outlet and Curley from revealing privileged conversations and documents around any agreements. The court agreed, however, that the dates and times of any agreements made between Curley and the sheriff’s office were not protected by shield law. The ruling did not specify a date for providing information about the agreements.</p><p data-block-key=\"1qjob\">Spokesman-Review Attorney Casey Bruner told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker in an emailed statement that the newspaper was satisfied with the court’s ruling.</p><p data-block-key=\"675f0\">Bruner wrote that the decision protected and clarified the state shield law. “We believe the decision is beneficial not just to the Spokesman-Review but to all reporters in the state and is a step in the right direction for protecting the freedom of the press.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"86axi\">A portion of the subpoena issued to The Spokesman-Review on Nov. 25, 2019, seeking testimony and documents as part of a defamation lawsuit in Spokane, Washington.</p>",
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
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"legal_order_venue": "State",
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"state": {
"name": "Washington",
"abbreviation": "WA"
},
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"The Spokesman-Review"
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
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"quashed",
"upheld"
],
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},
{
"title": "Congressman Nunes alleges CNN, Daily Beast ‘committed crimes’ in reporting, says will sue",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/congressman-nunes-alleges-cnn-daily-beast-committed-crimes-in-reporting-says-will-sue/",
"first_published_at": "2019-11-27T17:17:20.024795Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-10-26T16:57:54.677113Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-10-26T16:57:54.605981Z",
"date": "2019-11-24",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"awp6g\">California Congressman Devin Nunes said that he plans to sue CNN and The Daily Beast for defamation during an interview on Fox News on Nov. 24, 2019.</p><p data-block-key=\"r9qu0\">Host <a href=\"http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/11/24/nunes_accuses_cnn_of_criminal_activity_for_reporting_he_met_with_ukrainian_prosecutor.html?jwsource=cl\">Maria Bartiromo asked</a> the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee whether he had met with former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Victor Shokin in Austria in 2018, as had been reported by CNN and Daily Beast over the weekend.</p><p data-block-key=\"nfurt\">Nunes did not answer the question, and instead dismissed the articles as “fake news” and alleged that it is “very likely” that the outlets committed crimes while reporting the story. He also said he intends to take the outlets to federal court after Thanksgiving, arguing that it’s the only way to hold the "corrupt" media accountable.</p><p data-block-key=\"wbm9j\">"So we hope that CNN and Daily Beast will cooperate with the court," Nunes said. "They should comply with the subpoenas once we file this and go through different depositions. It should be fun."</p><p data-block-key=\"f1wwq\">A spokesperson from Daily Beast <a href=\"https://thehill.com/homenews/house/471838-nunes-threatens-to-take-cnn-daily-beast-to-court\">told The Hill</a> that they “stand by our reporting and are happy to defend it.” The Hill said CNN declined to comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"vshp9\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker will document any resulting subpoenas under our <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/subpoena/\">Subpoena/Legal Order category</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ct4jw\">Nunes has pursued libel suits against the media before. In April, he targeted The McClatchy Company, which owns The Fresno Bee, in <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/california-congressman-devin-nunes-files-defamation-suit-against-newspaper-its-coverage/\">a $150 million defamation lawsuit</a>, arguing that its reporting on the congressman constituted “character assassination.” According to <a href=\"https://thehill.com/homenews/house/464229-nunes-files-75m-lawsuit-over-esquire-story-about-secret-iowa-dairy\">The Hill</a>, Nunes also has an ongoing $75 million lawsuit against journalist Ryan Lizza and Hearst Magazines filed in October.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/RTX79X5G.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"gqpx8\">Ranking House Intelligence Committee Member Devin Nunes (R-CA) participates in an impeachment inquiry on Nov. 21. A few days later on Fox News, Nunes outlined his plans to sue two more media organizations for their reporting.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [
"(2019-12-03 14:58:00+00:00) After calling reporting criminal, Congressman Nunes sues CNN for $435 million",
"(2022-04-14 12:56:00+00:00) Federal appeals court rejects Nunes lawsuit against CNN"
],
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"targeted_institutions": [
"CNN",
"The Daily Beast"
],
"tags": [],
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"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
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},
{
"title": "Photographer knocked to ground, camera damaged at football game",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-knocked-ground-camera-damaged-football-game/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-09T17:27:02.840840Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-27T21:28:13.276615Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-10-27T21:28:13.162694Z",
"date": "2019-11-23",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Honolulu",
"longitude": -157.85833,
"latitude": 21.30694,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4bqq5\">A photographer for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser says that he was assaulted during a University of Hawaii football game on Nov. 23, 2019, resulting in injuries and damage to his camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"r85kz\">USA Today <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2019/11/29/hawaii-football-nick-rolovich-honolulu-star/4333390002/\">reported</a> that photographer Jamm Aquino was standing on the sidelines when Hawaii coaches and players rushed the field after the opposing team missed a field goal, sealing the university’s victory. Aquino followed the team onto the field to photograph the celebration.</p><p data-block-key=\"p9nhb\"><a href=\"https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/11/29/sports/assault-at-uh-game-alleged-by-star-advertiser-photographer/?HSA=f34e49c98d22848d8d81ab433fa0db4c13ed3f98\">According to the Star-Advertiser</a>, seconds remained on the game clock and therefore the game was not officially over. It was while the team rushed back off the field to avoid a penalty that Aquino says Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich charged at him while swearing and “made contact” with him. The outlet also reported that an Associated Press photographer next to Aquino was shoved.</p><p data-block-key=\"hhhup\">Aquino told the Star-Advertiser that an unnamed university employee then shoved him to the ground, leaving him with a concussion and various other injuries and damaging his camera lens.</p><p data-block-key=\"wms43\">As Rolovich made his way off the field at the end of the game, he saw Aquino, pointed in his direction and again began swearing at him.</p><p data-block-key=\"ewg2h\">Star-Advertiser editor Frank Bridgewater said in the article, “Our photographers are representing our readers and deserve to be treated as professionals.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6cbe5\">“Swearing at and, worse, physically assaulting them, will not be tolerated,” Bridgewater said. “We will take whatever steps are needed to protect our photographers’ rights and to ensure that those who abuse them are called out.”</p><p data-block-key=\"78v2p\">The university said in a statement that Aquino violated sideline protocol and that Rolovich came into contact with Aquino while attempting to clear the field.</p><p data-block-key=\"lwa3v\">“Coach Rolovich regrets the situation occurred. He contacted the photographer late Saturday night and apologized,” the university said.</p><p data-block-key=\"6bx05\">Aquino did not respond to request for comment by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Aquino2_4Ppaezt.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"az0m6\">University of Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich charges the camera of Honolulu Star-Advertiser photographer Jamm Aquino during a football game. Aquino says Rolovich and another university employee assaulted him, causing injuries and equipment damage.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": "public figure",
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
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"assailant": "public figure",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
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{
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"equipment": "camera lens"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Hawaii",
"abbreviation": "HI"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jamm Aquino (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)"
],
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"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Arkansas broadcast journalist found in contempt of court, released on time served",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/arkansas-broadcast-journalist-found-contempt-court-released-time-served/",
"first_published_at": "2019-11-26T16:07:12.722088Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-11-08T21:37:24.055157Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-11-08T21:37:23.982887Z",
"date": "2019-11-19",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Bentonville",
"longitude": -94.20882,
"latitude": 36.37285,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"n2un9\">Nkiruka Azuka Omeronye, a reporter for KNWA/FOX24 News in northwest Arkansas, was found in contempt of court and sentenced to three days in jail on Nov. 19, 2019.</p><p data-block-key=\"6fjy9\">Omeronye, who broadcasts as Nkiruka Azuka, admitted in court to using her cellphone to record the Oct. 7 proceedings in a capital murder case. She said, however, that she was not aware that Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren had filed an order in June prohibiting any recording in his courtroom. There is also a state Supreme Court rule prohibiting recording without the judge’s permission.</p><p data-block-key=\"7wuwj\"><a href=\"https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/nov/19/arkansas-tv-reporter-sentenced-3-days-jail-recordi/\">According to Arkansas Online</a>, Omeronye said during her hearing that she understood that it was a sensitive case and that she had recorded to proceedings only to ensure the accuracy of her notes, not with the intention of broadcasting it.</p><p data-block-key=\"8m7l8\">“I did not mean to disrespect you or your courtroom,” Omeronye said. She testified that she had previously worked at stations in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Phoenix, Arizona, where reporters were permitted to record in courtrooms, and that she did not see signs in the lobby or on the courtroom door warning against recording the proceedings.</p><p data-block-key=\"znn2n\">Karren appeared to accept Omeronye’s apology.</p><p data-block-key=\"qxosn\">“I think you have shown the proper remorse,” Karren said. “I don’t think you were thumbing your nose at the court.” He also stated that he believes Omeronye’s employers let her down by not ensuring she was aware of the court’s rules.</p><p data-block-key=\"cu5g4\">Karren found that Omeronye deliberately recorded the proceedings and ruled her in contempt of the court. He ordered her to serve 10 days in the Benton County jail, but suspended seven of the days. Karren also placed her on six months probation and barred her from his courtroom.</p><p data-block-key=\"t0fhl\">Omeronye was scheduled to begin serving her sentence on Nov. 20, and was going to be permitted to leave the jail in order to go to work.</p><p data-block-key=\"nnmes\">After Omeronye’s sentencing, KNWA/FOX24 General Manager Lisa Kelsey <a href=\"https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/knwa-fox24-responds-to-reporter-held-in-contempt/\">said in a statement</a> that the broadcaster regrets the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"ns1mh\">“Nkiruka has offered a sincere apology to the judge, to her colleagues, and to the station. As we do with all our journalists, we have counseled her on obeying all courtroom rules, as well as Arkansas Judicial Guidelines,” Kelsey said.</p><p data-block-key=\"qjwvz\">Omeronye’s sentence drew criticism from media outlets and journalism organizations who called the jail time “excessive.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NABJ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NABJ</a> is disheartened to learn that reporter <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NkirukaAzuka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NkirukaAzuka</a><a href=\"https://twitter.com/KNWAnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@KNWANews</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Fox24News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Fox24News</a> has received jail time. We believe it's an excessive sentence. She stated she was unaware of a court's rule that did not permit her to record and apologized. Read more: <a href=\"https://t.co/PFdbAqPqkY\">https://t.co/PFdbAqPqkY</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/30eUhoB1mU\">pic.twitter.com/30eUhoB1mU</a></p>— NABJ Headquarters (@NABJ) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NABJ/status/1197255895450828801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hkre9\">Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists chapter President Sarah DeClerk <a href=\"https://arkansasspj.org/2019/11/19/arkansas-spj-condemns-tv-reporters-3-day-jail-sentence-for-recording-in-courtroom/\">said in a statement</a>, “We consider the judge’s actions to be excessive and disrespectful of the public service provided by journalists to all citizens interested in the judicial process.”</p><p data-block-key=\"pg4qs\">Arkansas Online <a href=\"https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/nov/22/after-few-hours-in-jail-journalist-orde/\">reported</a> that judge Karren called the jail on Nov. 20 and reduced Omeronye’s sentence to time served. She was released from custody at 5 p.m., a few hours after beginning her sentence.</p><p data-block-key=\"sxe81\">Omeronye was ordered to pay $250 in court costs, and told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, “All I can really say is that it’s done and that I’m moving on.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"arresting_authority": "Benton County Circuit Court",
"arrest_status": "arrested and released",
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"case_number": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Arkansas",
"abbreviation": "AR"
},
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{
"title": "NC judge grants then dissolves restraining order barring TV station from airing investigative report",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/nc-judge-grants-then-dissolves-restraining-order-barring-tv-station-airing-investigative-report/",
"first_published_at": "2019-11-20T17:53:49.813370Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-27T20:59:26.825382Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-27T20:59:26.741809Z",
"date": "2019-11-13",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Charlotte",
"longitude": -80.84313,
"latitude": 35.22709,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9megg\">A North Carolina judge granted a temporary restraining order on Nov. 13, 2019, barring David Hodges, a reporter at WBTV, from airing his investigation into a Charlotte-based towing company.</p><p data-block-key=\"3vwt3\">The order was lifted at a hearing the following day, and Hodges’ <a href=\"https://www.wbtv.com/2019/11/15/charlotte-company-tows-sells-soldiers-car-while-she-was-deployed/\">story</a> — about an Army National Guard soldier whose car was towed and sold while she was deployed — aired as planned that evening.</p><p data-block-key=\"jn7ey\">In the motion for the temporary restraining order filed with the court, the lawyer for the towing company, SL Recovery LLC, argued that Hodges’ story was false. “Hodges has not produced any evidence to substantiate his claims that Plaintiff has engaged in predatory towing practices, and thus far, Defendant Gray Television, Inc., has refused to pull the story which will air on November 14 if temporary and/or permanent injunctive relief is not granted to Plaintiff,” attorney Cedric Rainey wrote in his <a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PJ4NFqsKDfM8OuxjcgNGXt9RHmxYwgK8/view\">motion</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"adenu\">Previews of the story had already ran on WBTV, and as a result of those previews, Rainey’s motion alleges, SL Recovery had received a death threat. “The person making the threats specifically stated he would cause harm to Plaintiff if the targeting of veterans continued,” Rainey wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"j1s0a\">Mecklenburg County Judge Lisa Bell granted the temporary restraining order on the evening of Nov. 13, a day before the story was slated to run.</p><p data-block-key=\"xfqsx\">The next day, Jonathan Buchan, the lawyer representing WBTV and Hodges, filed a <a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0chvhp02taasJCpAqFuoa7OrhVcyegE/view\">motion</a> to dissolve the temporary restraining order, arguing that it amounted to “an impermissible prior restraint on speech which violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 14 of the Constitution of North Carolina.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3es87\">Buchan continued, “If this form of prior restraint were permissible under the First Amendment, then every subject of a planned news story could prohibit its publication for indefinite periods and litigate the truth or falsity of the unpublished article prior to its publication. It would essentially require, in Alice and Wonderland fashion, a ‘libel trial’ prior to the publication of an article. Such a process would eviscerate the First Amendment’s prohibition of prior restraints on publication.”</p><p data-block-key=\"g0h9u\">Buchan made these arguments at a hearing before Judge Bell on the afternoon of Nov. 14. “You don’t keep the news media in this country from publishing truthful—or what they believe to be truthful—information in this country,” Buchan told the court, <a href=\"https://www.wbtv.com/2019/11/14/judge-issues-lifts-restraining-order-preventing-wbtv-investigation-airing/\">according</a> to WBTV.</p><p data-block-key=\"fwzzz\">Rainey, the attorney for SL Recovery, told the judge that this was not a case of prior restraint. “There hasn’t been a prior restraint at any level,” he said in court. If the restraining order were lifted, Rainey continued, “The court would be tacitly permitting them to make ongoing libelous statements.”</p><p data-block-key=\"byix8\">Buchan countered at the hearing that the law affords injured parties the opportunity to file a lawsuit for defamation, should that occur, but restraining speech by blocking publication would set a dangerous precedent. “That’s not how the First Amendment was designed to work or has ever worked,” Buchan said. “When he says this is not a prior restraint, this is the definition of a prior restraint.”</p><p data-block-key=\"nh1t4\">Bell granted Buchan’s motion to dissolve the restraining order. “I conclude that the court was in error in granting a temporary restraining order,” Bell said as she announced her ruling.</p><p data-block-key=\"0qctn\">“At the time she signed the restraining order, Bell said, she thought the potential significant harm to SL Recovery outweighed the potential harm to WBTV by having to hold its story,” WBTV reported.</p><p data-block-key=\"9mtxi\">“At that point alone, I stand corrected,” Bell said.</p><p data-block-key=\"zejlx\">In a statement emailed to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Hodges said the experience was a shocking one. “It paralyzed me, but only for a minute before the news team at WBTV went to work defending the first amendment to make sure our story would air on-time,” he wrote. “Time and money are in short supply for any newsroom and are better spent reporting for our community than fighting legal battles already decided by the Supreme Court.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screen_Shot_2019-11-20_at_12.45.2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"zp5ql\">A portion of the motion to disolve the temporary restraining order placed on WBTV’s report</p>",
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"status_of_prior_restraint": "struck down",
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"state": {
"name": "North Carolina",
"abbreviation": "NC"
},
"updates": [],
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"Prior Restraint"
],
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"David Hodges (WBTV)"
],
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{
"title": "NYC building owner assaults reporter, breaks station camera equipment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/nyc-building-owner-assaults-reporter-breaks-station-camera-equipment/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-05T16:56:29.806903Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-11T20:43:34.635710Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-11T20:43:34.418951Z",
"date": "2019-11-12",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mh00u\">Michael Herzenberg, a reporter for Spectrum News NY1, was assaulted and a NY1 camera damaged in an altercation with a New York City landlord on Nov. 12, 2019, after Herzenberg attempted to interview him concerning complaints from his tenants.</p><p data-block-key=\"gt3vp\">Herzenberg was investigating allegations that there had been no heat or gas in two buildings owned by Michael Rose since May, NY1 <a href=\"https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/11/13/upper-west-side-broadside-tenants-without-gas-and-heat\">reported in its write-up of the altercation</a>. Herzenberg entered a business owned by Rose alongside Daniel Bernstein, the founder of a tenants association for the buildings.</p><p data-block-key=\"351cy\">After answering a few questions, Rose became hostile. In a <a href=\"https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/11/13/upper-west-side-broadside-tenants-without-gas-and-heat\">video of the incident</a> captured by NY1, Rose answers a question then tries to grab the NY1 microphone out of Herzenberg’s hand and says, “Alright, that’s enough.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Landlord/owner # didn’t like me <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NY1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NY1</a> asking him why his tenants have <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/noheat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#noheat</a> He blames <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ConEdison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@conedison</a> saying he tries to get the 2 buildings fixed everyday, but <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NYCCouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@nyccouncil</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MarkLevineNYC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@marklevinenyc</a> says utility told him it’s the owner’s fault. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NYPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@nypd</a> charged owner Mike Rose w/Criminal Mischief <a href=\"https://t.co/xGDz6FAoiS\">pic.twitter.com/xGDz6FAoiS</a></p>— Michael Herzenberg (@MHerzenberg) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MHerzenberg/status/1194542944159698945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 13, 2019</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"5uysw\">Someone can be heard asking Rose what he is doing as he pushes Herzenberg multiple times and appears to attempt to pull away the NY1 camera. In its <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1805462966265267\">Facebook post</a>, NY1 said the camera was broken in the altercation.</p><p data-block-key=\"8fsq8\">“I said get the fuck out of here,” Rose says. Rose appears to drag Herzenberg out of the store by his jacket. Once outside, Rose can be seen punching Bernstein in the head.</p><p data-block-key=\"ub5ha\">NYPD Spokesperson Sgt. Jessica McRorie told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that Bernstein sustained injuries but refused medical attention. It is unclear whether Herzenberg, who declined to comment, was injured in the scuffle. McRorie confirmed that Rose “broke a part of the [NY1] camera by smashing it with his hand.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bbxf4\">Rose was arrested and held overnight. McRorie told the Tracker that Rose has been charged with criminal mischief. West Side Rag <a href=\"https://www.westsiderag.com/2019/11/14/uws-landlord-arrested-on-assault-charges-after-scuffle-with-reporter-and-tenant\">reported</a> that Rose’s next court date is Dec. 5.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Herzenberg.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"o2y7h\">When an interview with a landlord became physical, a Spectrum News NY1 reporter was assaulted and the station camera was damaged.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
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"case_number": null,
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"actor": "private individual",
"border_point": null,
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"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
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"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "camera"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-11-07 00:00:00+00:00) Case sealed against NYC landlord who pushed NY1 reporter, broke station’s camera"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
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"Michael Herzenberg (Spectrum News NY1)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Court grants motion to compel former editor to reveal confidential source",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/court-grants-motion-to-compel-former-editor-to-reveal-confidential-source/",
"first_published_at": "2021-05-06T20:13:48.123654Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-08-14T13:45:58.747191Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-08-14T13:45:58.580031Z",
"date": "2019-11-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"2r81g\">On Nov. 5, 2019, as part a <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/charlottesville-civil-rights-trial.html\">lawsuit</a> against the organizers of Unite the Right rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia, in Aug. 2017, Milo Yiannopoulos, a former editor at Breitbart News, was subpoenaed for all documents and communication related to the rally and one of its organizers, Richard Spencer.</p><p data-block-key=\"7z82r\">Yiannopoulos, who, in Feb. 2017, had <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/milo-yiannopoulos-resigns-from-breitbart-news/2017/02/21/0217c128-f7cc-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html\">resigned</a> from his post at the conservite news site once described by its chairman as a <a href=\"https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-alt-right-breitbart-news/\">“platform for the alt-right,”</a> failed to comply with the subpoena, and on Dec. 18, the parties involved in the suit agreed to restrict its scope, now requesting only audio and visual recordings concerning the rally, as well as any communications between Yiannopoulos and the defendants.</p><p data-block-key=\"7xoid\">Yiannopoulos again failed to comply, ultimately stating that he had “nothing to produce relevant to the planning of [the rally].”</p><p data-block-key=\"h3qfc\">On April 6, 2020, however, Yiannopoulos published a <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvCJuwcE074\">video</a> on his YouTube channel that showed Spencer chanting, “Sieg Heil,” and performing a Nazi salute among a crowd of people, and two months later, he claimed on the <a href=\"https://t.me/s/MiloOfficial\">social media website Telegram</a> that “[a] lot more Richard Spencer drops still to come from me.” This prompted the plaintiffs in the case to <a href=\"https://files.integrityfirstforamerica.org/14228/1593184023-file0-0959218421868506.pdf\">file a motion</a>, on June 25, to compel his compliance with the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"nkt8s\">In a court hearing on July 29, Yiannopoulos <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539295/gov.uscourts.nysd.539295.24.0.pdf\">testified</a> that the recordings relating to Spencer and the rally were not in his possession and that he had been “mistaken” in his belief that he possessed them. “I have consulted the source of these recordings, who reminded me that they were played to me, but I did not retain copies of them,” Yiannopoulos told the court in his objection to the subpoena. He then invoked the reporter’s privilege to protect the source’s identity.</p><p data-block-key=\"hh35b\">The plaintiffs argued that Yiannopoulos could not invoke such privilege, stating that he’d been “cultivating his source in order to pursue a personal feud with Richard Spencer, and was thus not acting in the role of an independent journalist.”</p><p data-block-key=\"flp6z\">On Oct. 14, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York <a href=\"https://casetext.com/case/sines-v-yiannopoulos\">held</a> that Yiannopoulos had been working for Breitbart at the time he contacted the source and was thus protected by the reporter’s privilege.</p><p data-block-key=\"ml219\">It noted: “Respondent’s style of disseminating information may be confrontational and biased, but it is not wholly without journalistic content, and protecting even Respondent’s muckraking style protects the ‘public interest in the maintenance of a vigorous, aggressive and independent press capable of participating in robust, unfettered debate over controversial matters.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eny6d\">The court order stated that the plaintiffs had also failed to prove that the requested information was not available through alternative sources and rejected their claim that Yiannopoulos had not acted as an independent journalist. The court denied the motion to compel “with leave to renew upon a more thorough demonstration that Movants have exhausted potential alternative sources.”</p><p data-block-key=\"lk47r\">When reached for comment, Yiannopoulos told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: “Journalists are, to a man, weaselly, hypocritical, vindictive, disreputable and disgusting people, but we survive for one reason: We don’t reveal our sources.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3spg7\">On Nov. 5, 2020, the plaintiffs submitted a renewed motion to compel. After Yiannapolous did not submit an opposition to it, the court <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539295/gov.uscourts.nysd.539295.29.0.pdf\">admitted the renewed motion</a> on Dec. 7, ordering him to provide the information within two weeks.</p><p data-block-key=\"5xu9f\">The court subsequently granted the renewed motion to compel, ordering Yiannopoulos to reveal the two sources and noting that the movants had now also successfully shown that the confidential information sought was not obtainable from other available sources and had therefore overcome qualified privilege.</p><p data-block-key=\"1vzlt\">A law clerk at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York told the Tracker that the movants in the case had not approached the court since that order to compel, implying that the respondent, Yiannopoulos, had complied.</p><p data-block-key=\"a71t5\">Yiannopoulos did not respond to the Tracker’s follow-up request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"4ssj3\"><i>Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include the date of the final court order and change the subpoena status to "carried out."</i></p></div>",
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{
"title": "Fox News White House correspondent subpoenaed in defamation suit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fox-news-white-house-correspondent-subpoenaed-in-defamation-suit/",
"first_published_at": "2021-04-16T02:06:39.550344Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-04-06T15:43:59.689556Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-04-06T15:43:59.638300Z",
"date": "2019-11-01",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"k2zlj\">In the early hours of July 10, 2016, Seth Rich, a 27-year-old staffer with the Democratic National Committee, was <a href=\"https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-shot-killed-in-northwest-dc/2074048/\">fatally shot</a> while walking to his home in Washington, D.C. His death, while unsolved, is believed to be the result of a <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2019/08/08/749392506/conspiracyland-debunks-theories-about-murder-of-dnc-staffer-seth-rich\">robbery gone wrong</a>. It quickly, however, became a <a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-43727858\">flash point</a> for conspiracy theories: that Rich had been behind a DNC email dump to WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, and that he’d effectively been assassinated because of it. None of the claims have ever been substantiated.</p><p data-block-key=\"yd0ud\">On March 26, 2018, Rich’s brother, Aaron, <a href=\"https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/27/media/seth-rich-brother-sues-washington-times/index.html\">filed a defamation suit</a> in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against a slew of defendants — Texas businessman and then-frequent Fox News guest Ed Butowsky, the Washington Times, America First Media Group and its founder, Matt Couch — who he’d alleged had shown a “reckless disregard for the truth” and falsely linked both himself and his brother to the email leak.</p><p data-block-key=\"prxfp\">During the course of three years of litigation, attorneys for both sides collectively subpoenaed nearly a dozen news outlets and members of the press. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documents all subpoena requests individually; Find a complete overview of the known subpoenas for this case in the blog post, “<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-a-dozen-journalists-outlets-and-third-parties-subpoenaed-in-defamation-suit/\">Nearly a dozen journalists, outlets and third parties subpoenaed in defamation suit</a>.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6dw8y\">In January 2021, both <a href=\"https://thedcpatriot.com/statement-from-matt-couch/\">Couch</a> and <a href=\"https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-never-had-physical-proof-to-back-up-any-such-statements-former-fox-news-guest-apologizes-to-seth-richs-brother-for-dnc-conspiracy-theory/\">Butowsky</a> publicly apologized and retracted prior claims made about the Rich brothers, though Butowsky deleted his statement of contrition almost immediately, according to Law & Crime. Couch and Rich reached a settlement agreement on Jan. 19; Butowsky and Rich reached an agreement on March 22. The lawsuit was terminated officially when District Judge Richard Leon granted Rich’s motions to dismiss the charges against the defendants on March 29. The details of the settlement agreements were not made public.</p><h4 data-block-key=\"qqrp6\">Ellen Ratner | Former Fox News White House correspondent</h4><p data-block-key=\"d5j7u\">Ratner — who’s late brother, Michael, was one of WikiLeaks’ U.S. lawyers — <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M3Z4eE6cJA\">claimed</a> Assange told her during a three-hour meeting in London that the DNC email dump was executed by an insider, not the Russian government.</p><ul><li data-block-key=\"iy8b3\"><b>Aug. 18, 2019:</b> Couch lists Ratner in his initial disclosure statement as someone who is likely to have discoverable information, alleging she “has knowledge of her communications with Julian Assange relating to the leak of DNC emails to Wikileaks by one or more DNC insiders or affiliated persons.”</li><li data-block-key=\"q5fo0\"><b>Oct. 14, 2019:</b> Rich files a request to depose Ratner, along with Fox News reporter Malia Zimmerman and freelance reporter Cassandra Fairbanks.</li><li data-block-key=\"ntbr2\"><b>Nov. 1, 2019:</b> District Judge Richard Leon approves Rich’s request.</li><li data-block-key=\"m3zp4\"><b>Dec. 17, 2019:</b> Rich serves questions for the Rule 31 deposition of Ratner to Eden Quainton, Butowsky’s attorney. Under Rule 31, written questions are submitted by the issuing party and the opposing party has two weeks to submit “cross-questions.” A designated deposition officer then schedules and takes the deposition. Butowsky did not submit any such questions.</li><li data-block-key=\"sqwgm\"><b>Jan. 17, 2020:</b> Ratner complies with and completes the deposition in Ohio, where she resides.</li></ul><p data-block-key=\"qoi66\"><b>Status of Subpoena</b></p><p data-block-key=\"2wrjl\">Carried out. Following the completion of the deposition, Butowsky voiced a desire to cross-examine or re-depose Ratner, ultimately filing his own deposition subpoena and a motion to strike the first deposition in its entirety. The Tracker has documented the <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fox-news-white-house-correspondent-receives-second-subpoena-for-documents-testimony-in-defamation-case/\">second subpoena here</a>.</p></div>",
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],
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"carried out"
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{
"title": "Multimedia journalist assaulted while reporting in Charlotte",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/multimedia-journalist-assaulted-while-reporting-in-charlotte/",
"first_published_at": "2021-02-10T22:08:57.164150Z",
"last_published_at": "2021-02-10T22:08:57.164150Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2021-02-10T22:08:57.129569Z",
"date": "2019-11-01",
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"city": "Charlotte",
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"latitude": 35.22709,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p>Paige Pauroso, a multimedia journalist for WBTV, a CBS-affiliate station based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was assaulted while filming b-roll in the city on Nov. 1, 2019.</p><p>Pauroso, who did not respond to messages requesting comment, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PaigePauroso/status/1192883992816697345\">posted a video</a> to Twitter that shows a woman approaching Pauroso as she’s carrying a camera atop a tripod toward a couple of cars. Approximately 5 seconds into the clip, the woman hits Pauroso in the head, knocking it into the camera. The woman appears to then say something to Pauroso and walk away.</p><p>According to a police report shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, the assault occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the intersection of North Sharon Amity Road and Campbell Drive.</p><p>Pauroso wrote an <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PaigePauroso/status/1192884118582943744\">account</a> of the incident: “This woman verbally and then physically attacked me for just doing my job. I tried to diffuse the situation by deleting the clips she might have been in (she was walking on a public street). But it was obviously she hated me for just being in the neighborhood with a camera.”</p><p>Pauroso <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PaigePauroso/status/1193123884138213376\">wrote</a> that she was “a little shaken up” and her head was sore from where it hit the camera; she also confirmed that she had filed a police report about the incident.</p><p>“I’m ok, thankfully. But I know this situation could have been worse,” Pauroso wrote. “I’m not sure exactly the point of this post other than to remind other journalists to be careful. And for those outside the biz, your local journalists aren’t the enemy, we’re your neighbors.”</p><p>Pauroso also noted that safety concerns are an ongoing conversation among multimedia journalists — many of whom are young women — as they often report in the field alone.</p><p>Officer Thomas Hildebrand, a spokesperson for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, told the Tracker the case is still open and no one has been charged.</p></div>",
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"assailant": "private individual",
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"state": {
"name": "North Carolina",
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{
"title": "Tech investor attempts to compel U.S. journalist to identify confidential source",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tech-investor-attempts-compel-us-journalist-identify-confidential-source/",
"first_published_at": "2019-12-18T18:32:29.405337Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-07-05T18:42:13.732314Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-07-05T18:42:13.540794Z",
"date": "2019-10-31",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"auvfh\">On Oct. 31, 2019, venture capital investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Shervin Pishevar filed an application for discovery against Fast Company senior news editor Marcus Baram in an effort to uncover identifying information about a source cited in a 2017 article.</p><p data-block-key=\"40ddi\">In September 2017, Baram met with a confidential source who claimed to have information concerning the arrest of the tech investor on suspicion of sexual assault in London that May. The source also claimed to have a copy of the police report from that arrest. In a response to a request for comment, Pishevar confirmed his arrest in a statement to Fast Company.</p><p data-block-key=\"rgqnx\">Information provided by the source and contained in the alleged police report was used in an article published by Fast Company in November 2017, having received inconclusive responses from the City of London Police concerning the document’s authenticity. The police report was later proven to be fabricated.</p><p data-block-key=\"gm1fl\">Fast Company <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fast-company-subpoenaed-identifying-information-confidential-source/\">received a subpoena</a> from lawyers representing Pishevar in August 2019, seeking information they hoped to use in possible future court cases, or “contemplated criminal and civil proceedings in England,” according to a memorandum of law obtained by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"2tpvu\">General counsel for the magazine largely complied with the subpoena and follow up emails from Pishevar’s attorneys. They did not, however, provide identifying information about Baram’s confidential source, stating that Baram claimed reporter’s privilege under New York’s shield law.</p><p data-block-key=\"mpbfl\">Lucas Bento, an attorney for Pishevar, acknowledged that identifying information about the source was the central aim of the subpoena, and threatened to pursue a court-ordered deposition of Baram if Fast Company did not provide the identifying information voluntarily.</p><p data-block-key=\"3csiv\">Bento followed through on this threat on Oct. 31, filing an application for discovery for documents, communications and testimony from Baram. The application, which is the process by which subpoenas are issued by foreign parties and approved by U.S. courts, was obtained and reviewed by the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"pnm8u\">In an affidavit opposing the application filed on Dec. 4, Baram said that he often relies on speaking with sources on the condition of anonymity.</p><p data-block-key=\"r9vbt\">“My ability to report on matters of public interest depends on my ability to safeguard the identities of my sources and the confidentiality of the information that they provide. I have never revealed a confidential source,” Baram said.</p><p data-block-key=\"twzo5\">In addition to asserting his reporter’s privilege, Baram wrote that he was asserting his privilege against self-incrimination. He noted concerns that — while he maintains he committed no crime — Pishevar may pursue criminal charges against him.</p><p data-block-key=\"42ven\">“I am appalled that my honest newsgathering and truthful reporting about [City of London Police’s] arrest of Mr. Pishevar (a fact he has acknowledged) could result in criminal allegations against me by Mr. Pishevar,” Baram said.</p><p data-block-key=\"uecxx\"><i>This article was updated to reflect that Shervin Pishevar confirmed his arrest to Fast Company.</i><br/></p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"u14kk\">A portion of one of two subpoenas seeking confidential work product and testimony from Fast Company senior news editor Marcus Baram in relation to a 2017 article about investor Shervin Pishevar</p>",
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"state": {
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},
"updates": [
"(2021-06-30 14:12:00+00:00) Judge dismisses request for Fast Company reporter to reveal confidential source",
"(2020-02-18 14:31:00+00:00) Judge dismisses tech investor’s attempt to compel disclosure of confidential source",
"(2020-10-03 10:51:00+00:00) Judge orders Fast Company reporter to reveal confidential source"
],
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"categories": [
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{
"title": "Editor says arrest is in retaliation for his reporting",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/editor-says-arrest-retaliation-his-reporting/",
"first_published_at": "2019-11-05T18:59:21.691241Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-01-17T17:22:59.641418Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-01-17T17:22:59.533883Z",
"date": "2019-10-25",
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"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"62jbi\">The Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal was arrested on assault charges on Oct. 25, 2019, at his home in Washington, D.C.</p><p data-block-key=\"wif4k\">Blumenthal told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the charge is false and is in retaliation for his outlet’s reporting on the Venezuelan opposition.</p><p data-block-key=\"1g0aj\">An account of his arrest <a href=\"https://thegrayzone.com/2019/10/28/this-charge-is-one-hundred-percent-false-grayzone-editor-max-blumenthal-arrested-months-after-reporting-on-venezuelan-opposition-violence/\">was published on The Grayzone</a>, the site Blumenthal founded in 2015.</p><p data-block-key=\"u71xi\">In April and May of this year, the embassy in D.C. was the site for weeks-long protests between backers of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and supporters of Juan Guaidó, who has been recognized by the United States and other nations as the country’s interim president, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/police-forcibly-remove-activists-living-in-the-venezuelan-embassy-in-washington/2019/05/16/80d464be-77cf-11e9-b3f5-5673edf2d127_story.html\">according to the Washington Post</a>. The Post reported that at least 10 other people were arrested in connection with the protests.</p><p data-block-key=\"22nqw\">In public court records, prosecutors claim that the alleged assault occurred during a confrontation involving the delivery of food and water to the embassy on May 8.</p><p data-block-key=\"q85v0\">The Tracker is so far unable to independently corroborate the editor’s assertion that this arrest was specifically in retaliation for his reporting, but we will continue to follow this case and report on it as it develops.</p><p data-block-key=\"slbm9\">Blumenthal said the next status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22.</p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"aqc70\">Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido demonstrate outside the Venezuelan embassy occupied by Nicolas Maduro supporters in Washington, D.C. in May.</p>",
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"state": {
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"updates": [
"(2019-12-06 17:08:00+00:00) Charges against journalist Max Blumenthal dropped"
],
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],
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}
]
