HTTP 200 OK
Access-Control-Allow-Methods: GET,OPTIONS,HEAD
Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *
Allow: GET, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Link:
<http://pressfreedomtracker.us/api/edge/incidents/?format=api>; rel="first",
<http://pressfreedomtracker.us/api/edge/incidents/?cursor=cj0xJnA9MjAyMi0wNC0xOS01ZDEyY2ZmOC1jNWEwLTExZWMtYTE4Mi1mYWE0ODAyYjJhZTM%3D&format=api>; rel="prev",
<http://pressfreedomtracker.us/api/edge/incidents/?cursor=cD0yMDIyLTAxLTEwLTMzNWViNzgwLTdlYmEtMTFlYy04NzE0LWFhZDc1ZjE2MGRjOQ%3D%3D&format=api>; rel="next"
Vary: Accept
[
{
"title": "Reporter assaulted in Detroit by contractor profiled in news segment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-assaulted-in-detroit-by-contractor-profiled-in-news-segment/",
"first_published_at": "2022-04-26T20:35:09.115243Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-18T15:07:42.222840Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-10-18T15:07:42.099825Z",
"date": "2022-04-19",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Detroit",
"longitude": -83.04575,
"latitude": 42.33143,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"md3wo\">Rob Wolchek, an investigative reporter for Fox 2 News, was assaulted on April 19, 2022, while on assignment in Detroit, Michigan.</p><p data-block-key=\"bhp77\">Wolchek told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he often profiles bad contractors for his "Hall of Shame" segment, and had featured fence contractor Seth Chuhran in a 2020 segment after he was arrested for allegedly failing to build fences for paying customers.</p><p data-block-key=\"e8cg7\"><a href=\"https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/faux-fence-guy-is-a-real-hot-head\">Fox 2 News video</a> of the incident shows Chuhran leaving a police station before assaulting Wolchek. Wolchek said he happened to be at the police station to interview a detective working on Chuhran's case when he saw him arrive at the police station.</p><p data-block-key=\"dsean\">"We saw [Chuhran] drive up to the station and thought, ’OK, let's try to talk to him when he comes out,’" Wolchek said.</p><p data-block-key=\"32pf2\">The video shows Wolchek holding a microphone and attempting to ask him questions before Chuhran walks toward him and swings at the microphone.</p><p data-block-key=\"90gd4\">Wolchek said he has been reporting on Chuhran, who has been arrested more than six times, for nearly two years.</p><p data-block-key=\"c5pls\">Wolchek said that he felt safe trying to interview Chuhran in front of the police station but was not aware officers had witnessed the incident and did not expect Chuhran to get arrested.</p><p data-block-key=\"mvvs\">"I've been doing this a long time, and it's not that unusual, particularly after these guys who are exposed and put on the news to retaliate with aggression when they see me again," Wolchek said.</p><p data-block-key=\"ah62i\">Wolchek filed a police report, and Chuhran was charged with assault and battery under a city ordinance. He said the microphone was not damaged.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "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": "Michigan",
"abbreviation": "MI"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-06-21 00:00:00+00:00) Man who attacked reporter trying to interview him sentenced to probation and a fine"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Rob Wolchek (WJBK)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Daily Beast editor says arrest was in retaliation for his reporting",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/daily-beast-editor-says-arrest-was-in-retaliation-for-his-reporting/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-07T20:48:26.318626Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-02-13T19:47:57.698005Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-02-13T19:47:57.600124Z",
"date": "2022-04-17",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"glda1\">Lachlan Cartwright, an editor-at-large for The Daily Beast, was arrested and charged with trespassing on April 17, 2022, while at a store in New York City.</p><p data-block-key=\"fapbl\">Cartwright told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was charged as a form of payback following an <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/police-aggressively-seized-journalists-press-pass-amid-manhattan-protest/\">adversarial interaction</a> he had with a New York Police Department officer while covering a protest in 2020. On Aug. 23, his attorney <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.585204/gov.uscourts.nysd.585204.1.0.pdf\">filed a lawsuit</a> on his behalf against the city and 10 NYPD officers.</p><p data-block-key=\"j3sm\">Cartwright said he entered a storefront in Lower Manhattan at around noon on April 17 to buy gifts for his sister. When he noticed that there were no employees in the store, he attempted to reach managers, messaging the store through Instagram and calling its sister store in Florida.</p><p data-block-key=\"64apb\">The manager of the sister store told him that the shop’s manager would be coming in, and Cartwright said he offered to wait around as long as he could. After around 10 minutes — approximately 40 minutes since he had first walked into the store — Cartwright said he left a note with the items he wanted to purchase and went to leave. That’s when he noticed the sirens.</p><p data-block-key=\"9126k\">NYPD officers then entered the store, approached Cartwright and placed him under arrest.</p><p data-block-key=\"6drb8\">“I consistently and repeatedly told them what had happened and the fact that if they’d just check the note, the security camera and talk to the store, this would all be resolved,” Cartwright told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"fgkmo\">Officers transported Cartwright to the NYPD’s 6th Precinct, eventually allowing him to call his editor at The Daily Beast. A few hours later, an officer asked whether he had his NYPD press credentials. Cartwright told the Tracker that since he had stopped covering events that would necessitate it, he had not gone through the process of renewing it for at least a year.</p><p data-block-key=\"4h9nu\">Cartwright told the Tracker that when he asked what was going on, one of his arresting officers told him that he had been speaking with the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Information’s Office and that, “They know who you are.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7epci\">A short while later, Cartwright said one of the officers stepped out of the room to speak with someone. When the officer returned, he told Cartwright that while his story had checked out, they were still charging him with criminal trespass in the third degree.</p><p data-block-key=\"a0qqg\">“I broke down crying. I was just in such a state of shock that this was going on and just absolutely baffled as to how they could carry out an investigation and tell me that I did nothing wrong but then charge me with something,” he told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"87v59\">Approximately three to four hours after he was placed under arrest, Cartwright was released with a citation and orders to appear before a judge. The Office of the District Attorney for New York County declined to prosecute the charge against the editor on April 21.</p><p data-block-key=\"fehtq\">Cartwright said that both he and one of his colleagues at The Daily Beast spoke with sources at the department who confirmed that the DCPI did not like him, referencing an <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/police-aggressively-seized-journalists-press-pass-amid-manhattan-protest/\">interaction he had with officers</a> while covering a Black Lives Matter protest in Union Square Park in May 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ger3\">The DCPI did not respond to emails requesting comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"hqv8\">National Lawyers Guild attorney Gideon Orion Oliver filed a notice of claim on Cartwright’s behalf on July 15, 2022, and the <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.585204/gov.uscourts.nysd.585204.1.0.pdf\">lawsuit</a> against the City of New York and multiple police officers on Aug. 23.</p><p data-block-key=\"1i6bj\">“I want to find out exactly what was happening that day behind the scenes because it’s not just a suspicion that this was payback or retribution against me for basically journalism: We have it from two different sources that it was,” Cartwright told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"698f6\">Oliver told the Tracker that the case will go through mediation before reaching discovery, but they hope to identify the DCPI officer or officers who communicated about Cartwright while he was in custody and the extent to which that influenced the decision to charge him. He added that while they hope to speak with the officers themselves, he could not rule out the possibility of calling on Cartwright’s colleague to testify.</p><p data-block-key=\"92vh9\">The Tracker was unable to independently corroborate Cartwright’s assertion that the charges against him were specifically in retaliation for the May 2020 incident.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "1:22-cv-07198",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"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": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-08-15 00:00:00+00:00) Journalist settles civil rights suit against NYPD"
],
"case_statuses": [
"settled"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Lachlan Cartwright (The Daily Beast)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Two Occupy Democrats journalists removed from press conference with Florida governor",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/two-occupy-democrats-journalists-removed-from-press-conference-with-florida-governor/",
"first_published_at": "2022-04-22T16:17:52.742796Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-20T20:54:41.344765Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-20T20:54:41.217336Z",
"date": "2022-04-12",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Miami",
"longitude": -80.19366,
"latitude": 25.77427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ro3e3\">Two journalists with the news arm of progressive political organization Occupy Democrats were forcibly removed from a press conference at Miami Dade College in downtown Miami, Florida, on April 12, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"da4ol\">Executive Editor Grant Stern told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he and Reported Opinion Columnist Thomas Kennedy were alerted to a press conference with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñes via email from the governor’s press office. Stern said both he and Kennedy sent emails confirming that they would attend the press conference, but received no response. Stern told the Tracker that due to Kennedy’s activist activities prior to his work for Occupy Democrats, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement compiled a dossier on Kennedy and his known associates in 2020 and functionally blacklisted him from attending the governor’s press conferences.</p><p data-block-key=\"cpk5b\">When reached for comment, Kennedy said that politicians in Florida too often pick and choose which press to engage with, and that his emails to RSVP for press conferences are routinely ignored.</p><p data-block-key=\"30j6k\">“Then, when we get [to the press conference] they tell us we’re not on the list or we haven’t gone through the proper credentialing. They could say ‘no,’ which I think is unfair and selective, especially when it’s not a campaign event, but they don’t even bother to do that,” Kennedy said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2an1f\">When the pair arrived on April 12, they were directed to the media area at the back of the room alongside other members of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"64un4\">Before the event began, DeSantis’ press secretary, Christina Pushaw, approached the press area with other staff members and multiple law enforcement officers. In footage <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo/status/1513892830325977093\">shared on Twitter</a> by NBC reporter Marc Caputo, another woman can be seen approaching Kennedy and asking him whether he is a member of the press; Kennedy responds that he is.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">As with other Miami pressers, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GovRonDeSantis</a> kicks his off with the customary removal of <a href=\"https://twitter.com/tomaskenn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@tomaskenn</a> & <a href=\"https://twitter.com/grantstern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@grantstern</a> <br><br>Here’s Tomas<br>1/2 <a href=\"https://t.co/v8cjHQK2ml\">pic.twitter.com/v8cjHQK2ml</a></p>— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo/status/1513892830325977093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 12, 2022</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=\"ro3e3\">The woman says that Kennedy isn’t on their RSVP list and that because he did not go through their screening process he must step out of the room. At least three police officers then roughly guide Kennedy out of the room as he voices a question for DeSantis.</p><p data-block-key=\"2fi1q\">In <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BiancaJoanie/status/1513892655675101189\">footage</a> posted by Miami Herald reporter Bianca Padró Ocasio, Pushaw can be seen pointing out Stern to a man who appears to also be acting as security for the event as Kennedy is led away. Moments later Stern is directed to leave the press conference as well.</p><p data-block-key=\"f6gm8\">“Do you suspect me of committing a crime?” Stern <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BiancaJoanie/status/1513893064057761795\">can be heard asking</a> an officer before walking out of the room. “I sent an RSVP, I am a member of the press: I am an editor of a national publication called Occupy Democrats.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8te52\">Stern told the Tracker he asked the officers for the names and badge numbers before the pair left to <a href=\"https://occupydemocrats.com/2022/04/12/video-florida-gov-ron-desantis-sends-cops-to-eject-our-journalists-for-no-reason/\">report on their removal</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"11e8i\">DeSantis’ office did not respond to an emailed request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"64k1r\">The governor’s office has <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?politicians_or_public_figures_involved=Gov.%20Ron%20DeSantis\">barred press from covering press conferences or bill signings</a> on at least three other occasions since March 2020, including an incident in August 2021 when Stern was forcefully removed from a press conference with DeSantis and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The Tracker documented that incident <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-at-advocacy-news-organization-dragged-from-press-conference/\">here</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Occupy_Democrats_1.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"hkn3m\">“Miami Herald reporter Bianca Padró Ocasio captured footage of police escorting two Occupy Democrats journalists out of a gubernatorial press conference at Miami Dade College on April 12, 2022.”</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": "Florida",
"abbreviation": "FL"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"State government: Governor"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Grant Stern (Occupy Democrats)",
"Thomas Kennedy (Occupy Democrats)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": [
"Government event"
]
},
{
"title": "A restraining order filed against two LA Times reporters to stop news story dissolved by judge",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/a-restraining-order-filed-against-two-la-times-reporters-to-stop-news-story-dissolved-by-judge/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-11T19:13:51.696338Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-07-13T22:28:07.241095Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-07-13T22:28:07.121488Z",
"date": "2022-04-11",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"w2821\">Michael Mario Santillanes, a cosmetic surgeon who was the subject of a Los Angeles Times <a href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-10/full-coverage-california-medical-board-and-troubled-doctors\">investigation</a>, filed a restraining order against two reporters who investigated claims that Santillanes continued to practice medicine after his license was revoked in 2020. After first granting the order against reporters Jack Dolan and Brittny Mejia, a California U.S. District judge then permanently dissolved it on April 11, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"5jbg2\"><a href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-03/russian-thug-fake-yelp-former-california-doctor-medical-board\">According to the LA Times</a>, the judge cited “omissions and inconsistencies” in Santillanes’ story and accused him of “attempting to mislead the court.”</p><p data-block-key=\"71p1c\">When filing the request, Santillanes did not identify Dolan as a reporter, and claimed he was a menacing “Russian Thug.” Santillanes also implied that Mejia did not exist and was a made-up identity created to stalk his former clients on the review website, Yelp.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">He didn’t tell the judge I’m a reporter for the LA Times. He told her I was an enormous Russian thug dating his ex-wife. She signed the restraining order without Googling, apparently. With <a href=\"https://twitter.com/brittny_mejia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@brittny_mejia</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/g9wF5JZcz2\">https://t.co/g9wF5JZcz2</a></p>— Jack Dolan (@jackdolanLAT) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jackdolanLAT/status/1554842112490741760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 3, 2022</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=\"w2821\">The LA Times reported that Santillanes' fictitious claims and the eventual restraining order — typically granted for immediate relief from violence, threats or harassment — derailed the reporters’ investigation.</p><p data-block-key=\"46e7i\">Neither Dolan nor Mejia responded to a request for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. The outlet’s General Counsel Jeff Glasser told the newspaper that this was the first time he had seen someone try to use a civil restraining order to prevent a news story.</p><p data-block-key=\"7v8cn\">“I was concerned that it posed a danger to our newsgathering,” Glasser said.</p><p data-block-key=\"8grgj\">After the Times filed documents to challenge the restraining order, a court hearing was held in Santa Ana in early May 2022. During the hearing, an LA Times attorney said the paper found a computer system breach the day after Santillanes filed for a restraining order. Dolan’s direct deposit paycheck had also been rerouted and transferred to a prepaid debit card, and his work email account was accessed more than a dozen times illegally.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This story marked a number of firsts. First court declaration. First time prepping to testify. First purchase of identity theft protection<br><br>An ex-doctor’s wild campaign against reporters w/ <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jackdolanLAT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@jackdolanLAT</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/JpGDsSQC3i\">https://t.co/JpGDsSQC3i</a></p>— Brittny Mejia (@brittny_mejia) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/brittny_mejia/status/1554854864378703872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 3, 2022</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=\"w2821\">Judge Sandy N. Leal, who had initially granted the temporary restraining order, stopped the hearing after two days, permanently dissolving the restraining order and dismissing the case. Leal also invited the Times to file a motion requesting that Santillanes pay the paper’s legal fees, which it did. On July 11, Leal ordered Santillanes to pay $117,000 in attorneys fees.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jack Dolan (Los Angeles Times)",
"Brittny Mejia (Los Angeles Times)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Documentary filmmaker subpoenaed by House Committee investigating Jan. 6 riot",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/documentary-filmmaker-subpoenaed-by-house-committee-investigating-jan-6-riot/",
"first_published_at": "2022-06-23T15:55:59.616478Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:28:27.161468Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:28:27.060862Z",
"date": "2022-04-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"3h0g6\">The U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol subpoenaed British documentary filmmaker Nick Quested for footage and testimony in mid-2022, <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/21/us/alex-holder-jan-6-subpoena-video.html?referringSource=articleShare\">according to The New York Times</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6cf0r\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/09/politics/nick-quested-january-6-committee-public-hearing-explainer/index.html\">reported</a> that Quested, executive director and owner of Goldcrest Films, was embedded with the Proud Boys, which the Southern Poverty Law Center <a href=\"https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys\">designates</a> as a hate group, for months leading up to the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Leaders of the Proud Boys were involved in the early clashes at the Capitol and five of them have been charged with seditious conspiracy.</p><p data-block-key=\"4148s\">In an <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/11/opinions/quested-proud-boys-jan-6-hearing-bergen/index.html\">interview with CNN</a>, Quested said, “I spoke to the authorities in an interview beforehand, but when they were using my work in the way that they did, I felt it was only appropriate for them to subpoena me.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8rjsf\">Quested told CNN that recognizing that he had likely filmed numerous crimes being committed, he decided to turn the footage over to the FBI.</p><p data-block-key=\"e358v\">“I didn’t feel there was any journalistic jeopardy giving that to authorities,” Quested said.</p><p data-block-key=\"5bmkp\">Quested <a href=\"https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/04-5-2022/candid-cameraman/\">told Politico</a> that he sat for an hours-long deposition on April 5, 2022. The documentarian also mentioned a possible second subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice.</p><p data-block-key=\"b65up\">Quested, who gave live testimony at a hearing on June 9, did not respond to requests for additional information on when the subpoena was issued or what materials were requested.</p><p data-block-key=\"5kpn6\">The House Select Committee, established on June 30 chaired by democrat Rep. Bennie Thompson, has now issued at least three subpoenas targeting journalists or their records. The committee subpoenaed freelance photojournalist Amy Harris’ <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-journalist-sues-following-house-committees-subpoena-of-her-phone-records/\">phone records</a> in November 2021 and ordered another British documentarian, Alex Holder, to <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/documentarian-subpoenaed-by-house-committee-investigating-jan-6-riot/\">provide footage and testify</a> before the committee on June 15, 2022.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/RTS8K0MO.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"juo0d\">Nick Quested, a documentary filmmaker, testifies on June 9, 2022, before the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol. Quested said he was speaking in compliance with a subpoena.</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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020",
"white nationalism"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Nick Quested (Goldcrest Films)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"carried out"
],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Subpoena withdrawn for former NYT reporter in trial of Clinton campaign lawyer",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/dc_sussmann-trial_lichtblau_subpoena_04-2022/",
"first_published_at": "2022-05-26T19:16:22.127875Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-28T19:02:58.264030Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-06-28T19:02:58.087994Z",
"date": "2022-04-01",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ij4xv\">As part of a trial involving a former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer, a subpoena demanding testimony from a former New York Times reporter was submitted in April 2022 then withdrawn on May 24, legal counsel for the Times confirmed to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker in an email.</p><p data-block-key=\"eohfi\"><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/us/politics/michael-sussmann-trial-eric-lichtblau.html\">According to the Times</a>, the subpoena called for Eric Lichtblau to testify in the trial of Michael Sussmann, who was charged with making false statements to the FBI in 2016 in his role as a Clinton campaign attorney.</p><p data-block-key=\"f8opr\">Prosecutors say that Sussmann met with former FBI General Counsel James Baker and shared information about data that allegedly linked the Trump Organization to Alfa Bank, a Russian bank affiliated with the Kremlin.</p><p data-block-key=\"3d3ru\">Prosecutors say Sussmann wanted to prompt an FBI investigation into the connection so that journalists could report on it. Sussmann’s defense team says he approached the FBI to notify them that an article was already underway.</p><p data-block-key=\"d7n2q\">Lichtblau, then a reporter for the Times, co-authored <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/01/us/politics/fbi-russia-election-donald-trump.html\">an article in October 2013</a>, six weeks after Sussmann met with the FBI, noting that officials had not been able to confirm a clear link between the Trump Organization and Alfa Bank.</p><p data-block-key=\"9dep0\"><a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/media/durham-sussmann-trial-times-lichtblau\">Fox News reported</a> that before the defense lawyers withdrew the subpoena, Lichtblau had initially agreed to testify during the trial but then filed a protective order to limit testimony to only interactions between him and Sussmann and bar any questions about other sources.</p><p data-block-key=\"15tn0\">According to the Times, Lichtblau’s testimony could have “shed light on what he told Mr. Sussmann regarding how soon an article might be published before he sought the F.B.I. meeting.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "other testimony",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Eric Lichtblau (The New York Times)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Colorado investigative journalist assaulted by city official",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/colorado-investigative-journalist-assaulted-by-city-official/",
"first_published_at": "2022-12-08T18:06:00.683497Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-01-09T22:14:01.158655Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-01-09T22:14:00.964856Z",
"date": "2022-03-29",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Fort Collins",
"longitude": -105.08442,
"latitude": 40.58526,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"zhs98\">Colorado independent journalist Stacy Lynne told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that Loveland City Manager Stephen Adams “shoulder-checked” her while she was covering a hearing on public records on March 29, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"bj7el\">“It still shocks me to realize that he actually hit me,” Lynne said. “I didn't even have time to adjust or brace, I didn't have time to defend myself at all.”</p><p data-block-key=\"57nt8\">As part of an investigation, Lynne had sued the city of Loveland in 2021 for access to records around a police detective’s employment files. In January 2022, a district court judge granted her unredacted access to the files. Lynne said she was attending the March evidentiary hearing for the Loveland mayor’s public records request which referenced her reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"1pap5\">It was at the hearing, Lynne said, where she realized Adams had been involved in blocking access to the public records. Adams did not respond to requests for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"d1jl7\">After the incident, Lynne filed a report with the sheriff’s department. She said it took 72 days for harassment charges to be filed.</p><p data-block-key=\"4f7v5\">In October, Adams entered into a diversion agreement, a contract with the court that allows first-time offenders to <a href=\"https://www.larimer.gov/da/diversion-programs#:~:text=We%20offer%20diversion%20opportunities%20for,harm%20repair%20in%20the%20community.\">resolve cases outside the criminal justice process</a>. Larimer County Assistant District Attorney Matt Maillaro told the Tracker via email that the case remained open while Adams completed the conditions of his diversion agreement — 50 hours of community service and a conflict management class. According to the DA’s office, failure to meet the conditions could result in prosecution. Adams is expected to complete the agreement in February 2023.</p><p data-block-key=\"1l1qt\">Several months after the assault, Lynne said she was satisfied with how the DA’s office handled the case but was still disturbed by the city manager’s actions.</p><p data-block-key=\"bqkk9\">“His intention was clearly to scare me enough that I would stop reporting on what the city's problems are,” Lynne said. “So that's the chilling aspect, to make it clear that this was no accident.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "23CV123",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"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": "public figure",
"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": "Colorado",
"abbreviation": "CO"
},
"updates": [
"(2024-01-02 00:00:00+00:00) Colorado journalist awarded $110,000 settlement in assault suit against city manager"
],
"case_statuses": [
"settled"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Stacy Lynne (Independent)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "New York Post reporter assaulted by man being evicted from encampment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/new-york-post-reporter-assaulted-by-man-being-evicted-from-encampment/",
"first_published_at": "2022-04-07T17:40:41.252968Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-04T22:27:54.577315Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-04T22:27:54.010160Z",
"date": "2022-03-28",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"s5psp\">Kevin Sheehan, a reporter for the New York Post, was assaulted by a man who was being evicted from his makeshift dwelling in Riverbank State Park in New York City on March 28, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"73rda\">According to the <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/26/homeless-man-has-been-nesting-in-nyc-park-tree-for-months/\">Post</a>, the man, Rewell Altunaga, has lived in the park for several months. His eviction came the day after city officials issued a "notice of clean up" in the area of the park where Altunaga was living. Sheehan, who was reporting on the New York Police Department eviction of the area with a colleague, <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/28/nyc-squirrel-man-who-lives-in-park-tree-arrested-in-attack-on-post-reporter/\">captured the assault on video</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7iu2e\">The video shows Altunaga climbing down from a tree and grabbing a tree branch before walking toward Sheehan. Altunaga then asks Sheehan, "Why are you taking pictures?" before hitting Sheehan twice with the tree branch, once on his head, and knocking his phone out of his hand. Sheehan did not respond to requests for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, and it is unclear if his phone was damaged.</p><p data-block-key=\"tpq8\">In the video, Sheehan tells three police officers present about the assault. "This guy just hit me with a stick. You guys can't just let him walk away. That's assault," he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"7nqao\">The video shows NYPD police officers arresting Altunaga after he hit another Post journalist, photographer G.N. Miller, with a garbage bag, causing Miller’s camera to smash to the ground. The Tracker has documented that <a href=\"/all-incidents/new-york-post-photographer-assaulted-by-man-being-evicted-from-encampment/\">assault and equipment damage here.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"epavf\">According to the Post, Altunaga was charged with <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/29/squirrel-man-who-lives-in-manhattan-tree-released-without-bail-in-attack-on-post-reporter/\">second-degree assault</a> and released without bail on March 30. A judge also ordered that he remain clear of journalists Sheehan and Miller. NYPD has acknowledged but not responded to a request for more details.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "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": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-10-11 00:00:00+00:00) Case sealed for man who attacked New York Post reporter"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"encampment"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Kevin Sheehan (New York Post)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "New York Post photographer assaulted by man being evicted from encampment",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/new-york-post-photographer-assaulted-by-man-being-evicted-from-encampment/",
"first_published_at": "2022-04-07T17:43:07.680666Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-04T22:26:00.199804Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-04T22:25:59.986171Z",
"date": "2022-03-28",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"m53qw\">G.N. Miller, a photographer for the New York Post, was assaulted by a man who was being evicted from his makeshift dwelling in Riverbank State Park in New York City on March 28, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"aiqsc\">According to the <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/26/homeless-man-has-been-nesting-in-nyc-park-tree-for-months/\">New York Post</a>, the man, Rewell Altunaga, has lived in the park for several months. His eviction came the day after city officials issued a "notice of clean up" in the area of the park where Altunaga was living. Miller, who was reporting on the New York Police Department eviction of the area with a colleague, <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/28/nyc-squirrel-man-who-lives-in-park-tree-arrested-in-attack-on-post-reporter/\">captured the assault on video</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"acslf\">Miller did not respond to requests for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Miller’s colleague, Post reporter Kevin Sheehan, was <a href=\"/all-incidents/new-york-post-reporter-assaulted-by-man-being-evicted-from-encampment/\">also assaulted by Altunaga</a>. Sheehan filmed NYPD police officers arresting Altunaga after he hit Miller with a garbage bag, causing Miller’s camera to smash to the ground.</p><p data-block-key=\"735a0\">According to the Post, Altunaga was charged with <a href=\"https://nypost.com/2022/03/29/squirrel-man-who-lives-in-manhattan-tree-released-without-bail-in-attack-on-post-reporter/\">second-degree assault</a> and released without bail on March 30. A judge also ordered that he remain clear of journalists Miller and Sheehan. NYPD has acknowledged but not responded to a request for more details.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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,
"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": 1,
"equipment": "camera"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-10-11 00:00:00+00:00) Case sealed for man who attacked New York Post photographer"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"encampment"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"G.N. Miller (New York Post)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "DC reporter subpoenaed by Republican fundraiser over leaked documents",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/dc-reporter-subpoenaed-by-republican-fundraiser-over-leaked-documents/",
"first_published_at": "2024-08-29T15:34:28.204723Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-08-29T15:34:28.204723Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-08-29T15:23:51.208302Z",
"date": "2022-03-23",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"0bilh\">McClatchy reporter Ben Wieder was subpoenaed on March 23, 2022, for documents in a federal suit filed by Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy against agents of the state of Qatar, according to court documents reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"cfqk4\">Broidy had filed a separate subpoena against The Associated Press in connection with the leak of his emails to various news outlets in early 2018. In both the AP’s and Wieder’s cases, the subpoenas were ultimately dropped.</p><p data-block-key=\"810dc\">Broidy had initially filed suit March 2018 in U.S. District Court in California, accusing Qatar, a public relations firm it had employed and the firm’s CEO of hacking into email accounts and computer servers starting in January 2018. He alleged they had stolen his emails and documents and distributed them to the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"9af5s\">Broidy cited articles published in multiple outlets at the time about his anti-Qatar work on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia that appeared to rely on his anonymously leaked emails.</p><p data-block-key=\"euvp5\">The Associated Press also <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/a3521859cf8d4c199cb9a8567abd2b71\">reported</a> that beginning in February 2018, a number of news organizations started to receive “anonymously leaked batches of Broidy’s emails and documents that had apparently been hacked.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3sh6p\">Broidy <a href=\"https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kevincollier/reporters-sources-qatar-revealed-broidy-shield-law\">subpoenaed</a> phone records from the PR firm’s CEO, revealing that he had spoken repeatedly to multiple journalists who then wrote about Broidy. One of these journalists was Wieder, who the records revealed had spoken with the CEO twice in January 2018 and began publishing articles about Broidy the next month.</p><p data-block-key=\"4g4oo\">In May 2018, Broidy <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/republican-fundraiser-subpoenas-ap-documents-related-anonymous-sources/\">subpoenaed the AP</a>, demanding any leaked copies of his emails in their possession and documents that could identify the source of the leak. The outlet does not appear to have complied with the subpoena by the time that suit was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in September.</p><p data-block-key=\"dlppo\">Broidy subsequently filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., against the same public relations firm and CEO. He subpoenaed Wieder in March 2022 for all documents, including reporting materials, and for communications produced between January to August 2018 concerning any of the parties in the suit, the state of Qatar or any associates.</p><p data-block-key=\"cjrme\">The subpoena also demanded any documents related to services Wieder had provided to Qatar or payments he had received from the state or its agents between June 2017 and December 2019.</p><p data-block-key=\"7s1fh\">On April 25, 2022, Wieder filed a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing that the documents requested “go to the heart of the reporter’s privilege: confidential sources, interview notes, story pitches to editors, drafts of stories, and an unending list of other privileged newsgathering materials that Plaintiffs have no right – nor need – to inspect.” He wrote that his records were protected by both the First Amendment and Washington’s Free Flow of Information Act.</p><p data-block-key=\"879ct\">Wieder also argued that his notes and interviews had nothing to do with the alleged hacking and distribution of Broidy’s records, and that the insinuation that he had received payments from Qatar was “offensive.”</p><p data-block-key=\"sssq\">On June 23, Broidy and Wieder filed a joint stipulation to withdraw the subpoena and the motion to quash. Wieder was not subpoenaed again in the suit.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Wieder_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"4rh8z\">A portion of a 2022 subpoena demanding documents from McClatchy reporter Ben Wieder, in Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy’s federal suit alleging that the state of Qatar and its agents hacked his emails.</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": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Ben Wieder (The McClatchy Company)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Photojournalist assaulted in Denver while reporting on city’s efforts to curb crime",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-assaulted-in-denver-while-reporting-on-citys-efforts-to-curb-crime/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-24T20:24:35.224840Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-04-04T20:02:23.618488Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-04-04T20:02:23.561831Z",
"date": "2022-03-21",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Denver",
"longitude": -104.9847,
"latitude": 39.73915,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7c9bo\">An unidentified photojournalist for CBS Denver News was assaulted while on assignment in Denver, Colorado, on March 21, 2022, according to the reporter accompanying him at the time.</p><p data-block-key=\"bb81r\">Kelly Werthmann, a CBS Denver News anchor, was with the photojournalist and witnessed the assault. Werthmann <a href=\"https://denver.cbslocal.com/2022/03/21/denver-crime-union-station-shooting/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter\">said in a newscast</a> after the assault that the incident occurred as the photojournalist gathered video footage of the Union Station and the Regional Transportation District bus terminal in downtown Denver.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ilsb\">“While we were out there earlier today, our photographer was simply trying to get video of the area, and that’s when a man, unprovoked, came over and hit him upside the head and threatened to kill him,” Werthmann said.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Working on a stay about safety around Union Station & the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/RideRTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RideRTD</a> bus terminal here. Just minutes after setting up his camera, my photographer was assaulted. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DenverPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DenverPolice</a> here now taking the report. Thankfully my photog is ok, for the most part. <a href=\"https://t.co/CEgQso19KA\">pic.twitter.com/CEgQso19KA</a></p>— Kelly Werthmann 🌻 (@KellyCBS4) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/KellyCBS4/status/1505983727385653258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 21, 2022</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=\"7c9bo\">Werthmann declined a request for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker but confirmed over email that the photojournalist was not seriously harmed. She also confirmed that no equipment was damaged during the incident, and both continued reporting on their assignments for that day.</p><p data-block-key=\"n9n3\">According to the outlet, the assault comes after a recent wave of violent incidents surrounding Union Station, including <a href=\"https://denver.cbslocal.com/2022/03/20/dominico-archuleta-union-station-shooting/\">a shooting</a> in the station’s underground bus terminal on March 19.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/CBS_News_Denver.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"bljsg\">A CBS Denver News photojournalist was assaulted by an unidentified man on March 21, 2022, at Denver's Union Station, shown in this 2017 file photo.<br/>REUTERS/Rick Wilking</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": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "unknown",
"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": "Colorado",
"abbreviation": "CO"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Unidentified photojournalist 21 (KCNC-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Journalist subpoenaed in connection with blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-23T14:53:02.849522Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-29T16:18:20.854484Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-06-29T16:18:20.740171Z",
"date": "2022-03-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Minneapolis",
"longitude": -93.26384,
"latitude": 44.97997,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"1p1ao\">The City of Minneapolis issued journalist Jared Goyette a subpoena on March 18, 2022, in connection with a pending lawsuit against the city and multiple law enforcement officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"bjgk5\">The Minneapolis Star Tribune <a href=\"https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-serving-subpoenas-on-journalists-in-lawsuit-over-2020-unrest-response/600157398/?refresh=true\">reported</a> that three journalists were ordered to produce a broad range of materials and communications relating to their coverage of protests following the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. The subpoenas were filed in connection with an excessive use of force lawsuit filed by freelance photojournalist Linda Tirado, who was permanently blinded in one eye after police <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-photojournalist-permanently-blinded-others-assaulted-during-minneapolis-protests/\">shot her with a crowd-control munition</a> on May 29.</p><p data-block-key=\"3uve9\">Goyette, who was a freelance journalist at the time and now works for Fox 9, declined to comment further than confirming to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was one of the three journalists subpoenaed. He is also a plaintiff in a separate class-action suit against the city and law enforcement, which <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-struck-in-the-eye-with-less-lethal-round-during-second-day-of-minnesota-protests/#update-337\">recently reached a partial settlement</a> with Minnesota State Patrol.</p><p data-block-key=\"3fn3l\">According to the Star Tribune, the subpoenas order the journalists to produce any images or documents pertaining to their coverage of the protests from May 26-31, 2020, and any communications they may have had with Tirado or her legal counsel, excepting anything that he has “a good faith basis to assert is protected by a legally recognized journalistic privilege.” The journalists were also ordered to appear for depositions via Zoom videoconferencing in late March.</p><p data-block-key=\"dtnci\">The journalists were each also asked for materials related to their own injuries from projectiles that struck them while covering the protests sparked by Floyd’s death. Goyette was struck in the eye with a crowd-control munition while covering protests on May 27. The Tracker has documented that incident <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-struck-in-the-eye-with-less-lethal-round-during-second-day-of-minnesota-protests/\">here</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I got hit in the eye and then tear gassed. <a href=\"https://t.co/wXm1P5yPKb\">pic.twitter.com/wXm1P5yPKb</a></p>— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JaredGoyette/status/1265786797650558976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 27, 2020</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=\"1p1ao\"><a href=\"https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/03/18/minneapolis-city-attorney-subpoenas-reporters-in-police-brutality-suit\">According to MPR News</a>, the city issued similar subpoenas to <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Andy Mannix</a> of the Star Tribune and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/deputy-editor-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Max Nesterak</a> of the Minnesota Reformer.</p><p data-block-key=\"5tkph\">In a statement shared with the Tracker, the City Attorney’s Office said: “The individuals subpoenaed were identified by Plaintiff Linda Tirado as having information relevant to her claims.</p><p data-block-key=\"autnk\">“It is incumbent upon the City Attorney’s Office, as it would be any attorney, to obtain information relevant to their client’s case, whether or not the individuals possessing that information happen to be journalists.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-06-02 10:33:00+00:00) Subpoenas dropped following settlement in blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Black Lives Matter",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jared Goyette (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Deputy editor subpoenaed in connection with blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/deputy-editor-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-23T14:45:01.283931Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-29T16:17:46.621429Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-06-29T16:17:46.514959Z",
"date": "2022-03-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Minneapolis",
"longitude": -93.26384,
"latitude": 44.97997,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"uubim\">The City of Minneapolis issued Minnesota Reformer Deputy Editor Max Nesterak a subpoena on March 18, 2022, in connection with a pending lawsuit against the city and multiple law enforcement officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"eqav8\">The Minneapolis Star Tribune <a href=\"https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-serving-subpoenas-on-journalists-in-lawsuit-over-2020-unrest-response/600157398/?refresh=true\">reported</a> that Nesterak was one of three journalists ordered to produce a broad range of materials and communications relating to their coverage of protests following the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. The subpoenas were filed in connection with an excessive use of force lawsuit filed by freelance photojournalist Linda Tirado, who was permanently blinded in one eye after police <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-photojournalist-permanently-blinded-others-assaulted-during-minneapolis-protests/\">shot her with a crowd-control munition</a> on May 29.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvnlh\">Nesterak, who declined to comment on advice from counsel, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/maxnesterak/status/1504919070575005699\">confirmed</a> on Twitter that he was one of the journalists served with a subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"48o4g\">In a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/maxnesterak/status/1504919422787624961\">subsequent post</a>, Nesterak included a photo of the subpoena, which orders him to bring “all videos, photographs, recordings, communications, documents, or other items in your possession (including social media posts) that are related to you being hit in the chest as stated in your tweet from 11:32 p.m. on May 27, 2020.” The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented that incident <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalists-hit-less-lethal-rounds-during-second-day-minnesota-protests/\">here</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And I got hit in the chest by a rubber bullet from police. Covered me in dust that’s been making me cough for a half hour. I’m home now. <a href=\"https://t.co/sYShFOjvQO\">pic.twitter.com/sYShFOjvQO</a></p>— Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/maxnesterak/status/1265863514754813952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 28, 2020</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=\"uubim\">The subpoena also orders Nesterak to produce any images or documents pertaining to his coverage of the protests from May 26-31, 2020, and any communications he may have had with Tirado or her legal counsel, excepting anything that he has “a good faith basis to assert is protected by a legally recognized journalistic privilege.”</p><p data-block-key=\"185f9\"><a href=\"https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/03/18/minneapolis-city-attorney-subpoenas-reporters-in-police-brutality-suit\">According to MPR News</a>, the city issued similar subpoenas to <a href=\"/all-incidents/reporter-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Andy Mannix</a> of the Star Tribune and <a href=\"/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Jared Goyette</a>, who was a freelance journalist during the protests and now works for Fox 9.</p><p data-block-key=\"9t57l\">The City Attorney’s Office shared a statement with the Tracker that said the individuals subpoenaed were identified by Tirado as having relevant information.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ndg9\">“It is incumbent upon the City Attorney’s Office, as it would be any attorney, to obtain information relevant to their client’s case, whether or not the individuals possessing that information happen to be journalists.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dgjbu\">In a statement shared with the Tracker, Reformer Editor-in-Chief J. Patrick Coolican said the outlet intends to fight the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"8mhm3\">“This ham-handed effort to intimidate journalists with a burdensome legal action will not achieve its intended effect,” Coolican said. “Quite the contrary. We will continue to aggressively pursue our reporting, and protect our newsgathering rights from interference by government officials.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-06-02 10:34:00+00:00) Subpoenas dropped following settlement in blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Black Lives Matter",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Max Nesterak (Minnesota Reformer)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Reporter subpoenaed in connection with blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-23T14:48:55.597992Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-29T16:18:04.137153Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-06-29T16:18:04.001747Z",
"date": "2022-03-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Minneapolis",
"longitude": -93.26384,
"latitude": 44.97997,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hozcv\">The City of Minneapolis issued Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Andy Mannix a subpoena on March 18, 2022, in connection with a pending lawsuit against the city and multiple law enforcement officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"cefrv\">The Star Tribune <a href=\"https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-serving-subpoenas-on-journalists-in-lawsuit-over-2020-unrest-response/600157398/?refresh=true\">reported</a> that Mannix was one of three journalists ordered to produce a broad range of materials and communications relating to their coverage of protests following the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. The subpoenas were filed in connection with an excessive use of force lawsuit filed by freelance photojournalist Linda Tirado, who was permanently blinded in one eye after police <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-photojournalist-permanently-blinded-others-assaulted-during-minneapolis-protests/\">shot her with a crowd-control munition</a> on May 29.</p><p data-block-key=\"419cp\">Mannix declined to comment on advice from counsel.</p><p data-block-key=\"fb23d\">According to the Star Tribune, the subpoenas order the journalists to produce any images or documents pertaining to their coverage of the protests from May 26-31, 2020, and any communications they may have had with Tirado or her legal counsel, excepting anything that he has “a good faith basis to assert is protected by a legally recognized journalistic privilege.” The journalists were also ordered to appear for depositions via Zoom videoconferencing in late March.</p><p data-block-key=\"8nljl\">Mannix was also asked for materials related to his thigh injury from a projectile that struck him while he was covering protests on May 26, 2020, the day after Floyd’s death. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documented that incident <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalists-struck-projectiles-while-covering-minneapolis-protest/\">here</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I Was just shot with this in the thigh. <a href=\"https://t.co/igcJ3e7iQ4\">pic.twitter.com/igcJ3e7iQ4</a></p>— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/AndrewMannix/status/1265447846079315973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 27, 2020</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=\"hozcv\"><a href=\"https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/03/18/minneapolis-city-attorney-subpoenas-reporters-in-police-brutality-suit\">According to MPR News</a>, the city issued similar subpoenas to <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/deputy-editor-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Max Nesterak</a> of the Minnesota Reformer and <a href=\"/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-in-connection-with-blinded-photojournalists-lawsuit/\">Jared Goyette</a>, who was a freelance journalist during the protests and now works for Fox 9.</p><p data-block-key=\"2iu98\">In a statement shared with the Tracker, the City Attorney’s Office said: “The individuals subpoenaed were identified by Plaintiff Linda Tirado as having information relevant to her claims.</p><p data-block-key=\"borth\">“It is incumbent upon the City Attorney’s Office, as it would be any attorney, to obtain information relevant to their client’s case, whether or not the individuals possessing that information happen to be journalists.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cs4r0\">Suki Dardarian, senior managing editor and vice president of the Star Tribune, said in a statement to the outlet, “We are reviewing the issue, but we expect to challenge the subpoena.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Mannix_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"v53xi\">A portion of the subpoena issued to Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Andy Mannix, who was struck with a crowd-control munition while covering protests in Minnesota in May 2020.</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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-06-02 09:58:00+00:00) Subpoenas dropped following settlement in blinded photojournalist’s lawsuit"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Black Lives Matter",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Andy Mannix (Minneapolis Star Tribune)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Tulsa multimedia journalist shot with pellet gun while preparing for live shot",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tulsa-multimedia-journalist-shot-with-pellet-gun-while-preparing-for-live-shot/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-30T15:38:08.898107Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-03-31T16:34:45.623710Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-03-31T16:34:45.552200Z",
"date": "2022-03-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Tulsa",
"longitude": -95.99277,
"latitude": 36.15398,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"1j784\">Katie Keleher, a multimedia journalist with NBC-affiliated station KJRH-TV, was shot with a pellet gun while reporting in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 16, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"eldkk\">KJRH <a href=\"https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/tulsa-police-looking-into-pellet-gun-shootings\">reported</a> that Keleher was preparing for a live shot just before 10 p.m. near the corner of Reconciliation Way and Main Street when a group of people pulled up in a car. One of the individuals pointed a pellet gun out of the window and shot at Keleher and her photographer. </p><p data-block-key=\"ergs4\">“We picked that area because as journalists, we think about our safety first, and I felt safe in that spot,” Keleher told the station. “All of a sudden, I felt something hitting my back and I just froze. Just little pellets and I just remember my jaw dropping and I just froze in fear."</p><p data-block-key=\"aud1o\">Keleher <a href=\"https://twitter.com/KKeleherKJRH/status/1504846253670154284\">wrote on Twitter</a> that she was struck in the back with around five pellets, but that her photographer, whom she identified as Marisa, wasn’t hit. </p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The past couple of days are a lot to process. <br><br>I was shot at by a pellet gun while preparing for my 10pm live shot in downtown Tulsa Wednesday night. I was hit in the back about five times. My photographer, Marisa, was not hit. But she did catch it on camera. (1/4)</p>— Katie Keleher (@KKeleherKJRH) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/KKeleherKJRH/status/1504846253670154284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 18, 2022</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=\"1j784\">“Thankfully, the puffy jacket I was wearing softened the blow. If not for that, I would probably have bruises all over my back,” Keleher <a href=\"https://twitter.com/KKeleherKJRH/status/1504846254949515265\">wrote</a> in a follow-up tweet.</p><p data-block-key=\"70hsc\">Keleher told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that while the individuals would have seen the broadcast camera and lighting rig, she didn’t think she was targeted for being a journalist.</p><p data-block-key=\"76aup\">“Police video shows them driving down the street further and shooting at someone sitting outside of a restaurant, so I think it was just because I was standing there on the corner,” Keleher said. </p><p data-block-key=\"eqcpa\">The Tulsa Police Department said they are searching for a tan Nissan sedan in connection with the attack and released <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/100064589030710/videos/pcb.329100219252943/536522354529300\">footage</a> on Facebook on March 21 asking for the public’s help in identifying the shooters.</p><p data-block-key=\"9542k\">Michael Perry, senior director of external communication at KJRH’s parent company Scripps, told the Tracker that police have not updated the station with any information since the attack.</p><p data-block-key=\"1dclr\"><a href=\"https://www.fox23.com/news/tulsa-police-say-dangerous-tiktok-trend-has-been-showing-up-city/GA7BTKYVJ5EGFMDFP272OZMNAA/\">According to Fox23</a>, multiple individuals have been shot with pellet guns in recent weeks and the incidents may be part of a social media trend. The TPD did not respond to requests about whether the incidents are related or provide further information.</p><p data-block-key=\"etab9\">“Police are saying this is part of a TikTok trend and I’ve seen it happening in other states, and I just don’t understand why anyone would think it was okay to do that, why it’s funny,” Keleher said. “I was pretty scared for a couple days after and it was definitely a terrifying and traumatizing experience and I was just standing on a corner trying to do my job.”</p><p data-block-key=\"alu12\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include comment from Katie Keleher.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/OK_Keleher.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"b9332\">This frame from footage provided to Tulsa Police shows KJRH-TV journalist Katie Keleher moments before individuals in the car behind her shot at her with a pellet gun as she prepared for a live shot on March 16, 2022.</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": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "no",
"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": "Oklahoma",
"abbreviation": "OK"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Katie Keleher (KJRH-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Judge will review her order forcing Berkshire Eagle editor to turn over reporting notes",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/judge-will-review-her-order-forcing-berkshire-eagle-editor-to-turn-over-reporting-notes/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-30T21:19:31.726113Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-04-01T16:44:19.149201Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-04-01T16:44:19.037482Z",
"date": "2022-03-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Springfield",
"longitude": -72.58981,
"latitude": 42.10148,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kq10s\">A Massachusetts Superior Court judge said during a Sept. 22, 2022, hearing that she would reexamine her previous decision forcing a Berkshire Eagle editor to turnover his confidential reporting notes as part of a clergy abuse lawsuit.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvvse\">According <a href=\"https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/roman-catholic-diocese-of-springfield-bishop-christoper-weldon-first-amendment-confidential-sources-journalism-sexual-abuse/article_767da1aa-39d8-11ed-bc93-638710b58bda.html\">to the Eagle</a>, Larry Parnass, managing editor for innovation at the Berkshire Eagle, published more than a dozen news stories since 2019 on sexual abuse allegation cover-ups involving the Springfield Diocese. As part of a lawsuit, the diocese subpoenaed Parnass this March, seeking his testimony and a broad array of reporting materials it said were needed to verify the consistency of claims made to investigators and a review board. Attorneys for the Eagle objected to the order, arguing that turning over the materials would compromise a confidential source.</p><p data-block-key=\"8sg3m\">Parnass and the Eagles’ attorney, Jeffrey Pyle, did not respond to requests for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"efarp\">In a ruling this summer, Judge Karin L. Goodwin upheld the subpoena but narrowed the scope to materials she believed did not include identifying information of confidential sources.</p><p data-block-key=\"6sqo\">During the September 2022 hearing, Pyle argued the diocese’s requests for information did not overcome the First Amendment and was not significant enough to violate a reporter’s confidential relationship with a source, <a href=\"https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/springfield-roman-catholic-diocese-clergy-abuse-rape-christopher-weldon-confidential-sources-first-amendment/article_8e411e68-3abc-11ed-83a3-c7cb7246442d.html\">the Eagle reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7a8c7\">“This story would never have been published by The Berkshire Eagle had not Mr. Parnass been able to ensure confidential sources of his promise not to reveal their identities, and in that respect, this case is much like many other cases that have involved award-winning, societally important journalism,” Pyle said during the hearing. “The stakes are very high here.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bp0sj\">Goodwin said she would reexamine her previous ruling allowing the subpoena to move forward in part. She did not say when she would release that decision.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Massachusetts",
"abbreviation": "MA"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-10-03 19:04:00+00:00) Revising her own order, judge rules editor doesn’t have to turn over confidential reporting"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Larry Parnass (The Berkshire Eagle)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"upheld"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Louisiana photojournalist assaulted during investigation of mistaken release of convict",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/louisiana-photojournalist-assaulted-during-investigation-of-mistaken-release-of-convict/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-10T18:58:25.822904Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-03-08T21:19:22.412886Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-03-08T21:19:22.277715Z",
"date": "2022-03-03",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Tangipahoa Parish",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"oen14\">WWL-TV photojournalist T.J. Pipitone and a colleague were assaulted by an individual while reporting on the mistaken release of a convicted pedophile in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, on March 3, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"a4d13\">In a <a href=\"https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/investigations/serial-child-molester-erroneously-set-free-returned-to-prison-wwl-tv-investigation/289-1ba35959-ccd5-4c36-ae4b-15089c7fa2ea\">report</a> for the broadcast station, reporter David Hammer said that he and the photojournalist had gone to the home of Brian David Matherne for comment after he was released more than seven years early from his nearly 30-year sentence. The journalists did not know at the time that Matherne had been imprisoned again after some victims alerted the state Department of Corrections of the error.</p><p data-block-key=\"3mb6u\">“Before we could approach the trailer, we were attacked by the owner of the property — Bruce Verdin — who was arrested by Tangipahoa Sheriff’s deputies,” Hammer said.</p><p data-block-key=\"958mj\">WWL-TV reported that Verdin, who is Matherne’s brother-in-law, attacked the journalists with a wrench and attempted to hit the photojournalist with his truck. In footage of the incident, Verdin can be seen repeatedly striking out at the journalists and their camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"e53su\">Hammer, who did not respond to requests for comment, identified himself and photojournalist T.J. Pipitone as the journalists attacked in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499590167379730444\">tweet</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Had quite a day. My <a href=\"https://twitter.com/WWLTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WWLTV</a> investigation got a serial child molester put back in prison after his erroneous early release. Then photographer <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TJPIPITONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TJPIPITONE</a> and I got attacked. See the details next at 10:00 on Channel 4.</p>— David Hammer (@davidhammerWWL) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499590167379730444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 4, 2022</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=\"oen14\">In response to a note asking if they were OK, Hammer <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499686809000886276\">wrote</a> that they had suffered “just a couple bumps and bruises.” Pipitone also did not respond to messages requesting comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"drrjg\">The station reported that the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office arrested Verdin on three counts of aggravated battery and a count of aggravated destruction of property. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was not able to verify whether any of the journalists’ equipment was damaged in the assault.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "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": "Louisiana",
"abbreviation": "LA"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-03-23 09:57:00+00:00) Louisiana photojournalist hit by car, knocked into ditch",
"(2023-03-06 16:19:00+00:00) Man sentenced for assault of reporter, photojournalist"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"T.J. Pipitone (WWL-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Louisiana reporter assaulted during investigation of mistaken release of convict",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/louisiana-reporter-assaulted-during-investigation-of-mistaken-release-of-convict/",
"first_published_at": "2022-03-10T19:02:09.050373Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-26T15:00:35.542806Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-10-26T15:00:35.360291Z",
"date": "2022-03-03",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Tangipahoa Parish",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"dxwer\">WWL-TV reporter David Hammer and a colleague were assaulted by an individual while reporting on the mistaken release of a convicted pedophile in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, on March 3, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"25tev\">In a <a href=\"https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/investigations/serial-child-molester-erroneously-set-free-returned-to-prison-wwl-tv-investigation/289-1ba35959-ccd5-4c36-ae4b-15089c7fa2ea\">report</a> for the broadcast station, Hammer said that he and a photojournalist had gone to the home of Brian David Matherne for comment after he was released more than seven years early from his nearly 30-year sentence. The journalists did not know at the time that Matherne had been imprisoned again after some victims alerted the state Department of Corrections of the error.</p><p data-block-key=\"4uguj\">“Before we could approach the trailer, we were attacked by the owner of the property — Bruce Verdin — who was arrested by Tangipahoa Sheriff’s deputies,” Hammer said.</p><p data-block-key=\"5h83v\">WWL-TV reported that Verdin, who is Matherne’s brother-in-law, attacked the journalists with a wrench and attempted to hit the photojournalist with his truck. In footage of the incident, Verdin can be seen repeatedly striking out at the journalists and their camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"1jiac\">Hammer, who did not respond to requests for comment, identified himself and photojournalist T.J. Pipitone as the journalists attacked in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499590167379730444\">tweet</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Had quite a day. My <a href=\"https://twitter.com/WWLTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WWLTV</a> investigation got a serial child molester put back in prison after his erroneous early release. Then photographer <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TJPIPITONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TJPIPITONE</a> and I got attacked. See the details next at 10:00 on Channel 4.</p>— David Hammer (@davidhammerWWL) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499590167379730444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 4, 2022</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=\"dxwer\">In response to a note asking if they were OK, Hammer <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1499686809000886276\">wrote</a> that they had suffered “just a couple bumps and bruises.”</p><p data-block-key=\"djt2u\">In a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/davidhammerWWL/status/1502280403805249536\">tweet</a> a week after the incident, Hammer confirmed that Verdin smashed Hammer’s cellphone that he was using to film the attack.</p><p data-block-key=\"5545o\">The station reported that the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office arrested Verdin on three counts of aggravated battery and a count of aggravated destruction of property. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was not able to verify whether any of the journalists’ equipment was damaged in the assault.</p><p data-block-key=\"bp1rs\"><i>Editor’s note: This article has been updated with information concerning the damage to David Hammer’s cellphone during the incident.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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,
"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": 1,
"equipment": "cellphone"
},
{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "recording equipment"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Louisiana",
"abbreviation": "LA"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-03-23 09:56:00+00:00) Louisiana reporter struck with pliers, phone damaged",
"(2023-03-06 16:17:00+00:00) Man sentenced for assault of reporter, photojournalist"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"David Hammer (WWL-TV)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Utah Senate becomes third state legislature this year to limit journalists’ access",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/utah-senate-becomes-third-state-legislature-this-year-to-limit-journalists-access/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-28T17:57:10.334323Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-20T21:01:48.303268Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-20T21:01:48.210256Z",
"date": "2022-02-15",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salt Lake City",
"longitude": -111.89105,
"latitude": 40.76078,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"r06a4\">Republican leaders in the Utah State Senate pushed through a rule change limiting press access to the chamber, halls, lounge and committee rooms on Feb. 15, 2022, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.</p><p data-block-key=\"6giq9\">The <a href=\"https://le.utah.gov/~2022/bills/static/SR0001.html\">rule change</a> requires that journalists receive permission from a “Senate media designee” in order to have access to the Senate floor and adjacent hallways to conduct a specific interview and be escorted out of the area when it is completed. Journalists also must ask permission from the committee chair to film or take pictures from behind the dias. The resolution passed 17 to 5, the Tribune <a href=\"https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/02/15/republicans-utah-senate/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"5m7su\">Traditionally, members of the press were allowed on the floor of both the House and Senate, as well as in some areas that are not open to the public, <a href=\"https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/2/9/22925708/utah-senate-rule-to-limit-press-access-capitol-hill-government-transparency-legislature-media\">according to Deseret News</a>. The policies changed during the coronavirus pandemic and the Senate vote made some of the restrictions permanent.</p><p data-block-key=\"9m9k1\">FOX 13 reporter Ben Winslow told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker via email that there had been some rumblings that lawmakers were upset with one or more reporters for eavesdropping on conversations and “skulking” around the chamber.</p><p data-block-key=\"eshh0\">“Looking back over the years, this may have been building with a few complaints about reporters going into areas lawmakers felt they shouldn’t be in, and it’s not the first time we’ve had to challenge rules limiting press access,” Winslow wrote. “In COVID, access to the chambers unescorted was completely cut off and I don’t see it coming back.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ebt7n\">Sen. Mike McKell, the sponsor of the measure, cited security concerns as the primary concern behind the policy shift, according to the Tribune, though members of the press are required to submit to yearly background checks as part of the credentialing process.</p><p data-block-key=\"10fu5\">McKell also dismissed concerns that the change limits the media’s access, citing the Senate’s daily media availability.</p><p data-block-key=\"8n730\">“The Senate has a long-standing tradition of holding media availability. That’s not going to change. That happens every single day after floor time,” McKell told the Tribune. According to the newspaper, senators have spent an average of about 13 minutes taking questions during such sessions during the 2022 legislative session.</p><p data-block-key=\"dii9c\">McKell did not respond to requests for further comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ikvp\">According to the Tribune, other Senate Republicans noted that committee meetings and floor debates are now routinely livestreamed, a measure put in place during the pandemic.</p><p data-block-key=\"3im6h\">The policy change was met with criticism from <a href=\"https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2022/2/10/22926428/utah-legislature-senate-rules-sr1-reporters-need-permission-to-interview\">local</a> <a href=\"https://universe.byu.edu/2022/02/17/opinion-proposed-rules-for-utah-journalists-hurt-everyone/\">journalists</a> and national press freedom organizations, particularly as Republican legislators in both <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalists-removed-from-iowa-senate-floor-overturning-a-century-old-practice/\">Iowa</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalists-moved-from-kansas-senate-floor-to-public-gallery-for-new-legislative-session/\">Kansas</a> announced similar policy shifts limiting press access to the senate floor in 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"4pr06\">“Given that it can be difficult to locate any particular member of the Senate, rushing as they are between the floor, committee hearings and offices, this access has been crucial to journalists in their efforts to give their audience a full picture of what’s happening,” the Tribune’s Editorial Board <a href=\"https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2022/02/04/reporters-lawmakers-both/\">wrote</a>. “Removing it can only serve to help senators avoid public scrutiny.”</p><p data-block-key=\"74hrh\">Winslow told the Tracker he spoke against the bill during the public comment period, highlighting that often he needs only 30 seconds to get clarification on a bill and that the rule is impractical.</p><p data-block-key=\"dqq4u\">“We sometimes roll into a committee hearing mid-way through a bill and how do I get the permission of the committee chair without interrupting everything?” Winslow wrote. “One senator said there was a logic to my argument there. They still voted to pass the rule.”</p><p data-block-key=\"e8i3l\">Winslow did note that, despite the new rules, none of his station’s photographers have been prevented from filming from locations they have used in the past.</p><p data-block-key=\"2k2l9\">“One committee chair saw us walk into his hearing mid-meeting and he stood up and walked over to motion the photographer up, which is a really nice sign that they still want us there,” Winslow wrote. He added that the policy change has built up momentum for formalizing a Capitol press corps that may ultimately lead to improved access and credentialing.</p><p data-block-key=\"b68uj\">Bridger Beal-Cvetko, a reporter at Salt Lake City-based newspaper The Deseret News, said he also hasn’t experienced any changes to access, but that he is concerned that the new rule paves a path for blocking access down the line.</p><p data-block-key=\"f5k0e\">“The worry that a lot of people have is that it’s great that they allow access most of the time, but if there’s a controversial bill or an unpopular discussion that’s happening they could decide not to give the same level of access, and that’s concerning to a lot of people,” Beal-Cvetko told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"d55uk\">The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-iowa-legislature-4688b35753bf6ec86c2d8224b6e5bb00\">reported</a> that the rule changes are now advancing through the Utah House.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "Utah",
"abbreviation": "UT"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-02-28 15:22:00+00:00) Utah House revises procedures around media access"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Media"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"State government: Legislature"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": [
"Change in policy or practice"
]
},
{
"title": "Subpoena for ABC News’ reporting materials on a ‘Real Housewives’ cast member quashed",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/subpoena-for-abc-news-reporting-materials-on-a-real-housewives-cast-member-quashed/",
"first_published_at": "2022-05-09T20:00:26.742349Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-05-09T20:03:15.898486Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-05-09T20:03:15.849821Z",
"date": "2022-02-11",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "New York",
"longitude": -74.00597,
"latitude": 40.71427,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"geuyt\">On May 5, 2022, a United States District Court judge <a href=\"https://medialaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/05.05.22shah.pdf\">quashed a subpoena</a> issued to ABC News seeking footage, documents and journalist communications as part of a criminal lawsuit involving a cast member from the television show "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City."</p><p data-block-key=\"e3qe9\">According to court documents, ABC News aired a documentary featuring cast member Jennifer Shah and her alleged involvement in a telemarketing fraud scheme. Shah issued a subpoena to ABC News on Feb. 11, 2022, requesting seven categories of documents, including all video footage, documents, interviewer notes and identification of all government agents and members of the prosecution who provided the news outlet with information.</p><p data-block-key=\"bcqd2\">According to court documents, Eileen Murphy, the senior editorial producer of the documentary, said thousands of documents and materials were collected as part of the reporting process. ABC News staffers also interviewed non-confidential and confidential sources but did not interview any prosecutors involved in the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"cb4ev\">Lawyers for ABC News filed a motion to quash the subpoena on Feb. 25, 2022, stating the information requested was protected under journalists' privilege and was "unreasonable or oppressive" under <a href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp/rule_17\">the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure, Rule 17</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"8gtv7\">U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein heard oral arguments on April 25. In granting the motion to quash on May 5, Stein wrote that the request did not overcome journalistic privilege and did not meet the requirements set out in <a href=\"https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/418/683/\">United States v. Nixon</a>, that materials must be “relevant, specifically identified, admissible, and not otherwise procurable by due diligence."</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screen_Shot_2022-05-09_at_4.01.50.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"ABC News"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"quashed"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Multimedia journalist assaulted while reporting from scene of Providence shootout",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/multimedia-journalist-assaulted-while-reporting-from-scene-of-providence-shootout/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-17T20:25:34.182788Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-02-17T20:25:34.182788Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-02-17T20:25:34.120698Z",
"date": "2022-02-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Providence",
"longitude": -71.41283,
"latitude": 41.82399,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"55127\">WJAR-TV multimedia journalist Joanna Bouras was pushed into a concrete wall by an individual while reporting from the scene of a shootout in Providence, Rhode Island, on Feb. 10, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"d47jn\">The Providence Journal <a href=\"https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2022/02/11/providence-gunman-son-assaulted-journalist-television-reporter-police-say/6758418001/\">reported</a> that Bouras was covering a domestic disturbance that resulted in a gunfight between police and a 61-year-old man in the early hours of Feb. 10. A part of the house caught fire during the confrontation, and the man was found dead after the blaze was extinguished.</p><p data-block-key=\"3sb8g\">WJAR spokesperson Jessica Bellucci told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that police on the scene informed Bouras and photographer Bray Beardsley that the man’s family was on the way to the house and asked them to move their vehicle around the corner.</p><p data-block-key=\"42apm\">Shortly after 5 p.m., the man’s son — identified as Joshua Maclean — confronted Bouras as she was filming, yelling at her and pushing her hard enough to cause her “to fall into a concrete wall,” the Journal reported.</p><p data-block-key=\"1gat0\">“Bray did not see Joshua Maclean approaching because he had panned the camera to show the house in the background,” Bellucci said. “As the crew had chosen to set up close to police, officers responded in seconds, apprehending and arresting Maclean.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dqma3\">Bellucci confirmed that Bouras was not injured in the attack and plans to press charges.</p><p data-block-key=\"87lud\">Police Cmdr. Thomas Verdi told the Journal that Maclean has been charged with simple assault. Providence Police Department Public Information Officer Lindsay Lague told the Tracker they are only able to release police reports following in-person requests at their records bureau.</p><p data-block-key=\"68oc\">Bouras thanked the Journal for reporting on the story in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JoannaBouras/status/1492342327490367489\">tweet</a>, writing, “I want to be EXTREMELY clear, no one should EVER touch a TV Reporter or anyone who is trying to do their job.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Thank you <a href=\"https://twitter.com/projo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@projo</a> for bringing light to this. I want to be EXTREMELY clear, no one should EVER touch a TV Reporter or anyone who is trying to do their job. <a href=\"https://t.co/QKeVWi79Px\">https://t.co/QKeVWi79Px</a></p>— Joanna Bouras (@JoannaBouras) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JoannaBouras/status/1492342327490367489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 12, 2022</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=\"55127\">Bouras did not respond separately to a request for further comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "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": "Rhode Island",
"abbreviation": "RI"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Joanna Bouras (WJAR)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Minneapolis to pay $100,000 settlement over public records lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/minneapolis-to-pay-100000-settlement-over-public-records-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-11T17:06:07.699613Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-03-10T16:51:34.446451Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-03-10T16:51:34.357193Z",
"date": "2022-01-27",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Minneapolis",
"longitude": -93.26384,
"latitude": 44.97997,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"3dbz4\">The City of Minneapolis approved a <a href=\"https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-to-pay-journalist-100k-settlement-over-public-record-requests/600140804/\">$100,000 settlement</a> on Jan. 27, 2022, over a public records lawsuit brought by Tony Webster, a local independent journalist.</p><p data-block-key=\"3kmn5\">Webster told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was pleased with the outcome but believes the city missed an opportunity to enact changes to public records law.</p><p data-block-key=\"ekh2h\">"In a public records lawsuit, getting the records is of course a win, and paying the legal costs makes it all that much better," Webster said. "But at the same time, I'm disappointed. I wanted a court's finding that the City broke the law, and I wanted an order requiring them to make improvements to their processes to ensure that it doesn't happen again."</p><p data-block-key=\"fqi7m\">Webster said he started examining the disciplinary process for Minneapolis police officers in 2019. He filed public records requests with the Minneapolis Police Department but sued after waiting more than seven months and not receiving a single file.</p><p data-block-key=\"2nd28\">The police department eventually produced more than 3,300 disciplinary files through the lawsuit, which Webster used in published investigations on police accountability.</p><p data-block-key=\"36oa7\">The city council<a href=\"https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/MetaData/24663/2022A-0053_Id_24663.pdf\"> approved the settlement unanimously</a> and it was later signed by the mayor.</p><p data-block-key=\"7lmr8\">"I believe in the Public's right to know what their government is doing on their behalf," Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins told the Tracker. "Subsequently, I also believe that there are times when FOIA requests encompass large amounts of information that is not always easily accessed and compiled. I think that reasonable concessions could be made on behalf of some requesters to allow time to meet the requests being made."</p><p data-block-key=\"7e7pc\">Webster, who said the settlement amount will go toward paying legal fees, said he is still optimistic it will prompt widespread change.</p><p data-block-key=\"6vbjq\">“I'm hopeful that the settlement will send a signal to records officials that they need to take their obligations under the law more seriously,” he said. “There are consequences to thwarting the public's right to know.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"public records"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Tony Webster (Independent)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Massachusetts city ordered to pay legal fees to news outlet for violating public records law",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/city-of-worcester-massachusetts-ordered-to-pay-legal-fees-to-news-outlet-for-violating-public-records-law/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-04T17:18:59.477372Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-03-20T20:50:25.638900Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-03-20T20:50:25.359022Z",
"date": "2022-01-26",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Worcester",
"longitude": -71.80229,
"latitude": 42.26259,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vjnjz\">The City of Worcester was ordered to pay more than $100,000 in legal fees and $5,000 in punitive damages after a Massachusetts judge ruled on Jan. 26, 2022, that the city acted in bad faith when it violated public records statute by illegally withholding police records from the Telegram & Gazette in 2018.</p><p data-block-key=\"b7m5b\">Superior Court Judge Janet Kenton-Walker ruled in favor of the Telegram & Gazette in June 2021 and found that the city improperly withheld thousands of pages of police investigations and disciplinary records from the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"8uhee\">Telegram & Gazette Executive Editor David Norman said in the outlet’s <a href=\"https://www.telegram.com/story/news/courts/2021/06/11/worcester-police-public-records-law-telegram-gazette-superior-court/7547002002/\">article on the ruling that</a> it was “not a victory for the newspaper alone, but a victory for the people of Worcester. We will continue to work for them by holding those in power accountable.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cvl1\">In January, Kenton-Walker <a href=\"https://princelobel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Memorandum-of-Decision-and-Order-on-Ps-Motion-for-Permanent-Injuntion-....pdf\">ruled</a> that the city attempted to justify withholding the requested police department records by citing “cherry-picked” language from past litigation and “taking it out of context.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5df44\">“Counsel may not misrepresent to the court what cases and other materials stand for,” Kenton-Walker wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"6bl26\">The city was <a href=\"https://qmr.news/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Gatehouse-Litigation-Ruling-on-Legal-Fees-2022-01-26.pdf\">ordered</a> to pay a total of $100,949 to the Telegram & Gazette for attorneys fees and costs. The $5,000 in punitive damages will be deposited into a public fund to help improve municipal public records compliance. According to the <a href=\"https://www.telegram.com/story/news/courts/2022/02/01/judge-rules-city-of-worcester-acted-in-bad-faith-in-telegram-gazette-police-dept-records-lawsuit/9275946002/\">Telegram & Gazette</a>, this appears to be the first punitive penalty of its kind since the state passed <a href=\"https://malegislature.gov/laws/sessionlaws/acts/2016/chapter121\">an act to improve public records</a> in 2016.</p><p data-block-key=\"aa2gn\">“Hopefully this ruling will cause other public bodies to think twice before denying public records based on weak and strained legal arguments,” Jeffrey J. Pyle, the lawyer who represented Telegram & Gazette, told the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"flld3\">City Solicitor Michael E. Traynor said in a statement to the outlet that the city did not agree with the ruling but will not appeal the decision. “The city always acts in good faith and we maintain our position that we did so in this case,” he wrote. “However, the court has spoken and we will move on.”</p><p data-block-key=\"81eu5\">Traynor did not respond to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker’s request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"fqqmd\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to clarify the amount awarded to the Telegram & Gazette in Superior Court Judge Janet Kenton-Walker’s January 2022 ruling and to correct quotations from the ruling.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screenshot_2024-03-19_at_11.26.32.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"pc9mk\">A portion of a public records lawsuit the Telegram & Gazette filed against the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2018. The city agreed to pay the newspaper $180,000 in March 2023 after a judge ruled it had wrongfully withheld the records.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "1885CV01526",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"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": "Massachusetts",
"abbreviation": "MA"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-03-01 00:00:00+00:00) City of Worcester pays local newspaper $180,000 to settle public records lawsuit"
],
"case_statuses": [
"settled"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Telegram & Gazette"
],
"tags": [
"public records"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Tennessee state representative introduces resolution to reprimand AP for reporting",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tennessee-state-representative-introduces-resolution-to-reprimand-associated-press-for-reporting/",
"first_published_at": "2022-01-25T18:56:18.815254Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:13:47.300787Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:13:47.195356Z",
"date": "2022-01-20",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Nashville",
"longitude": -86.78444,
"latitude": 36.16589,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"blvws\">A Tennessee state representative filed a joint resolution on Jan. 20, 2022, to reprimand The Associated Press following its investigation of racism in the United States military.</p><p data-block-key=\"4leqm\">The <a href=\"https://capitol.tn.gov/Bills/112/Bill/HJR0709.pdf\">resolution</a> was introduced by Rep. Bud Hulsey, a Republican, in response to AP’s May 2021 investigation, “<a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/us-military-racism-discrimination-4e840e0acc7ef07fd635a312d9375413\">Deep-rooted racism, discrimination permeate US military.</a>” The resolution states AP journalists engaged “in the lowest form of yellow journalism and should be held accountable by the American public and their elected officials” with a reprimand from the General Assembly.</p><p data-block-key=\"b8es6\">Tennessee outlet <a href=\"https://www.wjhl.com/news/politics/tn-lawmaker-files-to-reprimand-the-associated-press/\">WJHL</a> said there are no other instances of state officials reprimanding news organizations. Hulsey’s office did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"8knrf\">AP spokesperson Lauren Easton told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that “The Associated Press stands by its reporting,” and referred the Tracker to an AP article on Tennessee’s Black lawmakers efforts to “<a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-legislature-tennessee-27ccd42773f2aa0b212a4950966f5b1c\">raise awareness about structural racism</a>.”</p><p data-block-key=\"jta7\">Kat Stafford, the lead reporter on the AP investigation, tweeted on Jan. 21 that the resolution was a “career first” and that the AP stands behind the reporting.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A career first: A Republican state legislator in Tennessee introduced a resolution Thursday in response to our AP investigation of racism in the U.S. military. He accused us of “incendiary journalism” & wants the legislature to “reprimand the AP.” We stand by our reporting. <a href=\"https://t.co/PIWx7hbixa\">pic.twitter.com/PIWx7hbixa</a></p>— Kat Stafford (@kat__stafford) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kat__stafford/status/1484646072823787522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 21, 2022</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=\"blvws\">Stafford also wrote that she and her colleagues spent nearly a year on the investigation and interviewed dozens of service members and experts. “We poured over copious documents & FOIAs. We did our homework.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3riav\">In response to Stafford’s tweets, AP Executive Editor Julie Pace echoed support for the investigation, tweeting “Indeed - we stand by our reporting, and our reporters.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Indeed - we stand by our reporting, and our reporters. <a href=\"https://t.co/KCnInXcJvh\">https://t.co/KCnInXcJvh</a></p>— Julie Pace (@JuliePace) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JuliePace/status/1485231633993289733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 23, 2022</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=\"cqcqt\"><i>Note: This article was amended to include comment from the Associated Press.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"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": "Tennessee",
"abbreviation": "TN"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"The Associated Press"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Radio reporter’s phone seized by North Dakota police, later returned",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/radio-reporters-phone-seized-by-north-dakota-police-later-returned/",
"first_published_at": "2022-01-26T15:11:19.960825Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:14:08.440271Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:14:08.287104Z",
"date": "2022-01-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Williston",
"longitude": -103.61797,
"latitude": 48.14697,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"cg46m\">A North Dakota police investigator seized a cellphone belonging to Tom Simon, a Williston-based reporter for Coyote Radio 98.5 and Williston Trending Topics News Radio Live, during a school board meeting on Jan. 10, 2022. The phone was ultimately returned.</p><p data-block-key=\"arc1o\">Simon told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he had been covering the departure of the school district’s former superintendent since October 2021. Multiple individuals contacted Simon with details from a closed executive session of the school board. In the wake of his reporting, Williston police initiated an investigation at the behest of the school board president and enlisted the help of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to identify Simon’s sources.</p><p data-block-key=\"8q1d7\">The BCI obtained a search warrant for Simon’s cellphone on Jan. 4 but waited six days — until the next school board meeting — to execute it. Simon told the Tracker that BCI police investigator Charissa Remus approached him during the Jan. 10 meeting and asked him to come with her to answer some questions.</p><p data-block-key=\"88hte\">While Remus asked him to identify his sources, Simon said a second agent seized his cellphone from the table where he had left it. Remus then presented Simon a copy of the signed search warrant and asked him to tell her the device’s passcode. Simon refused to identify his sources but provided the passcode, not knowing whether he had the right to refuse.</p><p data-block-key=\"fcg8q\">Under the <a href=\"https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t31c01.pdf\">state’s shield law</a>, police cannot seize a journalist’s work product without a court hearing to determine if the “failure of disclosure of such evidence will cause a miscarriage of justice.” No such hearing was held in Simon’s case.</p><p data-block-key=\"1g1mu\">The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wayne-stenehjem-north-dakota-williston-radio-media-32e43bebdd3a8de406c75f7d3e425295\">reported</a> that North Dakota Newspaper Association Attorney Jack McDonald contacted state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem about the seizure the following day, and Stenehjem immediately ordered that the phone be returned to Simon.</p><p data-block-key=\"3n20q\">According to documents reviewed by the Tracker, Simon’s phone was returned to him just before 3 p.m. on Jan. 11 without having been searched or its contents downloaded. Simon’s attorney, Kevin Chapman, told the Tracker they are working with a computer expert to confirm whether the phone’s contents were accessed while it was in custody.</p><p data-block-key=\"5vjck\">“Having it returned quickly does not solve the problem,” Simon told the Tracker. “Once the veil of secrecy is pierced, the message to the sources or future sources is that law enforcement can still find out who they are, and that message is difficult to stomach.”</p><p data-block-key=\"961k2\">Simon said he was particularly concerned by the decision to hold off serving the warrant until it could be done in front of his presumed sources in order to intimidate them.</p><p data-block-key=\"18qtj\">Judge Benjamen Johnson also signed a search warrant sent to Verizon Wireless for Simon’s phone records, which the Tracker documented <a href=\"/all-incidents/search-warrant-issued-for-north-dakota-reporters-phone-records-amid-police-investigation/\">here</a>. On Jan. 11, Remus, the BCI agent, wrote a letter to Verizon telling them to “PLEASE DISREGARD IMMEDIATELY.” The police investigation has since been closed.</p><p data-block-key=\"402pn\">Stenehjem told the AP that some people involved in the chain of events did not know that Simon was protected by the shield law and expressed regret over the mistake.</p><p data-block-key=\"3khih\">In a statement shared with the Tracker, Stenhjem said, “This office reviewed the matter and determined that the phone was lawfully taken pursuant to a valid search warrant issued by a judge.</p><p data-block-key=\"7iv8h\">“The attorney general advised the agent that in light of a state statute that requires a further court warrant to view the contents of the phone in cases like this.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ac949\">A spokesperson for Stenehjem’s office <a href=\"https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-it-makes-me-physically-nauseous-the-extent-to-which-they-were-pursuing-a-journalist\">told Fargo-based outlet InForum</a> that moving forward all current and future BCI agents will receive training on the state’s shield law and it will be incorporated into the curriculum at the Law Enforcement Training Academy.</p><p data-block-key=\"215pb\">Chapman told the Tracker he is researching potential civil rights claims but said they have not decided if or when they will file a lawsuit.</p><p data-block-key=\"aufk7\">“There has to be a freedom of the press. Reporters should be able to feel free to go get the news and to do investigative journalism without law enforcement breathing down their necks and then pressuring them for their sources,” Chapman said. “This is a perfect example of overreaching on behalf of law enforcement into the rights of private citizens and it simply cannot stand.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Simons.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"ov9qf\">A portion of the search warrant for the cellphone belonging to radio reporter Tom Simon, who was reporting on a school board’s handling of the departure of the district’s former superintendent.</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": "returned in full",
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": "law enforcement",
"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": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [
{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "cellphone"
}
],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "North Dakota",
"abbreviation": "ND"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Equipment Search or Seizure",
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Tom Simon (KXWI-FM)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": []
}
]
