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{
"title": "Student journalist hit with police baton, pepper-sprayed at Puerto Rico protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-pepper-sprayed-hit-with-police-baton-while-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-14T14:09:24.980118Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-10-13T19:29:35.730473Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-10-13T19:29:35.664288Z",
"date": "2022-08-25",
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"city": "San Juan",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"828f1\">Student journalist Diego Berrios told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was assaulted on Aug. 25, 2022, by a law enforcement officer while covering ongoing protests in San Juan, Puerto Rico.</p><p data-block-key=\"cuoci\">Berrios, a student at the University of Puerto Rico who reports for <a href=\"https://pulsoestudiantil.com/\">Pulso Estudiantil</a>, told the Tracker in Spanish that he was in the island’s historic district covering demonstrations denouncing LUMA Energy, the private company contracted to take over the island’s electricity grid.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ernh\">Reuters reported that hundreds of protesters <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/hundreds-protest-demand-puerto-rico-scrap-contract-with-power-grid-operator-2022-07-20/\">marched in the streets</a> in a call for government officials to end a 15-year contract with the energy company after years of recurring blackouts and rising power costs.</p><p data-block-key=\"dsh60\">Berrios said that evening he followed other journalists documenting protesters clashing with a line of police officers near a permanent barrier that had been erected after the <a href=\"https://www.latinorebels.com/2019/07/26/rossellofalls/\">2019 protests</a> that ousted the then-governor.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">[AHORA] Cientos de manifestantes acuden a la calle Fortaleza en protesta contra <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/LUMAEnergy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#LUMAEnergy</a>. El reclamo principal de la protesta es la cancelación del contrato con la compañía de servicio energético. <a href=\"https://t.co/vPMrYMHng4\">pic.twitter.com/vPMrYMHng4</a></p>— Pulso Estudiantil (@PulsoEST) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PulsoEST/status/1562924017463562243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 25, 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=\"828f1\">“I was standing with all the other photojournalists and reporters when the police officers arrested a couple of protesters,” Berrios said. “That’s when one police officer released pepper spray into the crowd.”</p><p data-block-key=\"99qje\">Berrios told the Tracker he saw independent journalist Carlos Edill Berríos Polanco get hit directly with the irritant, an <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-pepper-sprayed-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/\">incident the Tracker documented here</a>. The spray covered Berrios’ camera lens and the front of his T-shirt.</p><p data-block-key=\"7hiu7\">Police officers then ordered the crowd to disperse, Berrios said, and he followed the protesters away from the barricade. He identified himself as a journalist multiple times to police officers who were demanding that he leave the area.</p><p data-block-key=\"3hs6d\">“At that point, I was with a group of photojournalists documenting altercations between the police and the protesters,” Berrios said. “Suddenly, a line of officers started aggressively coming toward us, despite us telling them we were journalists.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ul6c\">That’s also when Berrios captured the assault of NotiCel photojournalist Juan Costa by law enforcement, an incident the Tracker has documented <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/noticel-photojournalist-assaulted-by-police-while-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/\">here</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/LUMAEnergy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#LUMAEnergy</a> | Fuerza de choque agrede a miembros de la prensa en la protesta de la calle Fortaleza. <a href=\"https://t.co/vgLhkl797S\">pic.twitter.com/vgLhkl797S</a></p>— Pulso Estudiantil (@PulsoEST) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PulsoEST/status/1562978397651075072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 26, 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=\"828f1\">Berrios said he tried moving away from the advancing police officers to an area that had been cleared, but they continued to follow him.</p><p data-block-key=\"c74q9\">“I was backing away and even put a chair between the officer and me to create some space, but the officer caught up with me, hit my arm with his police baton, knocked my phone to the ground and then pushed me down.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f88pi\">As he got up and collected his phone, which sustained a small crack, Berrios said he touched the pepper spray-covered T-shirt and then wiped his eyes. He said he immediately went down in pain until demonstrators came and poured milk in my eyes to get the pepper spray out.</p><p data-block-key=\"29r90\">“It was my first time covering a protest that became violent, so I was really nervous — I was shaking,” Berrios said. “But I saw that other photojournalists stayed, so I felt like it was my job to stay, too.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b724q\">In a press conference held the following day, Police Commissioner Antonio López Figueroa expressed his regret for the incidents and said claims of violence by the police toward journalists would be investigated.</p><p data-block-key=\"kvot\">Berrios said he didn’t believe much would come from the commissioner’s statement.</p><p data-block-key=\"36t9l\">“I feel like our claims were not taken seriously because there haven’t been any consequences for the officers involved in incidents that night,” he said.</p></div>",
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"name": "Puerto Rico",
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{
"title": "Independent journalist pepper-sprayed covering protests in Puerto Rico",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-pepper-sprayed-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-09T17:53:04.936253Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-01T17:16:49.722701Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-01T17:16:49.563934Z",
"date": "2022-08-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "San Juan",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wrppp\">An independent journalist was pepper-sprayed by law enforcement officers while covering protests on Aug. 25, 2022, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.</p><p data-block-key=\"c6hfh\">Carlos Edill Berríos Polanco told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that protests in Puerto Rico’s historic district started off calmly, as individuals gathered to hear speakers denounce LUMA Energy, the private company contracted to take over the island’s electricity grid.</p><p data-block-key=\"scfh\">Reuters reported that hundreds of protesters <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/hundreds-protest-demand-puerto-rico-scrap-contract-with-power-grid-operator-2022-07-20/\">marched in the streets</a> in a call for government officials to end a 15-year contract with the energy company after years of recurring blackouts and rising power costs.</p><p data-block-key=\"cpt6u\">Berríos Polanco, who was <a href=\"https://www.latinorebels.com/2022/08/26/puertoricoprotestluma/\">reporting for Latino Rebels</a>, said police officers were present throughout most of the day but began acting aggressive later in the night, when protesters started moving toward a permanent police barricade that was set up after <a href=\"https://www.latinorebels.com/2019/07/26/rossellofalls/\">2019 protests</a> that ousted the then-governor.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">El <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PRPDNoticias?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PRPDNoticias</a> ataco a varios periodistas claramente identificados en la noche de ayer, incluyéndome a mi. El “goop” de pimienta que usaron me dio en el ojo cuando estaba documentando el uso excesivo de la fuerza. Pueden ver que ademas del carnet, dice PRESS en mi casco. <a href=\"https://t.co/yM4qMaHeYq\">pic.twitter.com/yM4qMaHeYq</a></p>— carlos (vibe describer) (@Vaquero2XL) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Vaquero2XL/status/1563027777317904384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 26, 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=\"wrppp\"><br/>By the evening, according to Berríos Polanco, the number of officers in riot gear had nearly doubled and there were clashes with individuals pushing against the barrier. Berríos Polanco said he was filming when an officer standing behind a police line started spraying the crowd with pepper spray.</p><p data-block-key=\"1siv\">Berríos Polanco said his equipment was not damaged by the irritant but believed the officer knowingly sprayed him.</p><p data-block-key=\"2qrci\">“For some reason, even though I was wearing my helmet with the word ‘PRESS’ and I had my ID around my neck, he decided to fill my face and cover my phone with pepper spray,” Berríos Polanco said.</p><p data-block-key=\"56v8s\">Berríos Polanco said he continued reporting after washing the irritant out of his eyes and donning a gas mask. Soon after, he said police officers deployed tear gas into the crowd and shoved a NotiCel photojournalist, Juan R. Costa, to the ground.</p><p data-block-key=\"4qmms\">Governor Pedro Pierluisi <a href=\"https://twitter.com/GovPierluisi/status/1563139292435689473\">condemned the violence on Twitter</a>, saying that every aggression reported that night would be investigated. Berríos Polanco said the statements don’t inspire much confidence.</p><p data-block-key=\"bg3ks\">“I feel like it's happened before and it'll probably continue to happen again, as long as police use such violent tactics to quell people just being like, ‘Hey, when are we going to get stable electricity again?’” Berríos Polanco said.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"l9rp2\">Protests in San Juan, Puerto Rico, continued on Sept. 1, 2022, against the government’s energy provider. Reporter Carlos E. Berríos Polanco said police targeted him with pepper spray while covering an Aug. 25 protest.</p>",
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"name": "Puerto Rico",
"abbreviation": "PR"
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"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"protest"
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{
"title": "NotiCel photojournalist assaulted by police while covering protests in Puerto Rico",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/noticel-photojournalist-assaulted-by-police-while-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-14T13:50:41.231154Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-09-14T13:50:41.231154Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-09-14T13:50:41.170867Z",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"um2e6\">A NotiCel photojournalist was assaulted on Aug. 25, 2022, by a law enforcement officer while covering a protest in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.</p><p data-block-key=\"9knno\">Juan R. Costa told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was covering the ongoing protests in the island’s historic district denouncing LUMA Energy, the private company contracted to take over the island’s electricity grid.</p><p data-block-key=\"66s74\">Reuters reported that hundreds of protesters <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/hundreds-protest-demand-puerto-rico-scrap-contract-with-power-grid-operator-2022-07-20/\">marched in the streets</a> in a call for government officials to end a 15-year contract with the energy company after years of recurring blackouts and rising power costs.</p><p data-block-key=\"7f4ov\">Only a small group of protesters remained by 9 p.m, Costa said, and the group headed toward a line of police officers behind a permanent barrier that was set up after the <a href=\"https://www.latinorebels.com/2019/07/26/rossellofalls/\">2019 protests</a> that ousted the then-governor. A scuffle ensued, he said, when some individuals began pushing the barrier and throwing water bottles and rocks at the police.</p><p data-block-key=\"6jpci\">Costa said one police officer responded by spraying the crowd and a group of reporters with pepper spray. Independent journalist Carlos Edill Berríos Polanco, who was in the group, told the Tracker he was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-pepper-sprayed-covering-protests-in-puerto-rico/\">targeted and directly hit with the spray</a>. Costa’s camera was covered in the chemical irritant.</p><p data-block-key=\"f52it\">Shortly after, Costa was recording as police officers ordered the crowd to disperse. An officer told him to leave the area, but after he identified himself as a journalist, that officer allowed him to stay. Immediately afterward, two other police officers ordered him to move.</p><p data-block-key=\"7moqv\">“I again identified myself as press,” Costa said. “I have credentials, and obviously, I'm carrying two professional cameras.”</p><p data-block-key=\"49j0j\">One officer suddenly hit the photojournalist in the lower abdomen with his police baton, Costa said, then forcefully pushed him back, causing him to fall.</p><p data-block-key=\"53uru\">“I cannot stand up because of my equipment, and while I’m trying to get up, the same police officer keeps telling me, pointing his finger in my face, that I need to move. I tell him that I cannot move and ask him to please help me up,” Costa said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2qio2\">Costa, who recorded his assault, said the officer helped him up but started hitting him and pushing him toward a line of officers as he tried to leave.</p><p data-block-key=\"bp46l\">Costa’s video of the assault spread widely, with one journalist posting the footage on Twitter, writing, “This is what police brutality against the press looks like.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is what police brutality against the press looks like. In solidarity with my friend and Puerto Rican photojournalist <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NotiJuan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NotiJuan</a>. <br> <a href=\"https://t.co/dj7MprNWpL\">pic.twitter.com/dj7MprNWpL</a></p>— Angélica Serrano-Román🇵🇷 (@angelicaserran0) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/angelicaserran0/status/1562984773361885184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 26, 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=\"um2e6\">In a Twitter thread, Costa said that Police Commissioner Antonio López Figueroa called him to express regret for the incident and assure him that all claims of violence by the police toward journalists would be investigated.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">Anoche recibí una llamada del comisionado de la Policía, Antonio López Figueroa, quien se expresó solidario con nuestro trabajo, se excusó por el incidente y me aseguró que van a investigar la agresión.<br><br>Le agradecí sus palabras. También por dar cara sin obligación de hacerlo.</p>— Juan R. Costa (@NotiJuan) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/NotiJuan/status/1563157889170423808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 26, 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=\"um2e6\">The next day, the police commissioner <a href=\"https://www.wfla.com/tampa-hoy/america-latina/la-policia-es-amiga-de-la-prensa-comisionado-habla-sobre-agresion-a-periodista-en-protestas-contra-luma-en-puerto-rico/\">held a press conference</a> about the incidents. He said police officers were “a friend of the media” and confirmed that he had reached out to Costa.</p><p data-block-key=\"4v49e\">Costa urged that incidents like his are rare, but important to share.</p><p data-block-key=\"8046g\">“I did not feel that this was an attack by the police force, but rather by a rogue officer who disregarded the rules and took it upon himself to attack the press,” Costa said. “Sometimes these incidents do happen. And when they do, we press members take it upon ourselves to publicize it, to denounce it, and to make sure that everybody sees it. Because we're so invested in these kinds of incidents not happening to any of us.”</p></div>",
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{
"title": "New Hampshire newspaper publisher arrested, charged with violating political ad laws",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/new-hampshire-newspaper-publisher-arrested-charged-with-violating-political-ad-laws/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-26T20:14:11.300158Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:11:19.004006Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:11:18.890242Z",
"date": "2022-08-24",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Londonderry",
"longitude": -71.37395,
"latitude": 42.86509,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"5aph8\">The publisher of a New Hampshire-based weekly newspaper, the Londonderry Times, was arrested on Aug. 24, 2022, and charged with publishing political advertisements without correctly identifying them as ads.</p><p data-block-key=\"br0ik\">According to <a href=\"https://www.doj.nh.gov/news/2022/20220824-debra-paul-arrest.htm\">a press release</a> by Attorney General John M. Formella, publisher Debra Paul was charged with six misdemeanor counts of violating <a href=\"http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/lxiii/664/664-mrg.htm\">state laws on political advertisements</a>. Paul had previously been investigated and warned by the state’s Election Law Unit for failing to comply with state election law in 2019 and 2021. According to the statement, Paul was issued a final warning letter about properly labeling the ads in September 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"2pu3m\">In a statement emailed to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a founding partner of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Paul condemned the state’s actions against the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"5rbfs\">“This is clearly a case of a small business needing to defend itself against overreaching government. To threaten a small business owner with jail time over something this insignificant is very heavy handed,” Paul wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"lva2\">Paul’s lawyer, Tony Naro, told the Tracker in an emailed statement that he could not make public statements about pending matters but denied any wrongdoing by Paul. Naro also said Paul arrived at the police station after making arrangements to turn herself in for processing before being released.</p><p data-block-key=\"736m8\">“The Londonderry Times does their absolute best to put out a quality publication with limited staff and a limited budget. Ms. Paul acted with no criminal intent, denies the allegations, and is presumed innocent. It is our intention to handle this matter exclusively in the court system where it belongs and not in the press. While this matter plays out in court, we ask for the public, and the media, to keep an open mind and not prejudge this case.”</p><p data-block-key=\"clr6p\">If convicted, Paul faces a maximum penalty of one year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000 per charge. An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2022.</p></div>",
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"subpoena_type": null,
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"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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"state": {
"name": "New Hampshire",
"abbreviation": "NH"
},
"updates": [
"(2022-10-19 13:58:00+00:00) NH publisher pleads not guilty to charges of violating political ad law",
"(2023-12-07 00:00:00+00:00) New Hampshire newspaper publisher convicted, fined for mislabeling political ads"
],
"case_statuses": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Debra Paul (Londonderry Times)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Financial reporter subpoenaed for documents in California lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/financial-reporter-subpoenaed-for-documents-in-california-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2025-01-29T22:07:34.529704Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-01-29T22:24:04.215192Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-01-29T22:24:04.131662Z",
"date": "2022-08-23",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "San Francisco",
"longitude": -122.41942,
"latitude": 37.77493,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ulr5i\">Roddy Boyd, editor and founder of the investigative reporting outlet Foundation for Financial Journalism, was subpoenaed on Aug. 23, 2022, for documents in connection with a California wiretap and defamation lawsuit, according to court records reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"66nvn\">The underlying <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nced.207349/gov.uscourts.nced.207349.2.1.pdf\">lawsuit</a> was filed by investor Marc Cohodes in January 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Cohodes alleged in his complaint that the defendants used a private investigator to befriend him on false pretenses, then illegally record his phone calls and later disclose calls, emails and private conversations to damage his reputation.</p><p data-block-key=\"df2tl\">Boyd had earlier published an <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nced.207349/gov.uscourts.nced.207349.2.6.pdf\">article</a> that detailed the investigator’s recording of Cohodes’ calls. In his story, which is no longer available on the news outlet’s website, Boyd admits agreeing to a request by the investigator, who had falsely represented himself, to introduce him to Cohodes in 2016.</p><p data-block-key=\"8vvuk\">Cohodes’ August 2022 <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nced.207349/gov.uscourts.nced.207349.2.10.pdf\">legal order</a> sought all documents, including communications, in Boyd’s possession concerning the private investigator, the other defendants and Cohodes.</p><p data-block-key=\"348ao\">Boyd <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nced.207349/gov.uscourts.nced.207349.2.11.pdf\">objected</a> to the subpoena on Aug. 30, 2022, arguing that he is protected by the First Amendment and the <a href=\"https://www.rcfp.org/introduction-to-the-reporters-privilege-compendium/\">reporter’s privilege</a> from turning over the documents. He also objected that the subpoena was overly broad and vague, and sought to obtain materials available elsewhere.</p><p data-block-key=\"6d2pb\">The subpoena was narrowed and <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nced.207349/gov.uscourts.nced.207349.2.12.pdf\">reissued</a> on <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/subpoena-for-financial-reporters-documents-in-california-suit-quashed/\">Oct. 11, 2023</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"c862i\">Boyd did not respond to a request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Boyd_Cohodes_8.23.22.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"94gi7\">A portion of a subpoena issued to Roddy Boyd, editor and founder of the investigative reporting outlet Foundation for Financial Journalism, on Aug. 23, 2022, for documents related to a wiretap and defamation suit in California.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"assailant": null,
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"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": [],
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"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": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Roddy Boyd (Foundation for Financial Journalism)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Radio correspondent subpoenaed, testifies in Oath Keepers criminal trial",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/radio-correspondent-subpoenaed-testifies-in-oath-keepers-criminal-trial/",
"first_published_at": "2023-06-20T15:55:20.989989Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:27:30.901456Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:27:30.814487Z",
"date": "2022-08-15",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"q2rbk\">On the Media correspondent Micah Loewinger was subpoenaed on Aug. 15, 2022, to testify in a criminal trial against multiple individuals involved in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. He took the stand in the case two months later.</p><p data-block-key=\"c5pc7\">In a May 2023 <a href=\"https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/how-otm-reporter-became-part-largest-january-6th-trials-on-the-media?tab=summary\">report</a> for OTM, Loewinger said that on Jan. 6 he was monitoring a conversation about the Stop the Steal rally on a push-to-talk walkie-talkie cellphone app called Zello and recorded real-time chatter with members of the Oath Keepers. The Southern Poverty Law Center <a href=\"https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/oath-keepers\">identifies</a> the militia movement as “one of the largest far-right antigovernment groups in the U.S. today.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3hgev\">Loewinger also published some details from the recording in an <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/zello-app-us-capitol-attack-far-right\">article for The Guardian</a> and spoke on <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-capitol-riots-oath-keepers-militia-2021-04-18/\">60 Minutes</a> about how the app was used to mobilize the attack on the Capitol.</p><p data-block-key=\"btsb9\">A few months after the riot, Loewinger said he was contacted about the recording by a Department of Justice attorney helping to lead the criminal prosecution against the Oath Keepers.</p><p data-block-key=\"elr9c\">“I thought maybe if I got this guy on the phone, I might be able to glean some useful information about the investigation that would help my own reporting, maybe even a juicy scoop,” Loewinger reported on OTM.</p><p data-block-key=\"8pgk2\">But when the prosecutor told him that the lead FBI agent was also interested in speaking with him, Loewinger said he became concerned they would use the Zello tape as a pretense to seize his phone and computer to gain access to his interviews and notes concerning the insurrection.</p><p data-block-key=\"1b3r\">After consulting with colleagues at WNYC, which produces OTM, Loewinger posted the <a href=\"https://soundcloud.com/user-403747081/jessica-watkins-on-stop-the-steal-j6-zello-channel-unedited\">full, nearly 2 1⁄2-hour-long recording</a> online so he wouldn’t have to act as a middleman. The prosecutor told Loewinger, however, that to use the recording as evidence in the trial someone would have to testify vouching for its authenticity.</p><p data-block-key=\"6g648\">“As the person who made the recording, I was the only one who could do it,” Loewinger said. “When the DOJ asked if I would testify voluntarily, my lawyer declined on my behalf, pointing to the importance of journalistic independence. Hence, the subpoena.”</p><p data-block-key=\"h2bf\">After weighing the possibility of fighting the subpoena and the risk of imprisonment were he to refuse to comply, Loewinger said he “begrudgingly” testified.</p><p data-block-key=\"85qnv\">Loewinger took the stand on Oct. 17, <a href=\"https://www.courthousenews.com/fbi-agent-grilled-over-armed-rebellion-testimony/\">according to Courthouse News</a>. Daily Kos reporter Brandi Buchman tweeted live from the courtroom that afternoon, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1582092604505661442\">writing on Twitter</a> that the correspondent testified for approximately half an hour, describing how Zello works and how he captured the recording.</p><p data-block-key=\"ccj3e\">Separately, Loewinger noted In his report for OTM that when meeting with the lead prosecutor and an FBI agent, they asked him about records they had obtained from Zello, including details of when he used the app and whom he had messaged in the lead up to Jan. 6, 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"5k8ft\">“Maybe I should know better, but I was shocked to see just how easy it was for the government to access some of the personal data related to my reporting,” Loewinger said.</p><p data-block-key=\"b4r2h\">Loewinger declined to comment when reached by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. The Tracker was unable to confirm whether a subpoena was issued to Zello for Loewinger’s records.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "",
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"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
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"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"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": [
"Department of Justice",
"election",
"Election 2020"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Micah Loewinger (On the Media)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Iowa man convicted for threatening meteorologist, who later left TV news",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/iowa-man-convicted-for-threatening-meteorologist-who-later-left-tv-news/",
"first_published_at": "2023-07-17T15:32:50.584180Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-03-22T15:18:17.564236Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-03-22T14:37:49.009706Z",
"date": "2022-08-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Des Moines",
"longitude": -93.60911,
"latitude": 41.60054,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"fhvhq\">An Iowa man was charged with harassment on Aug. 10, 2022, after sending threatening emails to KCCI-TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Gloninger. The man pleaded guilty and was issued a fine. Gloninger later announced he was stepping down from his TV news post.</p><p data-block-key=\"94j4o\">Gloninger wrote <a href=\"https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/10/magazine/i-spoke-about-climate-change-tv-meteorologist-then-came-death-threat/\">in an article for The Boston Globe Magazine</a> in July 2023 that he started receiving the emails after his reporting began addressing the effects of climate change.</p><p data-block-key=\"bc50l\">“I saw it as my responsibility to our audience to connect the dots between climate change and extreme weather events in the region,” Gloninger wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"ai05b\">The first threat was sent on June 21, 2022, <a href=\"https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/20/iowa-man-fined-for-harassing-tv-weatherman-over-climate-change/\">according to Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>. Gloninger later <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ChrisGloninger/status/1548382916085817344\">tweeted</a> that in an email three days later, the man wrote, “What’s your home address, we conservative Iowans would like to give you an Iowan welcome you will never forget.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">My <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/climate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#climate</a> coverage has garnered negative feedback. But last month I received the first threat, followed by a flow of harassing emails. Police are investigating. It’s mentally exhausting & at times I have NOT been ok. If you’re facing this & need someone to talk to, I’m here. 1/ <a href=\"https://t.co/SGbZfEr1uT\">pic.twitter.com/SGbZfEr1uT</a></p>— Chris Gloninger (@ChrisGloninger) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ChrisGloninger/status/1548382916085817344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 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=\"fhvhq\">The same individual continued sending the threatening emails — sometimes multiple times a week — until at least July 16, the Dispatch <a href=\"https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/20/iowa-man-fined-for-harassing-tv-weatherman-over-climate-change/\">reported</a>. Gloninger tweeted that police were investigating the harassment but that it was taking a toll.</p><p data-block-key=\"2lbqb\">“It’s mentally exhausting & at times I have NOT been ok,” Gloninger wrote. “The threat of course was concerning, but the stream of harassing emails is even more distressing. It means he is thinking about it constantly. He is angry about it and filled with hate.”</p><p data-block-key=\"br86v\">The man, Danny H. Hancock, was charged with third-degree harassment on Aug. 10, according to court records reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Hancock pleaded guilty on Sept. 2 and was ordered to pay a $105 fine and approximately $75 in court fees.</p><p data-block-key=\"7129t\">On June 21, 2023 — exactly one year after receiving the first threatening email — Gloninger announced he was leaving broadcast news.</p><p data-block-key=\"46tjk\">“18 years. 7 stations. 5 states. I am bidding farewell to TV to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis,” Gloninger <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ChrisGloninger/status/1671534139969863680\">wrote in a statement</a>. “After a death threat stemming from my climate coverage last year and resulting PTSD, in addition to family health issues, I’ve decided to begin this journey *now*.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A quick goodbye. More later. I’ll be focusing on my health, family and combating the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateCrisis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ClimateCrisis</a>. <a href=\"https://t.co/2pGipELgNN\">pic.twitter.com/2pGipELgNN</a></p>— Chris Gloninger (@ChrisGloninger) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ChrisGloninger/status/1671534139969863680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 21, 2023</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=\"fhvhq\">Gloninger told the Tracker in March 2024 that he has noticed a mounting hostility toward members of the press since 2016.</p><p data-block-key=\"44o1s\">“The extremism since 2016 has left journalists in general, not just TV meteorologists, with a sense of being not safe doing the job that we’re doing,” Gloninger said. “There is an absolute correlation between Donald Trump taking office and people feeling emboldened, empowered and entitled to unleash whatever the hell they feel.”</p><p data-block-key=\"78sei\">In an <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/22/meteorologist-climate-death-threat-iowa/\">interview with The Washington Post</a> after his announcement, Gloninger said that he didn’t want to be the story, but that he felt it was important to speak about an issue that was affecting other climate journalists.</p><p data-block-key=\"cttes\">“I’m trying to put it behind me,” Gloninger said. “But at the same point, I think it brings awareness to what journalists face day-to-day bringing the news.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d63e3\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include comment from former KCCI-TV meteorologist Chris Gloninger.</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,
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"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": "Iowa",
"abbreviation": "IA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"environmentalism"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Chris Gloninger (KCCI)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Independent journalist removed from press conference with Philadelphia DA",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-removed-from-press-conference-with-philadelphia-da/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-20T20:42:21.737884Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-20T20:44:09.867125Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-20T20:44:09.792882Z",
"date": "2022-08-08",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Philadelphia",
"longitude": -75.16362,
"latitude": 39.95238,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"twjsk\">Independent reporter Ralph Cipriano says he was “stonewalled” by the Philadelphia district attorney for writing critical articles, eventually culminating in his physical removal from an Aug. 8, 2022, press conference in Pennsylvania.</p><p data-block-key=\"e7d4e\">Cipriano, a former Los Angeles Times and Philadelphia Inquirer reporter who publishes the <a href=\"https://www.bigtrial.net/\">Big Trial blog</a>, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he first started attending District Attorney Larry Krasner’s weekly press conferences in July after three years of no response from his requests for comment. Cipriano said that at every press conference, Krasner refused to take questions or call on him.</p><p data-block-key=\"6kfsq\">The district attorney’s office, which did not respond to requests for comment, holds weekly conferences to brief the media on local issues and events.</p><p data-block-key=\"6hhpd\">During an Aug. 8 press conference, the DA issued Cipriano a warning for not waiting until he was called to ask a question.</p><p data-block-key=\"7bujc\">“That is not how we proceed,” Krasner said during the media event, which was <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/philaDAO/videos/1000278124034259\">live streamed and posted on Facebook</a>. “Anyone who cannot observe those rules can leave and can leave now or be escorted out.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5k44e\">According to Cipriano, he tried asking questions two more times and was warned by the DA a second time then asked to leave. After being escorted out of the venue, Cipriano wrote on his blog that the treatment was personal.</p><p data-block-key=\"ee4ov\">“After four years of presiding over free-for-all press conferences, the D.A. now maintains that reporters no longer have the right to speak up and ask him a question.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fu5re\">Paula Knudsen Burke, a staff attorney for the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press, requested written policies and rules that govern the DA’s office interaction with the press during media events as part of a Right-to-Know Law filing. In a letter to Krasner on behalf of Cipriano, Knudsen Burke highlighted that his office could not locate any written policies or guidelines for interactions with the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"fh5ch\">“It is clear that there are no ‘rules’ or procedures governing access to press conferences held by your office,” Knudsen Burke wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"ejn3d\">She also objected to Cipriano’s removal from the press conference as unconstitutional under the First Amendment: “Government officials cannot make media access decisions based on the content of news coverage, media organizations’ interaction with government officials, or the agency’s perception thereof.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2h254\">Cipriano continued attending the DA’s weekly press conferences and <a href=\"https://www.bigtrial.net/2022/09/arrogant-da-krasner-takes-no-blame-for.html\">reported that Krasner called on him</a> to ask a question during <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/philaDAO/videos/607585204239961\">a Sept. 12 conference</a>.</p></div>",
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"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
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"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Pennsylvania",
"abbreviation": "PA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Law enforcement: Prosecutor"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Ralph Cipriano (Big Trial)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": [
"Government event"
]
},
{
"title": "WCHS reporter attacked, camera damaged while reporting on abandoned cars",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/wchs-reporter-attacked-camera-damaged-while-reporting-on-abandoned-cars/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-09T20:13:39.956929Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-11-01T14:10:56.267402Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-11-01T14:10:56.164785Z",
"date": "2022-08-04",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Putnam County",
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"a65dl\">WCHS Eyewitness News Reporter Bob Aaron was assaulted on Aug. 4, 2022, in Putnam County, West Virginia, while reporting on the sheriff's plan to remove abandoned cars on roads and yards.</p><p data-block-key=\"5sob3\">According to Aaron, who <a href=\"https://wchstv.com/news/local/eyewitness-news-reporter-attacked-while-covering-story-about-abandoned-cars\">reported the incident in a newscast</a>, he was nearly run over while filming the abandoned cars stationed along a main county road by a man who did not want him filming.</p><p data-block-key=\"170bf\">The reporter said the individual got out of his car and ripped the camera from his hands. Aaron, who did not respond to a request for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, reported that the man broke the camera light off and refused to return the camera until Putnam County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene.</p><p data-block-key=\"e841b\">WCHS reported that Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton announced his intention to enforce a clean-up plan to remove the vehicles from public and private locations, adding that some had not moved for more than 20 years. Eggleton told WCHS the announcement provoked an “emotional response from residents in the county” who feared authorities would take their property. Eggleton said in a <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/100010413790942/videos/502861114978851/\">video posted to Facebook</a> that it was not a county ordinance but in accordance with state law.</p><p data-block-key=\"cb558\">The sheriff’s office could not be reached for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"8aej1\">In an article about the altercation, WCHS said Aaron, 75, was doing fine and that there were pending charges against the man who attacked him.</p></div>",
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"name": "West Virginia",
"abbreviation": "WV"
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"(2023-02-06 14:14:00+00:00) Man ordered to pay restitution for snatching, breaking reporter’s camera"
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{
"title": "Music journalist subpoenaed in criminal trial of singer R. Kelly",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/music-journalist-subpoenaed-in-criminal-trial-of-singer-r-kelly/",
"first_published_at": "2022-09-16T18:03:53.785604Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-07-05T19:17:25.056563Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-07-05T19:17:24.946624Z",
"date": "2022-08-03",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chicago",
"longitude": -87.65005,
"latitude": 41.85003,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"v03q1\">Journalist Jim DeRogatis was issued a subpoena for testimony in the federal trial of R&B singer Robert “R.” Kelly in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 3, 2022. The judge quashed the subpoena on Sept. 7.</p><p data-block-key=\"e1b46\">DeRogatis — a reporter, music critic, author and an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago — has reported extensively on Kelly for The Chicago Sun-Times and The New Yorker, and in 2019 he authored the book “Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2kfe6\">DeRogatis told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that an individual delivered an unmarked videocassette with footage of Kelly and a 14-year-old girl to his home in February 2002. DeRogatis said that within four hours of receiving the footage, he and the editorial staff at the Sun-Times turned it over to police and it was subsequently used as evidence in Kelly’s state criminal trial in 2008.</p><p data-block-key=\"71rno\">The judge in the case compelled DeRogatis to testify during that first trial, but upon advice from counsel DeRogatis refused to answer any questions, reading instead a statement citing his Fifth and First Amendment rights.</p><p data-block-key=\"177ah\">DeRogatis told the Tracker that following the first trial, he was aware that he might again be called to testify in the federal case. In 2022, attorneys for Derrel McDavid — Kelly’s former business manager and co-defendant in the case — issued DeRogatis the subpoena, ordering him to appear to provide trial testimony on Sept. 6.</p><p data-block-key=\"44hse\">In court filings reviewed by the Tracker, McDavid’s attorney’s cited interest in April 2019 emails between DeRogatis and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Krull, the former lead prosecutor on the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"atad5\">DeRogatis told the Tracker he was on assignment for The New Yorker when he contacted Krull about the two federal investigations and in the course of the conversation had offered to send her a copy of his then-forthcoming book. Krull then emailed him from a non-governmental email address and he sent along a PDF of his book. DeRogatis said he never heard back from her and has not communicated with Krull since.</p><p data-block-key=\"16ia3\">DeRogatis and The New Yorker jointly filed <a href=\"https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/r-kelly-Jim-DeRogatis-quash-subpoena.pdf\">an emergency motion</a> to quash the subpoena or issue a protective order on Sept. 6. The motion argued that all of the information or knowledge that DeRogatis may have that would be pertinent to the case had been published in his reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"2ssuo\">During a hearing on Sept. 7, attorneys for McDavid told District Court Judge Harry Leinenweber that they wanted to show DeRogatis the cassette and ask him to confirm whether it was the same one he had received in 2002, according to DeRogatis. The prosecutors, who had not previously expressed an interest in questioning DeRogatis, told the judge they also hoped to ask the journalist to confirm the timeline of his reporting while at the Sun-Times.</p><p data-block-key=\"djq1e\">Seth Stern, the attorney representing DeRogatis at the hearing, confirmed to the Tracker that Leinenweber granted the motion to quash the subpoena that day. Stern said that the judge agreed that the testimony they were seeking was “cumulative, redundant, unnecessary.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A good day for the First Amendment. And anything I could possibly have been asked I’ve already reported. <a href=\"https://t.co/lwQeOcFL0w\">pic.twitter.com/lwQeOcFL0w</a></p>— Jim DeRogatis (@JimDeRogatis) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JimDeRogatis/status/1567531927455801344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 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=\"v03q1\">“I would have sat on the stand and read my whole book if they had 10 or 15 hours,” DeRogatis said. “In 22 years of reporting on this case, I have not had a single correction, clarification, retraction or lawsuit. My reporting stands. I’m proud of that work.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5mu9c\">Stern said that while he was gratified with the outcome in this case, the subpoena itself can set a precedent that may chill future reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"b57mk\">“Absent a federal shield law, there’s really no certainty that a reporter getting a subpoena like this can have regarding whether they’ll need to testify or not,” Stern said. “Fortunately, in this case the judge made the right call, but you never know what’s going to happen in the next one.”</p><p data-block-key=\"621qa\">Kelly was convicted on three counts of child pornography and three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual acts on Sept. 14, CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/14/us/r-kelly-chicago-federal-trial/index.html\">reported</a>. He was <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2022/06/29/1105551227/r-kelly-sentence-30-years\">sentenced to 30 years</a> in prison in June on racketeering charges in a second federal trial in New York. McDavid and Kelly’s second co-defendant, Milton Brown, were acquitted of all charges.</p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"6mlx8\">A portion of the subpoena issued to music journalist James (Jim) DeRogatis seeking trial testimony in the federal case against singer R. Kelly. The subpoena was quashed on Sept. 7, 2022.</p>",
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"name": "Illinois",
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{
"title": "Atlanta photojournalist files lawsuit following arrest, device search",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/atlanta-photojournalist-files-lawsuit-following-arrest-device-search/",
"first_published_at": "2024-07-15T13:57:08.985574Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-07-15T13:57:08.985574Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-07-15T13:50:23.555688Z",
"date": "2022-07-29",
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"city": "Atlanta",
"longitude": -84.38798,
"latitude": 33.749,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"jzei7\">Freelance photojournalist Ben Hendren was arrested while photographing the detention of protesters who allegedly damaged a construction site in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 29, 2022. Hendren filed a lawsuit against the officers and workers at the site in July 2024, alleging First Amendment violations and retaliation.</p><p data-block-key=\"5hd2\">Hendren told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he was on assignment as a breaking news photographer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution when at around 1 p.m. he heard on the Georgia State University Police Department scanner that there was an ongoing protest at a construction site. A few minutes later he heard that the demonstrators had been pulled over about half a mile away from the site and went to that location instead.</p><p data-block-key=\"dst01\">“When I arrived I parked my car and saw a few protesters in handcuffs sitting on the sidewalk,” Hendren said. “I grabbed my camera gear, walked up to the scene and identified myself as a journalist to one of the Georgia State University police officers. And then I started photographing the scene with my longest lens possible to give them room for their investigation.”</p><p data-block-key=\"e1b3v\">Approximately 10 minutes later, Hendren said, he was grabbed from behind and placed under arrest without warning. He said he was wearing credentials and repeatedly told officers that he was on assignment for the newspaper, and was even able to retrieve his phone from his back pocket to call his editor, but the officers didn’t care.</p><p data-block-key=\"9s6ai\">After several hours, officers began photographing the detainees one-by-one. “When they got to me: I am not affiliated with them (the protesters) and I don’t want to be affiliated with them, so I put my head down to avoid being photographed for whatever purpose the photos were going toward,” Hendren said.</p><p data-block-key=\"c1dmt\">He was told that it wouldn’t go well for him if he didn’t comply and an officer came over and wrenched his head up by his hair so his face could be photographed.</p><p data-block-key=\"8g8e2\">Hendren told the Tracker he was eventually taken in a police transport van to the Georgia State University police precinct where he was Mirandized and interviewed by the Atlanta Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit. He said that the officers asked to look through his photos to confirm that he hadn’t been present at the construction site.</p><p data-block-key=\"cg94l\">“They asked to see the photos so I took them through all the photos I took,” Hendren said. “They asked to look through my cellphone — they wanted to look at my gallery of images and whatnot — so I opened my work phone and took them through it. They wanted me to open my personal phone too, which I refused and then I locked the other phone. That was the end of it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d2vjm\">Approximately 30 minutes after the interview police released him without charges, Hendren said, returned his equipment in evidence bags and drove him back to his vehicle. He said he was in custody for around seven hours.</p><p data-block-key=\"ebmth\">On July 1, 2024, Hendren filed a <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.331305/gov.uscourts.gand.331305.1.0.pdf\">lawsuit</a> against the officers as well as three construction workers who falsely reported that he had been involved in the protest and committed crimes at the construction site.</p><p data-block-key=\"6lnjb\">“The interference with Plaintiff’s photographing and his arrest were triggered by, and in retaliation for, his protected activity of taking pictures of public police activity, and therefore violated the First Amendment,” the lawsuit states.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ppsq\">According to the suit, protesters had targeted the construction site for GSU’s Convocation Center because the same company had been contracted to build the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, also known as “Cop City,” which has been the focus of ongoing protests.</p><p data-block-key=\"d2plm\">Hendren told the Tracker he hopes that filing the suit will show police that they can’t interfere with journalists who are doing their jobs without being held accountable.</p><p data-block-key=\"a6cqd\">“I hope it draws attention to this pervasive issue that we see: When there are either protests or movements that are critical of law enforcement we almost always see retaliation from law enforcement directed at members of the media for covering it,” Hendren said. “And when stuff like this happens to journalists, when you attack our rights, we won’t back down and we will defend our rights.”</p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"6mgqs\">A portion of the federal lawsuit freelance photojournalist Ben Hendren filed on July 1, 2024, against the officers who arrested him in July 2022 for photographing the detention of people protesting a construction site in Atlanta, Georgia.</p>",
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"case_number": "1:24-cv-02921",
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"status_of_seized_equipment": "returned in full",
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"name": "Georgia",
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"ongoing"
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"environmentalism"
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"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge",
"Assault",
"Equipment Search or Seizure"
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{
"title": "FOX 8 photojournalist attacked while reporting on NC dog kennel violations",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fox-8-photojournalist-attacked-while-reporting-on-nc-dog-kennel-violations/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-03T15:05:00.417304Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-08-19T14:07:03.480469Z",
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"date": "2022-07-28",
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"city": "Thomasville",
"longitude": -80.08199,
"latitude": 35.88264,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"2k497\">FOX8 photojournalist Derrick Deon Reid was assaulted by two men on July 28, 2022, while reporting on animal mistreatment claims at a dog boarding facility in Davidson County, North Carolina, according to news reports.</p><p data-block-key=\"f726f\">Reid, who was not identified by <a href=\"https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/piedmont-triad/2-men-accused-of-assaulting-fox8-photojournalist-covering-animal-mistreatment-in-davidson-county/\">FOX8 in a report about the assault</a>, was later identified by the Winston-Salem Journal. According to FOX8, Reid was gathering footage on an animal boarding facility previously fined for violating the state’s Animal Protection Act when Marshall Everhart and Zachary Everhart, one of the facility’s owners, attacked him.</p><p data-block-key=\"aj2ad\">According to an <a href=\"https://journalnow.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/sheriff-fox-8-journalist-attacked-while-covering-story-about-kennel-fined-for-animal-mistreatment-in/article_fce41f12-0f53-11ed-8ae5-570f574356f3.html\">arrest warrant obtained by the Winston-Salem Journal</a>, Reid sustained broken or loosened teeth and possibly a broken jaw. The warrant also accuses Marshall Everhart of holding Reid against his will and damaging his camera equipment after trying to take the camera from him. Official documents state that he also damaged Reid’s vehicle, causing more than $200 in damage.</p><p data-block-key=\"25dfo\">The Davidson County Sheriff’s Department, which did not respond to a request for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, arrested Marshall Everhart after the incident, while Zachary Everhart turned himself in to the sheriff’s office. Officials charged both men with felony larceny, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, kidnapping and injury to personal property.</p><p data-block-key=\"5iqdj\">FOX8 did not respond to requests for comment from the Tracker. In a statement to the Winston-Salem Journal, FOX8 Vice President and General Manager Jim Himes declined to comment on Reid’s condition, citing federal privacy laws.</p></div>",
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"name": "North Carolina",
"abbreviation": "NC"
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"(2024-08-14 00:00:00+00:00) Two men found guilty of assault on photojournalist; first sentenced to 2.5 years"
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{
"title": "Photojournalist assaulted while reporting at Portland park",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-assaulted-while-reporting-at-portland-park/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-01T20:02:20.219023Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-09-29T13:39:49.447627Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-09-29T13:25:50.103509Z",
"date": "2022-07-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Portland",
"longitude": -122.67621,
"latitude": 45.52345,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"pw84u\">An unidentified photojournalist with KGW News was assaulted while on assignment in Lents Park in Portland, Oregon, on July 25, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"a18se\">The station <a href=\"https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/kgw-journalist-assaulted-southeast-portland-lents-park/283-7db135bd-e122-45b1-aa33-6d901545773d\">reported</a> that the photographer was covering an community outreach event hosted by the group PDX Saints Love, which was providing a cooling station and water from July 25 to 29 amid a heatwave in the region.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Right now <a href=\"https://twitter.com/pdxsaintslove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@pdxsaintslove</a> and Portland Street Response are at Lents Park in SE Portland until 7pm. The plan is to hand out water/electrolytes/food and provide a cool spot every day this week from 11am-7pm. Organizers say they need more volunteers and always welcome ice donations. <a href=\"https://t.co/C39pUVVKvy\">pic.twitter.com/C39pUVVKvy</a></p>— Christine Pitawanich (@CPitawanichKGW) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/CPitawanichKGW/status/1551636293368524800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 25, 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=\"pw84u\">According to the station, the photojournalist was finishing filming and was holding his camera by his side when one of the individuals attending the event became agitated and charged at him. The man jumped over a picnic table and chased the photojournalist toward his station vehicle, punching him before he was able to get into the car.</p><p data-block-key=\"2j4pn\">Though the photojournalist was able to enter the vehicle, KGW reported that the man opened the door before the journalist could lock it and punched him again. The event organizers then told the man to leave and he walked away.</p><p data-block-key=\"1s7nl\">The station reported that the unidentified photojournalist suffered several cuts and a bruised eye and received treatment by medics at the scene.</p><p data-block-key=\"940sf\">A second KGW journalist at the scene, not named in the report, called 911 and told officers which direction the suspect had fled. Portland Police Bureau officers found the man nearby a short while later and placed him under arrest. Joshua David Sears was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, which is punishable by a fine of up to $6,250, a year in jail or both.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ul4t\">In a statement to the outlet, KGW News Director Greg Retsinas said: “We are distressed at this unprovoked act of violence against our employees who were working to tell a positive story in the community. Thankfully, community members at the scene stepped in right away to assist and prevent more serious injury.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8ju6l\">Neither Retsinas or KGW reporter Christine Pitawanich, who tweeted about the event, responded to requests for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"state": {
"name": "Oregon",
"abbreviation": "OR"
},
"updates": [
"(2023-01-25 00:00:00+00:00) Photojournalist gets apology from assailant, drops assault charges"
],
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"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Unidentified photojournalist 25 (KGW)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Subpoena for CNN footage quashed in criminal case against Capitol rioter",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/subpoena-for-cnn-footage-quashed-in-criminal-case-against-capitol-rioter/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-16T18:45:23.885706Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-06-28T18:59:29.448184Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-06-28T18:59:29.320095Z",
"date": "2022-07-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bqpit\">CNN was served a criminal trial subpoena on July 25, 2022, by a defendant facing charges stemming from his alleged participation in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The subpoena, which sought approximately two hours of raw footage from an interview with a Capitol Police officer, was subsequently quashed.</p><p data-block-key=\"etrol\">According to court filings reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, defendant Kyle Fitzsimons is facing an 11-count indictment and is accused of having attacked multiple law enforcement officers near the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace.</p><p data-block-key=\"1io7g\">CNN broadcasted an interview with two Capitol Police officers on June 4, one of whom is believed to have been assaulted by Fitzsimons. The subpoena — which was issued on July 20, 2022, and served five days later — requests “any and all raw footage” from the officer’s interview.</p><p data-block-key=\"4v2ap\">According to CNN’s <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228113/gov.uscourts.dcd.228113.83.0_3.pdf\">motion to quash</a> the subpoena, the officer does not mention Fitzsimons by name and Fitzsimons does not appear in any of the footage.</p><p data-block-key=\"39cbd\">CNN attempted to narrow the request for only the telecast footage but Fitzsimons’ counsel declined. The outlet did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.</p><p data-block-key=\"bf59m\">The outlet’s Aug. 10 motion to quash argued that the subpoena was a “fishing expedition,” and that Fitzsimons has no reason to believe that the outtakes from the interview will help his defense when the alleged acts were captured by Capitol surveillance cameras and the officers’ body cams.</p><p data-block-key=\"3rjb4\">“Allowing speculative discovery of the press here, on the basis that an unsworn statement in unpublished newsgathering information might theoretically become useful to the defense for purposes of impeachment, would expose a host of media organizations to similar speculative subpoenas in similar January 6 prosecutions,” the motion stated. “That would undeniably chill news reporting about this topic of clear national importance — the ‘violent breach of the Capitol’ that ‘was a grave danger to our democracy.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"2aldl\">District Judge Rudolph Contreras <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228113/gov.uscourts.dcd.228113.91.0_1.pdf\">ruled</a> in favor of CNN on Aug. 14, finding that while Fitzsimons was able to specifically name the material sought, he failed to justify the request with more than hopes of what might be found in the outtakes.</p><p data-block-key=\"ebcou\">Fitzsimons’ trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 16.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/CNN_Fitzsimons_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"aimj0\">A portion of the subpoena issued to CNN seeking approximately two hours of raw footage from an interview with a Capitol Police officer in connection with the criminal trial of a Capitol rioter.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
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"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": [
"CNN"
],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"quashed"
],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Legal journalist may write about revenge porn case after prior restraint overturned",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/legal-journalist-may-write-about-revenge-porn-case-after-prior-restraint-overturned/",
"first_published_at": "2024-07-22T19:39:35.230209Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-07-22T19:39:35.230209Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-07-22T19:39:35.129312Z",
"date": "2022-07-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "San Antonio",
"longitude": -98.49363,
"latitude": 29.42412,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"n8hdx\">A magistrate judge ordered a legal journalist on July 18, 2022, not to write about a sealed revenge porn case in which some information was mistakenly made public. The ruling was overturned two weeks later.</p><p data-block-key=\"7fc7r\">Eugene Volokh — co-founder of the legal blog The Volokh Conspiracy, a law professor emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University — was singled out in the ruling by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney as the only person who was barred from writing about the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"de3hr\">The case, initially filed in 2019, involves a woman who ended an extramarital affair with a man, who she said then posted revenge porn to several adult websites. The case was sealed to protect her privacy. She and the defendant later settled, but the question of whether the case was improperly sealed remained.</p><p data-block-key=\"2brhj\">Volokh told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he initially noticed the case in an alert from Westlaw, a database of legal documents, and thought it raised First Amendment questions that he might want to write about, given his expertise as a free speech scholar.</p><p data-block-key=\"daghn\">Even though the case was sealed, the names of both the plaintiff and defendant were published in an opinion available on Westlaw, along with other documents that should have been sealed under the judge’s order. It’s not clear exactly why they were published, but Volokh said it appeared to be an error.</p><p data-block-key=\"4kql1\">“It was just a simple mistake,” he told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"6nsrc\">Volokh moved to intervene in the case and have it unsealed. Chestney, the magistrate judge, agreed on July 18, 2022, to let him intervene but <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891.358.0.pdf\">ruled that Volokh could not write about the case</a> until a decision was made on unsealing the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"2iaod\">“Professor Volokh may not blog or write about this case until any renewed motion to unseal has been granted,” the ruling ordered.</p><p data-block-key=\"ular\">Volokh appealed the case to District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, who on Aug. 3, 2022, <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891.363.0.pdf\">vacated the prior restraint language</a> and said the entire case should be unsealed. Volokh then published the plaintiff’s name in a blog post in August 2022 since, he said, it was also the name of the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"fmqf9\">A <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/legal-journalist-may-publish-revenge-porn-plaintiffs-name-after-prior-restraint-overturned/\">second instance of prior restraint</a> emerged in the case after the plaintiff appealed its unsealing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which <a href=\"https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/22/22-50707.0.pdf\">ruled that it should be partially sealed</a> with certain personal information redacted.</p><p data-block-key=\"3t3e7\">The case then returned to Chestney to determine what exactly should be redacted and whether the plaintiff could retroactively use a pseudonym, Jane Doe.</p><p data-block-key=\"47tqe\">Chestney ruled on June 20, 2024, in favor of the retroactive pseudonym, but then said that Volokh could not use the plaintiff’s name in future. That decision was also later <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891/gov.uscourts.txwd.1038891.457.0.pdf\">vacated</a> by Rodriguez.</p><p data-block-key=\"bnod2\">Volokh said he sees both instances in which the prior restraint was overturned as examples of the system working. But he noted that he was uniquely positioned to fight these violations.</p><p data-block-key=\"16lrr\">“I should also acknowledge that maybe if I weren’t a law professor, if I weren’t a specialist on the subject, if I had to pay a lawyer to challenge the prior restraints, maybe the situation might not have come out as well,” he told the Tracker.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screenshot_2024-07-22_at_1.46.51P.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"hdg9f\">A portion of the July 18, 2022, court ruling that ordered legal journalist and professor Eugene Volokh not to write about a revenge porn case.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
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"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
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"status_of_prior_restraint": "struck down",
"mistakenly_released_materials": true,
"links": [],
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"state": {
"name": "Texas",
"abbreviation": "TX"
},
"updates": [],
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"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
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"categories": [
"Prior Restraint"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Eugene Volokh (The Volokh Conspiracy)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Journalist struck by man on scooter at L.A. County protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-struck-by-man-on-scooter-at-la-county-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2022-11-01T17:39:33.781564Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-11-13T21:20:22.392052Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-11-13T21:20:22.293466Z",
"date": "2022-07-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Norwalk",
"longitude": -118.08173,
"latitude": 33.90224,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"gfd0k\">Freelance journalist Vishal Singh was struck by a man riding an electric scooter on July 18, 2022, while covering a protest against a proposal for a school-based reproductive clinic in Norwalk, California.</p><p data-block-key=\"7i9qs\">A video posted on Twitter and shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker shows a man on a scooter driving past protesters before doubling back back to hit Singh, who was documenting the protest from the street. The collision resulted in Singh dropping his phone as he fell to the ground.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https://twitter.com/CatalinaOffcl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@CatalinaOffcl</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SpecNews1SoCal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SpecNews1SoCal</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/LEXIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#LEXIT</a> helped organize this protest against the Norwalk School Board. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/VPS_Reports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@VPS_Reports</a> was struck by a man on a scooter who drove past protesters then turned back to hit him. <a href=\"https://t.co/k7rRjt0ChU\">pic.twitter.com/k7rRjt0ChU</a></p>— Sky Spider (@SkySpider_) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SkySpider_/status/1583569590709235712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 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=\"gfd0k\">Singh told the Tracker he was covering the protest as a contributor to the <a href=\"https://leftcoastrightwatch.org/\">Left Coast Right Watch</a>, an independent news organization covering far-right politics in the U.S. Singh said he was wearing visible press credentials from the National Press Photographers Association.</p><p data-block-key=\"1sc2a\">According to Singh, conservative values organization LEXIT was among the organizers of the demonstration after a school board agenda item <a href=\"https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/nlmusd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CG9P7W634CF5\">proposed</a> adding a reproductive health clinic to a high school in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. The district <a href=\"https://leftcoastrightwatch.org/articles/l.a.-county-high-school-clinic-project-canceled-after-far-right-disinfo-intimidation-campaign/\">dropped the proposal</a> after protests.</p><p data-block-key=\"cq15a\">Before he was struck by the scooter, Singh said he was harassed by protesters and threatened by <a href=\"https://twitter.com/VPS_Reports/status/1549232508155244544?t=6bLwJ2X_nhbYu2UHHQhkMA&s=19\">members</a> of extremist groups. Given the chaos of the day, Singh said he initially believed the scooter incident was unintentional until he reviewed the footage several months later.</p><p data-block-key=\"6e50d\">“I saw that video, and I very much had a different feeling about what had happened,” Singh said.</p><p data-block-key=\"bd3bg\">After the incident, Singh said he was dizzy, suffered a migraine and a possible concussion. His phone was undamaged.</p><p data-block-key=\"2unah\">Singh told the Tracker he hasn’t covered any protests since the incident, adding it was a “turning point,” for him.</p><p data-block-key=\"bma28\">“It’s really frustrating and it hurts,” he said. “And the reason I still do it is because I think these stories need to be told. I want people to know what’s happening.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"actor": null,
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"denial_of_entry": false,
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"protest",
"reproductive rights"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Vishal Singh (Independent)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Photojournalist assaulted while on assignment in downtown Baltimore",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-assaulted-while-on-assignment-in-downtown-baltimore/",
"first_published_at": "2022-07-21T18:05:29.921226Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-07-21T18:05:29.921226Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-07-21T18:05:29.867795Z",
"date": "2022-07-15",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Baltimore",
"longitude": -76.61219,
"latitude": 39.29038,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c4n10\">Kyle Dodd, a photojournalist with FOX45 News, was assaulted while on assignment with a colleague near downtown Baltimore, Maryland, on July 15, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"b6rbh\">The outlet <a href=\"https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/squeegee-kid-assaults-fox45-news-photojournalist\">reported</a> that Dodd and reporter Mikenzie Frost were working on a <a href=\"https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/squeegee-kid-if-mayors-office-wanted-to-get-us-off-the-corner-give-us-a-weekly-check\">story</a> about “squeegee kids” — youths who wash car windows at traffic lights in exchange for money — and Mayor Brandon Scott’s efforts to help get them into stable jobs.</p><p data-block-key=\"a84hn\">Dodd told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he had visited the intersection of President and Lombard streets the week prior to scope out the location. While most of the squeegee kids left when they noticed Dodd and his camera, he said one of the young men approached him and questioned why he was there. Dodd said he explained that he was a journalist and that he has the right to film in public locations.</p><p data-block-key=\"73qg9\">Dodd said that on July 15 he set up his camera at the intersection to film additional b-roll while Frost conducted a Zoom interview in their vehicle before attempting to interview the squeegee kids.</p><p data-block-key=\"24ktb\">“I set up probably about 100 feet away and started to get some shots of them, and as soon as they noticed me, the group of about a dozen of them decided to leave that intersection and go across the street,” Dodd said. “Then four of them broke off from that and started to approach me.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ck0qs\">Dodd said he set up a wide shot on his camera to ensure that if anything happened it would be caught on camera and then walked up to them in order to keep them away from the gear while explaining who he was and what he was doing.</p><p data-block-key=\"6qs81\">In footage of the incident, the four young men can be seen walking toward the camera with Dodd in the center of the frame. The first of the squeegee kids to reach the camera — whom Dodd identified as the young man he had spoken to the week prior — appears to gesture at the equipment before saying, “This is ours bro, I ain’t gonna lie.”</p><p data-block-key=\"a8qgu\">Dodd said he picked up the equipment and tried to explain why he was filming, but his responses seemed to only escalate the situation as the young men told him that they did not want to be recorded. He was about to offer to leave the area when Dodd said one of the squeegee boys doused what he believes was a cold, sugary beverage on him and the camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"34ji\">“At that point, they think that they’ve sent their message,” Dodd said, “and then one of them, as they start to walk away, says, ‘Public space or not, stop playing or we’ll beat the shit out of you.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"2uo1q\">The photojournalist said the camera wasn’t damaged, needing only to be dried off in the car after the incident. Dodd added that he did not file a police report because at the time it didn’t seem serious, but after reflecting on it he realized how much worse it could have been.</p><p data-block-key=\"8nt2d\">“I really didn’t even see this guy even pull out a water bottle and throw it on me or anything,” Dodd said. “It could have been a rock, it could have been a gun, it could have been a lot worse. But at the time I really just wanted to get my job done, get the day done.”</p><p data-block-key=\"43tga\">Dodd said he and Frost agreed to leave the area and try reporting on a group of squeegee kids at a different intersection, where they were able to complete their piece.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Dodd.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"n09jj\">FOX45 News photojournalist Kyle Dodd, center, walks surrounded by “squeegee kids” upset with being filmed by the Baltimore news crew on July 15, 2022. One of the young men ultimately assaulted Dodd, dousing him with a liquid.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Maryland",
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"Kyle Dodd (WBFF)"
],
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{
"title": "Podcast host subpoenaed a second time for testimony in murder case",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/podcast-host-subpoenaed-a-second-time-for-testimony-in-murder-case/",
"first_published_at": "2022-07-13T18:55:08.251135Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-03-27T13:52:33.655416Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-03-27T13:52:33.489781Z",
"date": "2022-07-10",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salinas",
"longitude": -121.6555,
"latitude": 36.67774,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"euxs4\">Freelance reporter and podcast host Chris Lambert was issued a second subpoena ordering him to testify during hearings around the 1996 disappearance and murder of a California Polytechnic State University student.</p><p data-block-key=\"b4ojl\">Lambert’s 2019 podcast, “Your Own Backyard,” chronicled his independent investigation of the murder of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. In the span of 10 episodes, he interviewed new witnesses whom law enforcement<a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/us-news-arrests-california-san-luis-obispo-9709acd23a734638d88e65013c0705ad\"> officers had cited as “valuable”</a> in their decision to arrest Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, two longtime suspects in the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"ffdtk\">Attorneys for Paul Flores issued a subpoena to Lambert seeking testimony and reporting materials in August 2021, which San Luis Obispo County Superior Judge Craig van Rooyen dismissed, citing California’s journalist shield law. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documented that case <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/subpoena-for-podcast-host-testimony-in-murder-case-quashed/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7lkl3\">The San Luis Obispo Tribune <a href=\"https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article263377093.html\">reported</a> that the case was moved to Monterey County Superior Court after van Rooyen ruled that pretrial publicity had made it unlikely that the defendants would receive a fair trial in the county.</p><p data-block-key=\"73def\">On July 10, 2022, Lambert tweeted a photo of a section of the subpoena, which shows that he was ordered both to appear to testify at a hearing as well as provide “items” listed in an attachment. While he did not specify what the items were, the first subpoena demanded confidential interview recordings, emails and notes gathered in the course of producing the podcast.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"zxx\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://t.co/8APhMy6P4s\">pic.twitter.com/8APhMy6P4s</a></p>— Your Own Backyard Podcast (@YOBPodcast) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/YOBPodcast/status/1546216558040457216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 10, 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=\"euxs4\">Lambert, who could not immediately be reached for comment, told The Tribune his attorney’s advised him against speaking further about the subpoena or providing additional details because of the gag order placed on the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"bie8j\">According to The Tribune, opening arguments in the case are scheduled for July 18.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"state": {
"name": "California",
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},
"updates": [
"(2022-07-15 19:24:00+00:00) Second subpoena for podcast host testimony, documents quashed"
],
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"Subpoena/Legal Order"
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"Chris Lambert (Freelance)"
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"quashed"
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{
"title": "AJC subpoenaed as part of criminal investigation into 2020 presidential election",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ajc-subpoenaed-as-part-of-criminal-investigation-into-2020-presidential-election/",
"first_published_at": "2022-07-12T17:24:50.095386Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-07-15T13:41:42.326908Z",
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"date": "2022-07-05",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Atlanta",
"longitude": -84.38798,
"latitude": 33.749,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"m8skq\">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was <a href=\"https://www.ajc.com/politics/ajc-subpoenaed-by-fulton-prosecutors-for-audio-of-leaked-call/VWJWL6KXZFANZL6JWT5KGS7WEY/\">subpoenaed</a> in July 2022 by a Fulton County special grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump’s possible interference in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.</p><p data-block-key=\"di1v8\">The grand jury conducting the criminal investigation into Trump’s potential involvement is seeking audio recordings of a Jan. 11, 2021, phone call involving the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Bobby Christine.</p><p data-block-key=\"4eq8h\">According to the AJC, Christine was appointed to the role by Trump on Jan. 4, after his predecessor could not find legitimate claims of election fraud. On Jan. 12, 2021, <a href=\"https://www.ajc.com/news/trumps-pick-for-us-attorney-in-georgia-dismisses-election-fraud-claims-theres-just-nothing-to-them/7JMIL37WANHWXCZD4FTJXH4CIQ/\">AJC reported</a> on the leaked conference call between Christine and staffers. During the call, Christine said he had dismissed two election fraud cases filed by Trump’s supporters on his first day as a U.S. Attorney.</p><p data-block-key=\"a4rnc\">Prosecutors also <a href=\"https://www.ajc.com/politics/fulton-grand-jury-subpoenas-giuliani-graham-trump-confidantes/POUNSTTUXZDGDB3D5LKA7TIQQM/\">issued subpoenas</a> to Trump associates including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.</p><p data-block-key=\"67nbp\">When reached for comment, an AJC editor said the outlet would be publishing a statement on the subpoena. Fulton County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"paoh5\">The Fulton County Elections and Administrative Divisions Office in Atlanta in 2021. County prosecutors investigating the 2020 presidential election subpoenaed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "Georgia",
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},
"updates": [
"(2022-07-14 12:10:00+00:00) AJC publishes, then provides copy of leaked recording to prosecutors in response to subpoena"
],
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"The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"
],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
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"carried out"
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},
{
"title": "Maine reporter on assignment attacked by group of teenagers",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/maine-reporter-on-assignment-attacked-by-group-of-teenagers/",
"first_published_at": "2023-05-05T19:36:40.046471Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-05-05T19:36:40.046471Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-05-05T19:36:39.942477Z",
"date": "2022-07-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Lewiston",
"longitude": -70.21478,
"latitude": 44.10035,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"xifea\">A reporter for the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine, was assaulted on July 5, 2022, while reporting on a story two blocks from the newspaper’s offices.</p><p data-block-key=\"42ifm\">The reporter, who asked to remain anonymous as he no longer works for the newspaper, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he had been following up on a tip concerning an attempted stabbing the night before.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ii7n\">“I was doing a door-knock for a story I was reporting and I encountered some teenagers around 16 or 17 years old and asked them if they knew the person I was looking for, and explained briefly why I was out there,” the reporter said. “They started calling me names, trying to incite some sort of confrontation and I wasn’t responding.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f82p8\">The group of teens then came after the reporter, punching him in the face and throwing a trash can and a traffic cone at him. The reporter said that some people walking nearby came to his aid.</p><p data-block-key=\"e30c3\">Sun Journal Executive Editor Judith Meyer told the Tracker that she was surprised when the reporter returned to the newsroom after just 20 minutes.</p><p data-block-key=\"coql\">“My managing editor said to him, ‘Did you get anything good?’ And he said, ‘I got more than I bargained for,’ and that he had been attacked by these five teenagers,” Meyer said. “It was clear that he’d been hurt and his glasses were broken, so I insisted that we call the police.”</p><p data-block-key=\"aj2nd\">Meyer also called an ambulance after the reporter complained of pain in his eye, which was significantly swollen. The reporter’s cornea was scratched during the attack, he said, but later healed fully.</p><p data-block-key=\"fmski\">The reporter told the Tracker that he elected not to press charges, in part because it happened too quickly to identify any of his attackers and also because they were minors.</p><p data-block-key=\"3b58l\">“They were just kids being stupid, not that that excuses what they did,” the reporter said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2u1up\">Lt. Derrick St. Laurent, public information officer for the Lewiston Police Department, confirmed that no charges were brought against the teens. Because of the suspects’ ages, he said he could not release a copy of the incident report.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"je4p3\">A reporter for the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine, was on assignment two blocks from the paper's office (shown above) when he was confronted and beaten by a group of teenagers on July 5, 2022.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"assailant": "private individual",
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"name": "Maine",
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"Assault"
],
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"Anonymous reporter 4 (Sun Journal)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Journalist subpoenaed to testify in grand jury hearing on Georgia election interference",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-to-testify-in-grand-jury-hearing-on-georgia-election-interference/",
"first_published_at": "2022-08-11T21:42:46.054717Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-08-16T02:22:41.593585Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-08-16T02:22:41.476055Z",
"date": "2022-07-01",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Atlanta",
"longitude": -84.38798,
"latitude": 33.749,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"i78ci\">Independent journalist George Chidi was subpoenaed in July 2022 to testify before a grand jury in Atlanta, Georgia, investigating possible 2020 election interference by former President Donald Trump and his allies.</p><p data-block-key=\"976gq\">Chidi, a former reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution whose work has appeared in The Intercept and the Atlanta hyperlocal news site Decaturish, publishes an award-winning newsletter called <a href=\"https://theatlantaobjective.substack.com/\">The Atlanta Objective</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"bkva4\">In <a href=\"https://theatlantaobjective.substack.com/p/bearing-witness\">his June 29 newsletter</a>, Chidi wrote that he was covering the Dec. 14, 2020, meeting of electors at the Georgia Capitol to cast their official votes for Joe Biden when he observed a Republican elector entering a side room.</p><p data-block-key=\"d3hhf\">“I looked around for [a] minute, asking other reporters what’s going on in there, then I launched a Facebook live and walked in,” Chidi wrote. “I asked the people there what they were doing. One of them, a woman, said they were having a meeting. What’s it about, I asked? ‘Education,’ she replied.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2r3p6\">When someone noted that he was filming, someone else quickly ushered him out of the room, Chidi wrote. After that, someone stood guarding the door.</p><p data-block-key=\"aia1m\">Chidi wrote that he was immediately suspicious and believed 16 Republican electors were working to submit fabricated election results certifying the state’s electoral college votes for Trump despite Biden’s victory in Georgia, <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/gchidi/posts/pfbid03878QJ4b9gPELdyrWNVgYNbunKa5ZV1BsqAd19xVzxNKeipqtfakwbzQDHeddWonql\">posting his suspicions</a> on Facebook.</p><p data-block-key=\"4nblp\">A special grand jury began meeting in Fulton County in June 2022 to investigate the alleged election interference, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/19/georgia-fake-electors/\">according to The Washington Post</a>, and it has identified more than 100 people of interest to date.</p><p data-block-key=\"fk0hj\">According to Chidi’s newsletter, an investigator for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office contacted him on June 27 to ask whether he’d be willing to testify before the grand jury. Chidi did not indicate his response.</p><p data-block-key=\"eebnf\">Chidi was ultimately issued a subpoena which he unsuccessfully fought in court, <a href=\"https://saportareport.com/fulton-das-call-for-journalists-to-testify-in-trump-investigation-raises-legal-ethical-dilemmas/columnists/johnruch/\">according to the Saporta Report</a>. However, the journalist was able to limit the scope of the questions to exclude any unrelated reporting. Chidi testified before the special grand jury on July 13, <a href=\"https://www.wabe.org/local-journalist-testifies-before-fulton-special-grand-jury/\">according to WABE-TV</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"4ej8n\">“Journalists cannot act as agents of the government. Georgia has a longstanding tradition and legal precedent providing for ‘reporter’s privilege’ to prevent journalists from being used as a witness in a case,” Chidi wrote in his newsletter. “The thing is, the reporter’s privilege bends under extraordinary circumstances. And, honestly, how much more extraordinary does it get than a case that might send Donald Trump to prison.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8gpe\">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution <a href=\"https://www.ajc.com/politics/trump-probe-fulton-grand-jury-prepares-to-hear-testimony/GUO25T7L7ZESLAST2HELETHYPI/\">reported</a> that prosecutors notified the newspaper to expect a subpoena for the testimony of reporter Greg Bluestein, who was also present at the December 2020 meeting and who reported extensively about the election and its fallout. The outlet said it will file a motion to quash any subpoena issued to one of its journalists. As of publication, it is unclear if a subpoena has been issued to Bluestein.</p><p data-block-key=\"d8og9\"><i>Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include that George Chidi testified before the special grand jury on July 13, 2022.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"state": {
"name": "Georgia",
"abbreviation": "GA"
},
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"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
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],
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"carried out"
],
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},
{
"title": "Newspaper editor compelled to reveal confidential sources in defamation lawsuit",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/newspaper-editor-compelled-to-reveal-confidential-sources-in-defamation-lawsuit/",
"first_published_at": "2022-07-21T19:43:16.105209Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-13T16:17:39.918078Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-13T16:17:39.829170Z",
"date": "2022-06-30",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Woburn",
"longitude": -71.15228,
"latitude": 42.47926,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hycl0\">A judge ordered the editor of the Everett Leader Herald to release names of confidential sources and unpublished reporting materials on June 30, 2022, as part of a defamation case filed by the mayor of Everett, Massachusetts.</p><p data-block-key=\"19r0m\">According to <a href=\"https://www.universalhub.com/2022/everett-newspaper-give-names-confidential-sources\">UniversalHub</a>, a news and information site for the Boston area, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria sued Joshua Resnek on Oct. 7, 2021, claiming Resnek published “defamatory falsehoods” in three separate articles in the weeks leading up to the mayoral primary.</p><p data-block-key=\"ckttc\">The official complaint states that Resnek published an article on Sept. 8, claiming that DeMaria had “extorted the City Clerk into paying him $96,000” as part of a real estate transaction. DeMaria, who did not respond to a request for comment by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, is also suing the city clerk, who was a source for the article, and the publishers of the Leader.</p><p data-block-key=\"fqqee\">In his <a href=\"https://www.universalhub.com/images/2022/demaria-ruling.pdf\">ruling</a>, Superior Court Associate Justice James Budreau wrote that the First Amendment did not allow the defendant in a libel case to refuse to identify sources on the grounds of reporter’s privilege, but that some protection was provided. The court would “weigh the relevant public interests for each source to determine whether their identities need to be revealed.”</p><p data-block-key=\"41j3a\">Budreau granted a partial motion to compel Resnek to reveal the identities of 10 out of 12 sources.</p><p data-block-key=\"62bb5\">After the ruling, Resnek, who did not respond to a request for comment, agreed to reveal the names and contact information of confidential sources, unpublished notes and emails and will not object to any depositions of sources.</p></div>",
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"state": {
"name": "Massachusetts",
"abbreviation": "MA"
},
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Joshua Resnek (Everett Leader Herald)"
],
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"upheld"
],
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},
{
"title": "Documentarian subpoenaed in Georgia election fraud investigation",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/documentarian-subpoenaed-in-georgia-election-fraud-investigation/",
"first_published_at": "2022-12-12T16:11:23.883245Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:27:46.372746Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:27:46.266725Z",
"date": "2022-06-28",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Atlanta",
"longitude": -84.38798,
"latitude": 33.749,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"e3xkc\">Alex Holder, a documentary filmmaker, complied with a subpoena issued on June 28, 2022, by the District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, as part of an investigation into election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.</p><p data-block-key=\"475fm\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/28/politics/trump-documentary-filmmaker-fulton-county/index.html\">reported that the subpoena</a> was issued as part of a special grand jury investigation into Trump’s alleged interference in attempts to overturn the state’s election results.</p><p data-block-key=\"2b5vd\">According to a <a href=\"https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000181-abf6-d618-a99d-ebf73a1a0000\">copy of the subpoena</a> obtained by Politico, investigators demanded testimony and all video footage and other materials related to Holder’s documentary, “Unprecedented,” which followed the-President Donald Trump during his 2020 reelection campaign. Holder, who was filming in Georgia for the film, confirmed he complied with the order <a href=\"https://www.yahoo.com/video/jan-6-filmmaker-says-cooperating-004808929.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90cnV0aG91dC5vcmcv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAELvtP_NRUcpxaaDTQ1hYqXg_jVbSEcXUI7KegEbX6hl2XwC5Cok4f_6KyiqEm33FplYjEKh5JURvN6Qq3rwSLpedTaaTN-3r82G0Lu7JSXT6ztwzgigLHWtc5fmnQl3uz2WRAcKMMV57GiXEzyyE4sOwpqkzGF2RJxQvfXPNPsP\">during an interview with MSNBC</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"alp6\">Holder previously complied with a <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/documentarian-subpoenaed-by-house-committee-investigating-jan-6-riot/\">June 2022 subpoena</a> from the House committee investigating the Capitol riots. In December, a spokesperson for Holder <a href=\"https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/3757857-doj-subpoenas-filmmaker-for-jan-6-footage/\">told The Hill</a> he would cooperate with another <a href=\"/all-incidents/documentary-filmmaker-subpoenaed-again-in-doj-capitol-riots-investigation/\">subpoena issued by the Department of Justice</a> for materials and testimony related to the Jan. 6 attack.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"wq8x6\">A portion of the subpoena issued to filmmaker Alex Holder on June 28, 2022, by Georgia prosecutors seeking testimony and footage gathered for his documentary “Unprecedented." (SCREENSHOT)</p>",
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"assailant": null,
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "other testimony",
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"legal_order_venue": "State",
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"state": {
"name": "Georgia",
"abbreviation": "GA"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Alex Holder (AJH Media Group)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"carried out"
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},
{
"title": "Photographer documenting reproductive rights protests detained at Arizona Capitol",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-detained-at-arizona-capitol-while-documenting-reproductive-rights-protests/",
"first_published_at": "2022-07-05T20:45:49.442183Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-08-05T19:15:59.230713Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-08-05T19:15:59.178652Z",
"date": "2022-06-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Phoenix",
"longitude": -112.07404,
"latitude": 33.44838,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mkaya\">Photographer Michael "Mike" Gonzalez was detained by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers while documenting reproductive rights protests at the capitol building in Phoenix on June 25, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"cn22p\">Protests broke out across the country following the U.S. Supreme Court’s<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/06/24/us/politics/supreme-court-dobbs-jackson-analysis-roe-wade.html\"> controversial ruling</a> overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, which established that the right to abortion is guaranteed under the right to privacy. The Republic <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/06/26/abortion-rights-protesters-pull-down-arizona-capitol-fence-4-arrested/7741963001/\">reported</a> that protesters in Phoenix gathered at the Arizona Capitol complex, pounding on the doors and windows of the Senate building while the legislature was in session.</p><p data-block-key=\"7p78f\">Troopers set up temporary fences around the perimeter of the Capitol the following morning, according to The Republic.</p><p data-block-key=\"dncrr\">Gonzalez, who documents for LLN Arizona, part of a <a href=\"https://lln.live/\">newsgathering collective</a>, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he and his colleague Jack Sorgi arrived to document as hundreds gathered for demonstrations at the complex that day until most dispersed shortly before 11 p.m.</p><p data-block-key=\"a3k3u\">“There was a crowd that decided to stay — I’d say anywhere between 40 to 70 people,” Gonzalez said. “At some point, there was a group of 5 to 10 people who kept on touching the fence, grabbing the fence, checking its integrity to see how much it would take to pull it down.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9tqvr\">Gonzalez told the Tracker that immediately after some of the individuals pulled down a section of the fence, DPS troopers announced that it was an unlawful assembly and ordered everyone to disperse.</p><p data-block-key=\"9hjco\">“At that same time, DPS from every corner — from inside the building, outside the building, from the street side — stormed in with police cars and riot gear,” Gonzalez said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2d8ai\">Gonzalez said the troopers shouted for everyone to get on the ground, so he knelt on one knee while holding his press pass in front of him and identifying himself as press. In addition to his press badge, Gonzalez said he was wearing a shirt printed with Loud Labs News and was carrying a professional camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"fgoq9\">“A trooper basically storms in, yells at me to get all the way down and basically stands overtop of me as I laid there,” Gonzalez said. He added that he put his camera down in the grass and tried to angle it toward the other journalists who were being detained.</p><p data-block-key=\"dhtvf\">Sorgi and at least one other journalist, Arizona Republic photojournalist Alberto Mariani, were also ordered to the ground by state troopers that night. The Tracker has documented those incidents <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=&date_lower=2022-06-25&date_upper=2022-06-25&city=Phoenix&state=&targeted_journalists=&targeted_institutions=&tags=reproductive+rights&case_number=&case_statuses=&case_type=&release_date_lower=&release_date_upper=&arrest_status=&status_of_charges=&charges=&detention_date_lower=&detention_date_upper=&assailant=&border_point=&target_nationality=&target_us_citizenship_status=&politicians_or_public_figures_involved=&equipment_broken=&actor=&status_of_seized_equipment=&equipment_seized=&workers_whose_communications_were_obtained=&status_of_prior_restraint=&subpoena_type=&subpoena_statuses=&detention_status=&third_party_in_possession_of_communications=&third_party_business=&legal_order_type=\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"5obna\">After a few minutes, Gonzalez was told he could get up and that all members of the press should cross the street and stay out of the troopers’ way.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ivef\">“My number one priority after my initial detainment was to figure out where Jack was and make sure he was good and that he didn’t actually get fully detained and put in handcuffs,” Gonzalez said. Once he located Sorgi, Gonzalez said the pair continued documenting until the troopers had completed the arrests of multiple demonstrators.</p><p data-block-key=\"c74f0\">“We’re press photographers and we’re documenting, so a couple of our rights got broken,” Gonzalez said. “For that to happen on public property is kind of a scary thing to think about. If you go on state property or into a state building, you’re supposed to feel protected or safe and I didn’t.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5rlaa\">When reached for comment, DPS Media Relations Specialist Bart Graves provided this statement: “They were in a restricted area and once they identified themselves as news media (via credentials) they were released. Local media are well aware of the rules.”</p><p data-block-key=\"34irr\">Find press freedom violations documented by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker at reproductive rights demonstrations across the U.S. <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=&date_lower=&date_upper=&city=&state=&targeted_journalists=&targeted_institutions=&tags=reproductive+rights&case_number=&case_statuses=&case_type=&release_date_lower=&release_date_upper=&arrest_status=&status_of_charges=&charges=&detention_date_lower=&detention_date_upper=&assailant=&border_point=&target_nationality=&target_us_citizenship_status=&politicians_or_public_figures_involved=&equipment_broken=&actor=&status_of_seized_equipment=&equipment_seized=&workers_whose_communications_were_obtained=&status_of_prior_restraint=&subpoena_type=&subpoena_statuses=&detention_status=&third_party_in_possession_of_communications=&third_party_business=&legal_order_type=\">here</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"arresting_authority": "Arizona Department of Public Safety",
"arrest_status": "detained and released without being processed",
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"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"border_point": null,
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"assailant": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Arizona",
"abbreviation": "AZ"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"court verdict",
"protest",
"reproductive rights"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Michael \"Mike\" Gonzalez (LLN Arizona)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
"type_of_denial": null
},
{
"title": "Arizona Republic photographer detained while documenting protests",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/arizona-republic-photographer-detained-while-documenting-protests/",
"first_published_at": "2022-06-29T22:14:24.470302Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-01-29T15:42:43.660512Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-01-29T15:42:43.552976Z",
"date": "2022-06-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Phoenix",
"longitude": -112.07404,
"latitude": 33.44838,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"nzxka\">Photojournalist Alberto Mariani, a Pulliam Fellow with the Arizona Republic, was detained by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers while documenting reproductive rights protests at the capitol building in Phoenix on June 25, 2022.</p><p data-block-key=\"88nr4\">Protests broke out across the country following the U.S. Supreme Court’s<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/06/24/us/politics/supreme-court-dobbs-jackson-analysis-roe-wade.html\"> controversial ruling</a> overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, which established that the right to abortion is guaranteed under the right to privacy. The Republic <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/06/26/abortion-rights-protesters-pull-down-arizona-capitol-fence-4-arrested/7741963001/\">reported</a> that protesters in Phoenix gathered at the Arizona Capitol complex, pounding on the doors and windows of the Senate building while the legislature was in session.</p><p data-block-key=\"d8fv7\">Mariani told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that troopers set up temporary fences around the perimeter of the Capitol the following morning. Hundreds gathered for demonstrations at the complex that evening, Mariani said, and the protests continued peacefully until around 11 p.m. when most of the protesters dispersed.</p><p data-block-key=\"72eku\">“Around 11:30 p.m. that night, there were 50 or 60 people around and about five people started pulling down the fences,” Mariani said. “At that moment, once they tore down the fences, a group of 20 or 30 state troopers came out.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1fp2f\">The troopers announced that the assembly was unlawful and ordered everyone to disperse, but Mariani said that within 20 to 30 seconds the crowd — including him and Republic photojournalists Joel Angel Juárez and Antranik Tavitian — were surrounded.</p><p data-block-key=\"c8jdd\">“We were shouting that we were members of the press as we were holding our press badges up in the air, our cameras as well,” Mariani told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"52nh\">Mariani said he was separated from his colleagues and was standing approximately 5 to 10 feet away when a trooper approached and ordered him to get on the ground.</p><p data-block-key=\"5oml4\">“I followed the order and got on the ground on my knees,” Mariani said. “As soon as I did, that same officer pushed me to the ground and restrained me for a little bit, and I saw from the photos that he was actually trying to handcuff me.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Arizona Republic Pulliam Fellow <a href=\"https://twitter.com/albe_mariani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@albe_mariani</a>, 1st photo, was also temporarily detained by Arizona State Troopers during tonight’s abortion-rights rally. He was released within minutes after <a href=\"https://twitter.com/AntranikTaviti1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AntranikTaviti1</a>, 2nd photo, & myself identified him as a member of the press. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/azcentral?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@azcentral</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/fbxXCBAqi0\">pic.twitter.com/fbxXCBAqi0</a></p>— Joel Angel Juárez (@jajuarezphoto) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jajuarezphoto/status/1540970644694831104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 26, 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=\"nzxka\">Mariani said the trooper “absolutely” knew he was a journalist when he ordered Mariani to the ground, and continued to restrain him for several minutes until his colleagues told another trooper that he was with The Republic.</p><p data-block-key=\"7b3di\">“It’s just evident that the officers didn’t care whether you were wearing a press badge or not,” Mariani said.</p><p data-block-key=\"c4t2k\">Jack Sorgi, a photographer with LLN Arizona, a newsgathering collective, was also detained by state troopers that night. The Tracker has documented that incident <a href=\"/all-incidents/photographer-detained-at-arizona-capitol-while-documenting-protests/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"53nig\">After he was released, Mariani and his colleagues were ordered to the other side of the road along with all other members of the press. He said they were able to continue documenting without further issue as other detainees were arrested and processed.</p><p data-block-key=\"8274c\">When reached for comment, DPS Media Relations Specialist Bart Graves provided this statement: “They were in a restricted area and once they identified themselves as news media (via credentials) they were released. Local media are well aware of the rules.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1j688\">Find press freedom violations documented by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker at reproductive rights demonstrations across the U.S. <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=&date_lower=&date_upper=&city=&state=&targeted_journalists=&targeted_institutions=&tags=reproductive+rights&case_number=&case_statuses=&case_type=&release_date_lower=&release_date_upper=&arrest_status=&status_of_charges=&charges=&detention_date_lower=&detention_date_upper=&assailant=&border_point=&target_nationality=&target_us_citizenship_status=&politicians_or_public_figures_involved=&equipment_broken=&actor=&status_of_seized_equipment=&equipment_seized=&workers_whose_communications_were_obtained=&status_of_prior_restraint=&subpoena_type=&subpoena_statuses=&detention_status=&third_party_in_possession_of_communications=&third_party_business=&legal_order_type=\">here</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"arresting_authority": "Arizona Department of Public Safety",
"arrest_status": "detained and released without being processed",
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"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Arizona",
"abbreviation": "AZ"
},
"updates": [],
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"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"court verdict",
"protest",
"reproductive rights"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Alberto Mariani (Arizona Republic)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [],
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}
]
