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"title": "Trump, his administration move to punish outlets during second term",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-administration-allies-move-to-punish-outlets-during-first-weeks-in-office/",
"first_published_at": "2025-01-30T20:43:36.335430Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T20:50:48.028830Z",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"63pix\">From the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term, he and his administration have taken steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered them unfavorably. We’re documenting Trump’s direct actions in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"coqi2\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"cv9ql\"><i>This article was first published on March 14, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"aq2uo\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 1\">May 1, 2025 | Trump signs executive order eliminating funding to NPR, PBS</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 14\">April 14, 2025 | White House plans to formally ask Congress to cut PBS, NPR funding</a> \r\n<p><a href=\"#March 14-2\">March 14, 2025 | Trump signs executive order gutting government-funded news outlets</a> \r\n<p><a href=\"#March 14-1\">March 14, 2025 | Trump says negative press coverage ‘illegal’ during speech at DOJ</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"3ocum\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"a5gu5\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"May 1\" name=\"May 1\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"8udpj\">May 1, 2025 | Trump signs executive order eliminating funding to NPR, PBS</h4><p data-block-key=\"4s8m1\">President Donald Trump signed an <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/ending-taxpayer-subsidization-of-biased-media/\">executive order</a> on May 1, 2025, instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS, citing their alleged “biased and partisan news coverage.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3limi\">In a <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/05/president-trump-finally-ends-the-madness-of-npr-pbs/\">news release</a> the following day, the White House accused the news outlets of using “millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"a70ca\">Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB, issued a <a href=\"https://cpb.org/pressroom/Corporation-Public-Broadcasting-Statement-Regarding-Executive-Order-Public-Media\">statement</a> pushing back against the executive order, citing provisions expressly forbidding government actors from attempting to direct the corporation’s work.</p><p data-block-key=\"d2077\">“CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President’s authority,” Harrison wrote. “Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eoev4\">Trump’s executive order came just days after he directed a staff member to email three of CPB’s five board members to alert them that they had been removed from their positions. The board as a whole and the targeted members — Diane Kaplan, Laura Ross and Thomas Rothman — <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.279991/gov.uscourts.dcd.279991.1.0.pdf\">sued</a> Trump on April 29, seeking a judicial declaration that the order is unenforceable, as the president has no power to remove them.</p><p data-block-key=\"edl4d\">“Put simply, Congress conceived CPB as a vehicle for infusing federal money into public broadcasting without the introduction of government direction or control,” the suit states. “Moreover, Congress protected the CPB from the executive branch by withholding from CPB any form, pure or quasi, of legislative, judicial, or regulatory power.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9mfat\">White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers dismissed CPB’s assertions in a <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/04/29/nx-s1-5381045/cpb-board-members-trump-lawsuit-npr-pbs\">statement to NPR</a>. “As numerous courts have repeatedly affirmed, the Constitution gives President Trump the power to remove personnel who exercise his executive authority,” Rogers said. “The Trump Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.”</p><p data-block-key=\"73dcs\">District Judge Randolph Moss has <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69966304/corporation-for-public-broadcasting-v-trump/\">ordered</a> both sides to file arguments on CPB’s motion, which seeks a temporary restraining order to prevent Trump’s order from taking effect.</p><p data-block-key=\"aqc9u\">Trump’s executive order and attempt to remove CPB board members were the latest attacks on public broadcasting by his administration or allies in Congress. Earlier, the White House <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-administration-allies-move-to-punish-outlets-during-first-weeks-in-office/#April%2014\">drafted a recision request</a> to revoke $1.1 billion in approved funding for the corporation, FCC Chair Brendan Carr <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/brendan-carr-targets-news-outlets-as-chair-of-the-fcc/#Jan%2029\">launched investigations</a> into PBS and NPR over their advertising and sponsorship practices, and Reps. <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/rep-ronny-jackson-targets-press-as-member-of-congress/#March%2027\">Ronny Jackson</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-targets-press-as-doge-subcommittee-chair/\">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a> have demeaned the outlets and threatened their funding.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"April 14\" name=\"April 14\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"qezxr\">April 14, 2025 | White House plans to formally ask Congress to cut PBS, NPR funding</h4><p data-block-key=\"bfp4o\">The Trump White House plans to formally ask Congress to cancel $1.1 billion in funding already approved for public broadcasting, multiple news outlets reported on April 14, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"94l7i\"><a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5352827/npr-pbs-public-media-trump-rescission-funding\">According to NPR</a>, the White House has drafted a rescission request that calls for the elimination of two years’ worth of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in turn partially funds NPR and PBS.</p><p data-block-key=\"fnilc\">The administration intends to send it to Congress when lawmakers return from a two-week recess on April 28. Only a simple majority vote is needed to approve the request.</p><p data-block-key=\"2oum8\">In a <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/the-npr-pbs-grift-has-ripped-us-off-for-too-long/\">statement</a> published April 14, which did not mention the draft request, the White House asserted that NPR and PBS are publishing “trash” and have engaged in a “grift.”</p><p data-block-key=\"79mab\">“For years, American taxpayers have been on the hook for subsidizing National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news,’” the statement said. “As President Trump has stated, taxpayer funding of NPR’s and PBS’s biased content is a waste.”</p><p data-block-key=\"di1s6\">Trump <a href=\"https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1904610620659687944\">said</a> during a March 25 meeting with U.S. ambassadors that he would “love” to eliminate funding for the public broadcasters, and in an April 1 <a href=\"https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114264549657133828\">social media post</a> called on Republicans in Congress to “DEFUND AND TOTALLY DISASSOCIATE THEMSELVES FROM NPR & PBS, THE RADICAL LEFT ‘MONSTERS’ THAT SO BADLY HURT OUR COUNTRY.”</p><p data-block-key=\"a2fle\">In a statement published by NPR, the outlet said, “Eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would have a devastating impact on American communities across the nation that rely on public radio for trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information.</p><p data-block-key=\"2ri6t\">“We serve the public interest. It’s not just in our name — it’s our mission.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 14-2\" name=\"March 14-2\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"3ocum\">March 14, 2025 | Trump signs executive order gutting government-funded news outlets</h4><p data-block-key=\"8bsve\">In a late-night executive order, President Donald Trump eliminated all functions not required by law for the United States Agency for Global Media, along with a half-dozen other federal agencies, referring to them as “unnecessary governmental entities.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1cbav\">The USAGM oversees Voice of America and the office that manages Radio and TV Martí, as well as provides funding for private international broadcasters Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.</p><p data-block-key=\"2frfm\">Michael Abramowitz, director of Voice of America, confirmed in a March 15 <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/abramowitzmj/posts/pfbid02ocNQehfifbHeAAv5qDWW55BSkwEhB9L91UyxfsJBApKw38j2fzY4DdLkc7SorUJUl\">statement</a> on his personal Facebook page that he and nearly the entire staff of the news organization — more than 1,300 journalists, producers and support staff — had been suspended.</p><p data-block-key=\"fn0a6\">“I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced,” Abramowitz wrote. “VOA needs thoughtful reform, and we have made progress in that regard. But today’s action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its vital mission.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9ji7j\">No articles have been published on the VOA website since around 2 p.m. on March 15. The Independent <a href=\"https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-media-voice-america-bloody-saturday-b2716583.html\">reported</a> that by the following night, many of the employees placed on leave had been fired, including <a href=\"https://x.com/liamjscott/status/1901416015352811693\">press freedom reporter Liam Scott</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"e5i1s\">NPR <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/03/15/nx-s1-5329244/bloody-saturday-voiceofamerica-radio-free-asia-europe-trump-kari-lake\">reported</a> that USAGM also severed its contracts with the private international broadcasters it funds.</p><p data-block-key=\"8n9hf\">In a March 15 <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/03/the-voice-of-radical-america/\">news release</a>, the White House railed against “The Voice of Radical America,” and said Trump’s executive order “will ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4pou4\">Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, had <a href=\"https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1888574212316582230?lang=en\">called</a> for the USAGM news outlets to be shut down in early February, writing, “It’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5f0g7\">Grant Turner, a former senior executive at USAGM, called the cuts “Bloody Saturday” and told NPR, “It took decades to build this goodwill and an audience of hundreds of millions every week. Seeing arsonists just set fire to it all is awful.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cmu5k\">Steve Capus, the president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said in a statement shared with NPR, “The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s grant agreement would be a massive gift to America’s enemies.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 14-1\" name=\"March 14-1\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"3ocum\">March 14, 2025 | Trump says negative press coverage ‘illegal’ during speech at DOJ</h4><p data-block-key=\"5mqt4\">President Donald Trump called the critical news coverage of his administration “illegal” and “corrupt” during a speech at the Department of Justice on March 14, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"5d8fd\">Amid his <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i41Av4eYO8\">nearly hourlong remarks</a>, Trump said that many judges, including those on the Supreme Court, “take tremendous abuse” from news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and broadcast networks, likening the coverage to judicial interference. “It’s truly interference in my opinion and it should be illegal and it probably is illegal in some form,” Trump said.</p><p data-block-key=\"ecl8u\">He went on to claim that CNN and MSNBC are “political arms of the Democrat Party.”</p><p data-block-key=\"vpnv\">“These networks and these newspapers are really no different than a highly paid political operative and it has to stop, it has to be illegal,” Trump said.</p><p data-block-key=\"d5tm7\">As Trump decried his perceived enemies in the media, justice system and nonprofit sector, he advanced the DOJ as a tool to exact his personal vengeance. He asserted that he is the chief law enforcement officer — which The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-bondi-patel-justice-fbi-retribution-ec275e730c6e75f2d6ee29eeec30fa07\">reported</a> is technically Attorney General Pam Bondi — and as such will demand “full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"7bspe\">President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One as he departs from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on March 14, 2025.</p>",
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{
"title": "Pam Bondi targets journalists, leakers as U.S. attorney general",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pam-bondi-targets-journalists-leakers-as-us-attorney-general/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-28T20:35:40.152281Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:18:30.343378Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:18:30.194041Z",
"date": "2025-04-25",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mfti3\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi joined Trump in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"14u4v\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"bh0ov\"><i>This article was first published on April 28, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"13h14\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 25\">April 25, 2025 | U.S. attorney general rescinds journalists’ protection from federal subpoenas</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mfti3\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"eab54\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 25\" name=\"April 25\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"mfti3\">April 25, 2025 | U.S. attorney general rescinds journalists’ protection from federal subpoenas</h4><p data-block-key=\"f570p\">U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a memo released on April 25, 2025, directed the reversal of Biden-era policies that protected journalists from having their records seized or being forced to testify amid leak investigations.</p><p data-block-key=\"2eaqj\">Under President Donald Trump’s first administration, the Department of Justice secretly obtained or attempted to obtain records from <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_upper=2021-01-13&tags=Department+of+Justice&legal_order_target=THIRD_PARTY&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">at least nine journalists</a> in connection with leak investigations. Such subpoenas endanger both the targeted journalists and the foundation of investigative journalism, which relies on source protection.</p><p data-block-key=\"64fs8\">After these subpoenas were made public, Biden administration Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in July 2021 that he was <a href=\"https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/doj-formally-adopts-new-policy-restricting-use-compulsory-process-obtain-reporter-information\">changing the department’s policies</a> to prevent such seizures of journalists’ records.</p><p data-block-key=\"bl514\">Less than four years later, Bondi <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25919680-bondi-memo/?mode=document\">justified</a> the revocation of that policy as necessary to thwart leaks that she said jeopardize the DOJ’s ability to “uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6pdt8\">“I have concluded that it is necessary to rescind Merrick Garland’s policies precluding the Department of Justice from seeking records and compelling testimony from members of the news media in order to identify and punish the source of improper leaks,” Bondi <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25919680-bondi-memo/?mode=document\">wrote in her April 25 memo</a>. “This Justice Department will not tolerate unauthorized disclosures that undermine President Trump’s policies, victimize government agencies, and cause harm to the American people.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dsfm6\">Bondi noted, however, that there will still be procedures in place to ensure such measures are only used when “essential” to successfully investigating or prosecuting the source of sensitive leaks. The language of the new policy had not been made public as of publication.</p><p data-block-key=\"5afkl\">Freedom of the Press Foundation, of which the Tracker is a project, condemned Bondi’s decision and criticized members of Congress who did not prioritize passing a federal shield law in 2024 that would have protected journalists from such subpoenas.</p><p data-block-key=\"7u74d\">“Every Democrat who put the PRESS Act on the back burner when they had the opportunity to pass a bipartisan bill codifying journalist-source confidentiality should be ashamed,” FPF Advocacy Director Seth Stern wrote in a statement. “Everyone predicted this would happen in a second Trump administration, yet politicians in a position to prevent it prioritized empty rhetoric over putting up a meaningful fight.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"m7s1z\">U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2025.</p>",
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{
"title": "Tulsi Gabbard targets press, leakers as national intelligence director",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tulsi-gabbard-targets-press-leakers-as-national-intelligence-director/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:11:56.617031Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:42.800166Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:42.689041Z",
"date": "2025-04-23",
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"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"i6tw2\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"20bip\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"dg89\"><i>This article was first published on March 14, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"2jlqg\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 23\">April 23, 2025 | Intelligence director announces referral of leakers to Justice Department</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 14\">March 14, 2025 | Investigation opened into media leaks from U.S. spy agencies</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"i6tw2\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"erfo7\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 23\" name=\"April 23\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"466w0\">April 23, 2025 | Intelligence director announces referral of leakers to Justice Department</h4><p data-block-key=\"blvja\">National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard announced on April 23, 2025, that she had referred two individuals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution for allegedly leaking to the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"4vnd4\">“These deep-state criminals leaked classified information for partisan political purposes to undermine POTUS’ agenda,” Gabbard <a href=\"https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915150870255210774\">wrote</a>. “I look forward to working with @TheJusticeDept and @FBI to investigate, terminate and prosecute these criminals.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. <br> <br>Today, I referred two intelligence community LEAKS…</p>— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915150870255210774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"466w0\">Gabbard and her <a href=\"https://x.com/alexahenning/status/1915149991934407053\">deputy chief of staff</a> also noted that a third criminal referral was imminent.</p><p data-block-key=\"ffbp\">The Washington Post <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/24/tulsi-gabbard-leaks-leakers-justice-department/\">reported</a> that such referrals are common when classified information is published by the press, and the DOJ then decides whether to investigate or pursue criminal charges.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 14\" name=\"March 14\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"i6tw2\">March 14, 2025 | Investigation opened into media leaks from U.S. spy agencies</h4><p data-block-key=\"9rin\">Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, <a href=\"https://www.odni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2025/4053-pr-02-25\">announced</a> on March 14, 2025, that the Trump administration will aggressively investigate the source of leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies to members of the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"63nn\">In <a href=\"https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1900525554039939309\">posts</a> on the social platform X, Gabbard cited recent reports by HuffPost, The Washington Post, NBC News and The Record as examples of such “politically motivated leaks.” She added that the leaks “undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b2408\">The New York Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/trump-administration-leak-investigations.html\">reported</a> that, while Gabbard promised action against the leakers and not the newsrooms that publish it, it signals an effort to chill national security reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"du0gi\">“Leak investigations threaten the free flow of information that the public needs to hold the government accountable, especially in the national security context,” Bruce Brown, the president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, told the Times. “This is true from administration to administration.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-03-08T024534Z_549153628_RC29.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"lqk4u\">Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard speaks during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on March 5, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
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"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
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"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": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"HuffPost",
"Media",
"NBC News",
"The Record",
"The Washington Post"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "News crew caught in gunfire outside South Carolina park",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-outside-south-carolina-park/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:22:53.603411Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:22:53.603411Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-01T19:17:30.003726Z",
"date": "2025-04-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chester",
"longitude": -81.21426,
"latitude": 34.70486,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"e1toc\">A WJZY news vehicle was struck with a stray bullet while two television journalists sat inside working on an unrelated story in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"49erl\">Photojournalist Donald Fountain and reporter <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-near-south-carolina-park-vehicle-damaged\">Jen Cardone</a> <a href=\"https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/chester-county/queen-city-news-reporter-photojournalist-shot-at-inside-vehicle-as-gunfire-erupts-at-chester-county-fairgrounds/\">reported</a> that they were finishing a piece on water runoff issues near the Chester County Fairgrounds at around 3:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted.</p><p data-block-key=\"41jkd\">“Bullets just started going off,” Fountain said.</p><p data-block-key=\"7i03m\">Chester County dispatchers reported multiple armed individuals were seen and that approximately 14 shots were fired, one of which struck the news vehicle, hitting just above the passenger window where Cardone was sitting.</p><p data-block-key=\"7hcau\">“I just froze,” Fountain said. “Then I saw one of the other guys come behind our car, and it was like, ‘Call 911.’ So I’m calling 911, and so many things are just going through my mind at that point. I’m just thinking, ‘Please don’t turn that gun on us because we were the only ones who saw it.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"ekkja\">Neither of the journalists was injured, though one individual was struck in the leg and was released following treatment.</p><p data-block-key=\"53epl\">WJZY reported that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the shooting investigation, which is ongoing.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Fountain_SC_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"uhlt1\">WJZY television photojournalist Donald Fountain recounts how a bullet struck the news vehicle in which he and reporter Jen Cardone were finishing a report near the county fairgrounds in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "unknown",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "South Carolina",
"abbreviation": "SC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Donald Fountain (WJZY)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Brendan Carr targets news outlets as chair of the FCC",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/brendan-carr-targets-news-outlets-as-chair-of-the-fcc/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T15:59:35.542582Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:00.519568Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:00.400916Z",
"date": "2025-04-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"96x0e\">From the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Brendan Carr, chair and senior Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission, has joined Trump in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Carr’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"1fmn2\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6sksi\"><i>This article was first published on Jan. 22, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"f2d5p\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 16\">April 16, 2025 | FCC chair threatens Comcast licenses for alleged ‘news distortion’</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 27\">March 27, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into ABC, Disney over DEI policy</a> \r\n<p><a href=\"#Feb 11\">Feb. 11, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into NBC parent over DEI program</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Feb 5\">Feb. 5, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into California radio station</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Jan 29\">Jan. 29, 2025 | FCC opens investigations into NPR, PBS; calls on CBS to turn over interview transcript</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Jan 22\">Jan. 22, 2025 | FCC chair reinstates complaints against three news outlets</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"96x0e\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"9mg5b\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 16\" name=\"April 16\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"w1k1x\">April 16, 2025 | FCC chair threatens Comcast licenses for alleged ‘news distortion’</h4><p data-block-key=\"a2hc7\">Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr accused Comcast — the parent company of MSNBC and NBC News — of violating its broadcast licenses in a <a href=\"https://x.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/1912641900558893377\">post</a> on the social platform X on April 16, 2025, citing the outlets’ reporting on the wrongful deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia.</p><p data-block-key=\"dhm7c\">“Comcast outlets spent days misleading the American public—implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law abiding U.S. citizen, just a regular ‘Maryland man.’ When the truth comes out, they ignore it,” Carr wrote. “Comcast knows that federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the public interest. News distortion doesn’t cut it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5pgs9\">According to the <a href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/broadcast-news-distortion\">FCC</a>, while broadcast stations like NBC News are subject to the agency’s jurisdiction, cable networks like MSNBC are not.</p><p data-block-key=\"e3d2h\">On April 21, the Center for American Rights filed a <a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/14eP0vSwkhKjGetg9yw-PybuL7_aNL005/view\">complaint</a> with the FCC against NBC, ABC and CBS alleging the outlets provided “false or misleading information” during their coverage about Abrego Garcia. The outlets were already the subjects of investigations <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/brendan-carr-targets-news-outlets-as-chair-of-the-fcc/#Jan%2022\">reopened</a> by Carr in February following complaints filed by the conservative group.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 27\" name=\"March 27\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"96x0e\">March 27, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into ABC, Disney over DEI policy</h4><p data-block-key=\"2phhf\">Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, in a March 27, 2025, <a href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/Carr-Letter-to-Disney-DEI-03252027.pdf\">letter</a> to ABC and its parent Disney, said the agency had launched an investigation into the company’s promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.</p><p data-block-key=\"1r95j\">“Numerous reports indicate that Disney’s leadership went all in on invidious forms of DEI discrimination a few years ago and apparently did so in a manner that infected many aspects of your company’s decisions,” Carr wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"5u0v6\">While Disney <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/02/07/nx-s1-5288947/trump-dei-disney-pepsi-diversity\">scaled back its diversity efforts</a> in November 2024, Carr indicated that the changes may not have gone far enough. “I want to ensure that Disney ends any and all discriminatory initiatives in substance, not just name,” he added.</p><p data-block-key=\"4l21q\">Carr specified that the probe will apply to both past and current policies.</p><p data-block-key=\"a78he\">President Donald Trump has made eliminating DEI programs a pillar of his second term, signing a Jan. 22 <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-protects-civil-rights-and-merit-based-opportunity-by-ending-illegal-dei/\">executive order</a> eliminating them in the federal government and pressuring private companies to follow suit.</p><p data-block-key=\"9ne57\">A Disney spokesperson told Reuters, “We are reviewing the Federal Communications Commission’s letter, and we look forward to engaging with the commission to answer its questions.”</p><p data-block-key=\"17erv\">In an interview with Fox News on March 31, Carr suggested that the broadcaster’s license could be at risk, <a href=\"https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5224716-fcc-chair-abc-broadcast-license-disney-dei/\">The Hill reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"1nbq6\">“If the evidence does in fact play out and shows that they were engaged in race- and gender-based discrimination, that’s a very serious issue at the FCC, that could fundamentally go to their character qualifications to even hold a license,” Carr said.</p><p data-block-key=\"e6hgg\">ABC News is also facing an FCC investigation into how the broadcaster moderated the debate between Trump and former President Joe Biden, which Carr <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/brendan-carr-targets-news-outlets-as-chair-of-the-fcc/#Jan%2022\">reopened in January</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Feb 11\" name=\"Feb 11\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"96x0e\">Feb. 11, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into NBC parent over DEI program</h4><p data-block-key=\"45d71\">Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, in a Feb. 11, 2025, <a href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/Chairman-Carr-Letter%20to-Comcast-02112025.pdf\">letter</a> to NBC News parent Comcast, said the agency would launch an investigation into the company’s promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.</p><p data-block-key=\"eeugk\">“The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act,” Carr’s letter read, “including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2vs7s\">President Donald Trump has made eliminating DEI programs a pillar of his second term, signing an <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-protects-civil-rights-and-merit-based-opportunity-by-ending-illegal-dei/\">executive order</a> eliminating such programs in the federal government on Jan. 22 and pressuring private companies to follow suit. PBS News <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/benmullin.bsky.social/post/3lhu6bpgyb22s\">told employees</a> on Feb. 11 that it was eliminating its DEI office to be in compliance with the administration’s policy.</p><p data-block-key=\"9id98\">Tom Wheeler, a former chair of the FCC, <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/business/media/fcc-comcast-nbc-dei-discrimination.html\">told The New York Times</a> that this latest investigation fits a pattern of Carr using the commission’s authority to advance Trump’s political aims.</p><p data-block-key=\"7l42\">“It’s clear that what is going on here is — whether it be Comcast and DEI or NPR and PBS, or CBS and the ‘60 Minutes’ interview — is how can you use the coercive authority of regulation to accomplish the goals of your master and mentor, Donald Trump?” Wheeler said.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Feb 5\" name=\"Feb 5\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"96x0e\">Feb. 5, 2025 | FCC opens investigation into California radio station</h4><p data-block-key=\"fp4mb\">Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr launched an investigation into San Francisco, California, radio station KCBS on Feb. 5, 2025, after the station broadcast the locations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during operations in the San Jose area, Fox News <a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/media/fcc-launches-probe-soros-backed-radio-station-revealed-live-locations-undercover-ice-agents\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvks\">Carr told Fox that he believes KCBS may have violated licensing rules requiring broadcasters to operate in the “public interest.”</p><p data-block-key=\"aq9a2\">Carr had <a href=\"https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2024/09/30/soros-backed-group-wins-fcc-approval-for-us-radio-stations/\">previously opposed</a> the transfer of the station’s license, following Republican scrutiny of the ownership role of billionaire investor George Soros, a Democratic megadonor whose nonprofit now controls the broadcasting outlet.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Jan 29\" name=\"Jan 29\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"96x0e\">Jan. 29, 2025 | FCC opens investigations into NPR, PBS; calls on CBS to turn over interview transcript</h4><p data-block-key=\"8fo81\">Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr informed public broadcasters NPR and PBS on Jan. 29, 2025, that he had initiated an investigation into the news outlets, <a href=\"https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/340343f285781674/6da3eb69-full.pdf\">suggesting</a> that they may have violated federal law by airing commercial advertisements. A copy of the letter was also shared with members of Congress, Carr wrote, because of its potential relevance to ongoing debates.</p><p data-block-key=\"4h3fp\">“In particular, Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming,” the letter read. “For my own part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace since the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.”</p><p data-block-key=\"433k7\">That same day, the FCC sent a letter of inquiry to CBS News demanding that the outlet turn over the “full, unedited transcript and camera feeds” from a Kamala Harris interview on “60 Minutes” in October 2024, according to a <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-fcc-60-minutes/?intcid=CNR-02-0623\">statement</a> published by the broadcaster.</p><p data-block-key=\"ff5g4\">CBS said that it was working to comply with the inquiry, “as we are legally compelled to do.” The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was unable to obtain a copy of the inquiry as of press time.</p><p data-block-key=\"749v8\">A spokesperson for CBS <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/us/cbs-turns-over-documents-fcc-probe-into-then-vp-harris-60-minutes-interview-2025-02-04/\">told Reuters</a> that the news organization submitted the documents to the FCC on Feb. 3. In an <a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/video/6368206882112\">interview with Fox News</a>, Carr said he was “open minded as to potential consequences” and that he would consider releasing the transcript in the interest of transparency.</p><p data-block-key=\"avh2v\">CBS <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-publishes-transcripts-video-requested-by-fcc/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7d&linkId=738794635\">published</a> the transcripts and video that it turned over to Carr on Feb. 5. “They show — consistent with 60 Minutes’ repeated assurances to the public — that the 60 Minutes broadcast was not doctored or deceitful,” the outlet wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"2kjf3\">The Harris interview was the <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-filed-or-threatened-multiple-lawsuits-against-outlets-ahead-of-election/\">focus of a federal lawsuit</a> filed against CBS on behalf of President Donald Trump, which alleged the network had “doctored” the broadcast in an attempt to influence the presidential election. Trump had demanded the network release unedited tapes and transcripts. CBS has maintained the claims are false and the suit without merit.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Jan 22\" name=\"Jan 22\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"96x0e\">Jan. 22, 2025 | FCC chair reinstates complaints against three news outlets</h4><p data-block-key=\"61dl2\">Brendan Carr, a Donald Trump appointee and the new chair of the Federal Communications Commission, reinstated complaints against multiple outlets that Trump targeted <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/all-the-presidents-invective/\">leading up to</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/media-in-the-courthouse/\">in the wake of</a> the election, alleging their reporting was biased and aimed at swaying favor toward his opponent.</p><p data-block-key=\"7c0di\">NPR <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/01/16/nx-s1-5262424/fcc-trump-tv-licenses-rosenworcel\">reported</a> that, shortly before leaving office, then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed complaints about appearances by Kamala Harris on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” and about how ABC News moderated the debate between Trump and former President Joe Biden.</p><p data-block-key=\"9ae69\">“We don’t have the luxury of doing anything other than making very, very clear that this agency and its licensing authority should not be weaponized in a way that is fundamentally at odds with the First Amendment,” Rosenworcel said. “This agency should not be the president’s speech police and this agency shouldn’t be journalism’s censor-in-chief.”</p><p data-block-key=\"efm03\">Rosenworcel also <a href=\"https://www.phillyvoice.com/fcc-dismisses-petition-fox-29-license-renewal-complaint-6abc/\">dismissed</a> a complaint against a Philadelphia Fox station for allegedly promoting lies about election fraud in the 2020 election.</p><p data-block-key=\"f55g8\">Carr took over as FCC chair on Jan. 20, and reinstated the complaints against ABC, CBS and NBC two days later. In a statement, the agency said that the complaints had been dismissed “prematurely based on an insufficient investigatory record,” <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/fcc-reinstates-complaints-abc-cbs-nbc\">according to The Guardian</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7sdj0\">Carr had <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/fcc-commissioner-accuses-media-ratings-provider-of-censorship/\">previously demonstrated</a> his willingness to target news outlets based on alleged bias, and he has supported Trump’s calls for NBC, CBS and ABC to lose their broadcast licenses over their alleged mistreatment of him, NPR<a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/11/17/nx-s1-5193064/fcc-chair-brendan-carr-trump\"> reported</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP23172686742019.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"5mjqq\">The Federal Communications Commission’s Brendan Carr testifies during an oversight hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in June 2023.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"ABC News",
"CBS News",
"KCBS",
"MSNBC",
"National Public Radio",
"NBC News",
"PBS News"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
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"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
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},
{
"title": "News crew caught in gunfire near South Carolina park, vehicle damaged",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-near-south-carolina-park-vehicle-damaged/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:21:18.876979Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:21:18.876979Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-01T19:17:26.917156Z",
"date": "2025-04-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chester",
"longitude": -81.21426,
"latitude": 34.70486,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wan8n\">A WJZY news vehicle was struck with a stray bullet while two television journalists sat inside working on an unrelated story in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"9jreb\">Reporter Jen Cardone and photojournalist <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-outside-south-carolina-park\">Donald Fountain</a> <a href=\"https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/chester-county/queen-city-news-reporter-photojournalist-shot-at-inside-vehicle-as-gunfire-erupts-at-chester-county-fairgrounds/\">reported</a> that they were finishing a piece on water runoff issues near the Chester County Fairgrounds at around 3:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted.</p><p data-block-key=\"5vnav\">“It sounded like firecrackers going on,” Cardone said.</p><p data-block-key=\"avj6v\">Chester County dispatchers reported multiple armed individuals were seen and that approximately 14 shots were fired, one of which struck the news vehicle, hitting just above the passenger window where Cardone was sitting.</p><p data-block-key=\"dj8ec\">“If I had been leaning forward and not sitting back to edit and work on the story or if that bullet just came down a few inches, I’d probably be dead right now, not talking to you,” Cardone said.</p><p data-block-key=\"imqb\">Neither of the journalists was injured, though one individual was struck in the leg and was released following treatment. In a post on social media, Cardone wrote that in 10 years of reporting the experience was a first, adding, “Thankful to be alive and okay but still shaken up.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I’ve been a reporter for 10 years now and have been close to shootings but never hit by stray bullets. Today, this one nearly hit my head in the passenger seat. Thankful to be alive and okay but still shaken up <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Queen_City_News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Queen_City_News</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/wooyJJTYVd\">pic.twitter.com/wooyJJTYVd</a></p>— Jen Cardone (@Card1Reports) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Card1Reports/status/1912608544270217561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wan8n\">WJZY reported that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the shooting investigation, which is ongoing.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Cardone_SC_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"qoh5q\">WJZY television reporter Jen Cardone recounts how a bullet struck the news vehicle in which she and photojournalist Donald Fountain were finishing a report near the county fairgrounds in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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{
"quantity": 1,
"equipment": "vehicle"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "South Carolina",
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},
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"tags": [
"shot / shot at"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jen Cardone (WJZY)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Reporter subpoenaed for trial testimony by California city",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-subpoenaed-for-trial-testimony-by-california-city/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-16T12:46:11.899993Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-16T12:46:11.899993Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-15T21:29:57.182485Z",
"date": "2025-04-08",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Fresno",
"longitude": -119.77237,
"latitude": 36.74773,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9uwh9\">Fresno Bee reporter Thaddeus Miller was subpoenaed by prosecutors for the city of Fresno, California, on April 8, 2025, in connection with a criminal case. The subpoena was dropped as moot following the case’s dismissal on April 10.</p><p data-block-key=\"6s30c\">The case involved Wickey Twohands, a 77-year-old homeless man who was arrested in October 2024 for alleged violations of the city’s controversial <a href=\"https://librarystage.municode.com/ca/fresno/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1310244\">anti-camping law</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"fgrld\">The ordinance — <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/12/28/nx-s1-5195453/fresno-camping-ban-california-homelessness\">among the toughest</a> in the state — went into effect in September 2024 and bans camping, sitting or lying on public property at any time. Twohands pleaded not guilty on Jan. 21, 2025, and his trial was postponed until April 10 so his attorney could file motions to dismiss the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"andu4\">Deputy City Attorney Daniel Cisneros subpoenaed Miller and a second reporter, Fresnoland’s <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-called-to-testify-by-california-city-as-part-of-criminal-trial/\">Pablo Orihuela</a>, ordering the journalists to appear to testify at the hearing, the Bee <a href=\"https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article304201836.html\">reported</a>. Both <a href=\"https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/crime/article301488669.html\">Miller</a> and <a href=\"https://fresnoland.org/2025/02/21/fresno-anti-camping-law/\">Orihuela</a> had previously interviewed Twohands and reported on the charges against him.</p><p data-block-key=\"1lhb8\">Miller told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he had been out of the office each time they attempted to serve him from April 4 to 7, but the afternoon of April 8 they succeeded. He said the subpoena did not include any indication of what prosecutors intended to ask him, just a copy of his March article.</p><p data-block-key=\"a0jjk\">“The most frustrating part for me is it’s a good story, an interesting story, and now I can’t cover it,” Miller said. “It’s frustrating to try to be doing your job, where your whole job is being impartial and staying out of it, and then they try to pull you into it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"te0e\">The subpoenas to both Miller and Orihuela were rendered moot and functionally dropped after County Judge Brian Alvarez dismissed the case against Twohands on the grounds that the city violated his right to a speedy trial.</p><p data-block-key=\"dvfmv\">Following the dismissal, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz told a Bee editor that he had not reviewed or authorized the subpoenas and that they had not been issued according to protocol, noting that “any communication with media or journalists has to be run through the City Attorney.”</p><p data-block-key=\"diqjk\">Janz told the Bee that the journalists were subpoenaed to confirm the validity of their reporting and what the defendant had told them during his interviews, and that in the future the city will first ask journalists to voluntarily testify about published information.</p><p data-block-key=\"a3oap\">Miller said that Janz’s stance was concerning. “I kind of expected the city attorney to say that they had made a mistake and that we shouldn’t worry about it in the future, but that doesn’t seem to be the stance he’s taken,” Miller told the Tracker. “It’s worrisome that the city attorney’s office sounds like they want to be doing this more in the future.”</p><p data-block-key=\"boegm\">David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, told the Bee that while the state’s shield law does not prohibit such subpoenas, the California Evidence Code establishes that news articles are self-authenticating.</p><p data-block-key=\"dgq5o\">“Whether they ask or send subpoenas, it’s immaterial,” Loy said. “It’s unnecessary, superfluous and compromises the independence and neutrality of the press. People aren’t going to be able to trust reporters if they see reporters on the stand testifying to the government.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP24109803021430.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"mfs4w\">A homeless encampment in Fresno, California, in 2009. The city subpoenaed Fresno Bee reporter Thaddeus Miller on April 8, 2025, to testify at the trial of a man charged with violating the city’s new, controversial anti-camping law.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Thaddeus Miller (The Fresno Bee)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "GOP senator implies violence would reduce ‘fake news’",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/gop-senator-implies-violence-would-reduce-fake-news/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-09T18:25:49.459540Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-09T18:25:49.459540Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-09T18:25:49.364643Z",
"date": "2025-04-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ecsk1\">Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, citing a shooting at the U.S. Capitol 135 years ago, suggested in an April 5 video that the media would write fewer “false stories” if disputes were resolved using violence.</p><p data-block-key=\"80pa7\">In the video, posted on the social platform X, Mullin stands on a stairway inside the Capitol building and recounts the story of reporter Charles Kincaid, who in 1890 shot and killed a former congressman, William Taulbee, amid a feud stemming from Kincaid’s reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"vgke\">Kincaid was later found not guilty on the grounds of self-defense, <a href=\"https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/The-death-of-Congressman-William-Taulbee-on-the-steps-of-the-U-S--Capitol/\">according to</a> the House of Representatives historical archives.</p><p data-block-key=\"ak6ef\">Mullin, gesturing in the video to the spot where he said the incident occurred, adds: “Now, there’s a lot we could say about reporters and the stories they write, but I bet they would write a lot less false stories — as President Trump says, ‘fake news’ — if we could still handle our differences that way.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">History from the House: A Reporter-Congressman murder mystery. <a href=\"https://t.co/rPn2TC4haP\">pic.twitter.com/rPn2TC4haP</a></p>— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SenMullin/status/1908369627580596253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ecsk1\">After The Oklahoman published a <a href=\"https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2025/04/06/markwayne-mullin-fake-news-remarks-us-senator-capitol/82963694007/?taid=67f2c129175fce0001c10fd3&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter\">story</a> about Mullin’s comments, the senator <a href=\"https://x.com/SenMullin/status/1908964392344990185\">claimed</a> in an April 6 post that he was joking and accused the outlet of being “out of touch with Oklahoma.”</p><p data-block-key=\"alapt\">“Don’t forget I also JOKED about bringing back caning to settle political disputes,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"dbrjk\">Mullin did not respond to a request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP25072578550423.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"wr0zg\">Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma speaks to reporters in the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2025. Mullin posted a video on the social platform X on April 5 suggesting the use of violence could reduce “fake news.”</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"border_point": null,
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"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
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"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Media"
],
"tags": [],
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"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
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},
{
"title": "Reporter called to testify by California city as part of criminal trial",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-called-to-testify-by-california-city-as-part-of-criminal-trial/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-09T17:41:59.284887Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-14T15:40:15.792520Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-14T15:40:15.608388Z",
"date": "2025-04-04",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Fresno",
"longitude": -119.77237,
"latitude": 36.74773,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"y4c1v\">Pablo Orihuela, a housing reporter for the nonprofit news outlet Fresnoland, was subpoenaed by prosecutors for the city of Fresno, California, on April 4, 2025, in connection with a pending criminal case.</p><p data-block-key=\"3dk5o\">The case involves Wickey Twohands, a 77-year-old homeless man who was arrested in October 2024 and may be the first to go to trial for alleged violations of the city’s controversial <a href=\"https://librarystage.municode.com/ca/fresno/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1310244\">anti-camping law</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"fjiie\">The ordinance — <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/12/28/nx-s1-5195453/fresno-camping-ban-california-homelessness\">among the toughest</a> in the state — went into effect in September 2024 and bans camping, sitting or lying on public property at any time. Twohands pleaded not guilty on Jan. 21, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"79aq7\">Orihuela <a href=\"https://fresnoland.org/2025/02/21/fresno-anti-camping-law/\">reported on</a> the charges against Twohands in February after his trial was postponed so his attorney could file motions to dismiss the case. The parties are due back in court April 10 for a ruling on the motions and, if the case proceeds, the start of the jury trial.</p><p data-block-key=\"97q8\">Deputy City Attorney Daniel Cisneros ordered Orihuela to appear to testify at the hearing with less than a week’s notice, according to a copy of the subpoena reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"a9cbl\">The request did not provide any indication of what the journalist would be questioned about, and included only a copy of Orihuela’s February article obtained April 3, according to the header.</p><p data-block-key=\"71a6r\">Orihuela declined to comment until after the hearing and Cisneros did not respond to a voicemail requesting comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"66gfc\">David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition, <a href=\"https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/04/07/fac-defends-fresnoland-reporter-against-subpoena/\">wrote a letter</a> on Orihuela’s behalf objecting to the subpoena the day it was issued.</p><p data-block-key=\"4qhq\">“Even if the subpoena were timely and properly served, California’s reporter shield law absolutely protects Mr. Orihuela against a subpoena from the City compelling him to testify about any unpublished information,” Loy wrote. “Accordingly, the City should immediately cease attempting to subpoena Mr. Orihuela.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5duej\">Loy told the Tracker that the subpoena was improperly served, as it was sent via email to Orihuela and Fresnoland Executive Director and Managing Editor Danielle Bergstrom, and that without proper service a witness has no legal obligation to comply.</p><p data-block-key=\"8nnsu\">“It’s obviously highly significant for any reporter or newspaper or publication to get a subpoena, even by email,” Loy said. “One would hope that government lawyers would be better educated on reporter shield law.</p><p data-block-key=\"86pdn\">“I’m going to assume best intentions, until proven otherwise: that this is some good-faith mistake and that hopefully — now that I’ve written to the city explaining the law — they have stopped trying to subpoena a reporter.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"w84w5\">A portion of the April 4, 2025, subpoena issued to Fresnoland reporter Pablo Orihuela by a prosecutor in Fresno, California, ordering the journalist to testify April 10 as part of the criminal case against a homeless man.</p>",
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"name": "California",
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"(2025-04-10 11:34:00+00:00) Subpoena for reporter’s testimony dropped after anti-camping case dismissed"
],
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"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
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"Pablo Orihuela (Fresnoland)"
],
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},
{
"title": "California city bans news distribution on most city property",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/california-city-bans-news-distribution-on-most-city-property/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-02T13:48:12.180765Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T13:48:12.180765Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T13:48:12.069221Z",
"date": "2025-04-01",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Fullerton",
"longitude": -117.92534,
"latitude": 33.87029,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"equ4u\">The Fullerton City Council in California voted on April 1, 2025, to approve a policy restricting the display of news publications in city facilities, other than a single news rack in the public library.</p><p data-block-key=\"9u88r\">The Los Angeles Times <a href=\"https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2025-04-03/fullerton-news-racks-policy\">reported</a> that the council’s decision came after a new local blog, Friends For Fullerton’s Future, emailed Jan. 13 to request a news rack be installed in the lobby of the Fullerton City Hall for a planned print edition.</p><p data-block-key=\"18s6c\">A news rack in City Hall has long distributed a community newspaper, the <a href=\"https://fullertonobserver.com/2025/04/02/fullerton-city-council-enacts-news-publication-restrictions/\">Fullerton Observer</a>, and a California State University, Fullerton, student newspaper, the <a href=\"https://dailytitan.com/opinion/editorial-fullerton-threatens-press-censorship/article_490b1c49-45e7-42d7-96ee-823f0f190c34.html\">Daily Titan</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"8i4o6\">After its review, the council approved, 4-1, a policy that restricted permitted materials to only those published by the city, government agencies, public utilities and select educational institutions.</p><p data-block-key=\"2qflg\">In its <a href=\"https://fullerton.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7284343&GUID=8FD58C5E-29A0-41D5-8548-4BE5A3D30AB9&Options=&Search=\">resolution</a>, the council said that the city has an interest in ensuring that public facilities “do not transform into public forums through unmanaged distribution of private or non-governmental materials.” With the vote, the council directed its staff to draft a policy regarding the display and distribution of materials in city-owned facilities.</p><p data-block-key=\"bhrb3\">During the April 1 meeting, city officials noted that a similar ban was in place in two other Orange County cities — Irvine and Newport Beach, LAist <a href=\"https://laist.com/brief/news/politics/newspapers-fullerton-government-publications-city-hall-community-centers\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"d13qe\">After the meeting, council member Ahmad Zahra, who voted against the ban, released a <a href=\"https://fullertonobserver.com/2025/04/02/fullerton-city-council-enacts-news-publication-restrictions/\">statement</a> saying, “I believe this is an encroachment on our First Amendment right of free speech and opens our city to liability.” He noted that one city in Orange County — reported by the Times as San Juan Capistrano — rescinded a similar policy after it was sued.</p><p data-block-key=\"123j5\">“Further, this ban will remove our local newspapers from public view,” he added, “making it harder for residents—especially seniors, individuals with limited mobility, and those without internet access—to stay informed on local issues.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2qgf2\">The Daily Titan executive board, in a <a href=\"https://dailytitan.com/news/statement-the-daily-titan-condemns-recent-fullerton-policy-to-ban-distribution-of-non-governmental-publications/article_f489bd4a-6d55-4d3a-9a98-dd52c5ecc66f.html\">statement</a>, called on the council to reconsider the ban, saying, “We strongly condemn this attack on press freedom and are tremendously proud of the fair and balanced journalism we provide to the Fullerton community. As student journalists, the Daily Titan for decades has provided an invaluable learning platform for aspiring journalists to prepare themselves to hold politicians and public officials accountable.”</p><p data-block-key=\"sdn8\">In a separate <a href=\"https://dailytitan.com/opinion/editorial-fullerton-threatens-press-censorship/article_490b1c49-45e7-42d7-96ee-823f0f190c34.html\">editorial</a>, the Titan’s board noted that the outlets impacted by the ban, including the Daily Titan, had reported critically on the city government. They added that the ban was an excessive step to take to address council members’ concerns that papers containing extreme material could be distributed at City Hall.</p><p data-block-key=\"a80t4\">“To sacrifice the freedom of press to be displayed where it may best reach the populace in favor of a hypothetical is to burn the house down to kill a rat,” they wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"4vllk\">The Fullerton Observer <a href=\"https://fullertonobserver.com/2025/04/22/local-newspapers-get-a-second-chance-to-lift-the-censorship-policy-at-may-6-council-meeting/\">reported</a> April 22 that in light of discontent with the ban voiced by members of the community and some council members, the council planned to reconsider it at a May 6 meeting.</p><p data-block-key=\"deocn\">The Fullerton City Council, the Fullerton Observer and Friends For Fullerton’s Future did not respond to emailed requests for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/newspapers.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"7u8vr\">The Fullerton, California, City Council during an April 1, 2025, meeting, at which it approved a policy banning news racks in most city facilities.</p>",
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},
{
"title": "Rep. Ronny Jackson targets press as member of Congress",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/rep-ronny-jackson-targets-press-as-member-of-congress/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:46:07.713633Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:23:12.304348Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:23:12.202014Z",
"date": "2025-03-27",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"chkg0\">From the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Ronny Jackson, a Republican member of Congress from Texas, has joined him in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered Trump and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Jackson’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"bap30\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"7vesi\"><i>This article was first published on April 3, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"e5pv3\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 27\">March 27, 2025 | Representative introduces bill to strip NPR, PBS of government funding</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"chkg0\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"o867\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"March 27\" name=\"March 27\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"chkg0\">March 27, 2025 | Representative introduces bill to strip NPR, PBS of government funding</h4><p data-block-key=\"4mp5c\">Rep. Ronny Jackson introduced a <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2443/all-actions?s=1&r=1\">bill</a> to the U.S. House of Representatives on March 27, 2025, to eliminate all direct and indirect government funding for NPR and PBS, the latest Congressional move attacking the public broadcasters.</p><p data-block-key=\"cbo4n\">Executives for NPR and PBS <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-targets-press-as-doge-subcommittee-chair/#March%2026\">testified</a> March 26 before a government oversight subcommittee hearing titled “Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the heads of NPR and PBS accountable.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9jv79\">In her closing remarks, Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that the body intended to call for the dissolution of the government-backed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides around 1% of the budget for NPR and 16% for PBS.</p><p data-block-key=\"3oo6d\">According to a previously unreported 2011 analysis <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/briefing/public-broadcasters-republicans-npr-pbs.html\">published</a> April 1 by The New York Times, the defunding of CPB would cause nearly 200 NPR member stations to close. The effect on PBS and member stations would be even more dire, the newspaper said.</p><p data-block-key=\"krvl\">The day after the hearing, Jackson — joined by Greene and others — introduced his <a href=\"https://jackson.house.gov/uploadedfiles/npract.pdf\">bill</a> to eliminate taxpayer funding for what he referred to as “the partisan broadcasting outlets” NPR and PBS.</p><p data-block-key=\"bnksm\">“For decades, radical Democrats have funneled taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS under the guise of ‘serving the public,’ despite both organizations abandoning their founding missions to provide non-biased content and instead promoting the same radical-left propaganda as any other fake news outlet,” Jackson said in a <a href=\"https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2301\">statement</a>. “If these organizations want to push partisan agendas, they do not deserve another dime of federal support.”</p><p data-block-key=\"199jv\">Jackson sponsored similar legislation in <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1632?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22partisan+broadcasting+outlets%22%7D&s=1&r=2\">2023</a> and <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8091?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22broadcasting%22%7D&s=7&r=1\">2024</a> that failed to make it out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.</p><p data-block-key=\"ucfa\"><a href=\"https://cpb.org/faq#1-2\">According to CPB</a>, the majority of the approximately $500 million it is appropriated each year is distributed to local public media stations. Funding for the nonprofit corporation was <a href=\"https://cpb.org/pressroom/CPB-Statement-Congress-Approval-Continued-Funding-Public-Media\">extended</a> March 14, with the House and Senate approving $535 million for 2027.</p><p data-block-key=\"8p3u6\">“Public media in the United States is a highly efficient public-private partnership that delivers a strong return on the taxpayers’ investment,” CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said in a statement at the time. “With the support of Congress and the American people, CPB will continue to prioritize educational content and resources for families, provide essential local reporting and public safety information, and pursue technology advancements that enhance public media’s connection with audiences across multiple platforms.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2024-07-17T231716Z_1388524073_HP1.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"o4i60\">Rep. Ronny Jackson speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17, 2024.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"targeted_institutions": [
"National Public Radio",
"PBS News"
],
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"Chilling Statement"
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},
{
"title": "Journalist pulled by shoulder while documenting protest at Tennessee Capitol",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-pulled-by-shoulder-while-documenting-protest-at-tennessee-capitol/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-04T18:16:55.755470Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-04T18:16:55.755470Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-04T18:16:55.659482Z",
"date": "2025-03-26",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Nashville",
"longitude": -86.78444,
"latitude": 36.16589,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"1csal\">Independent journalist Jordyn Gualdani was pulled roughly by sergeants-at-arms at the state capitol building in Nashville, Tennessee, while documenting a protest on March 26, 2025. Gualdani, a wheelchair user, said the incident was part of a pattern of discriminatory behavior from sergeants-at-arms at the Capitol.</p><p data-block-key=\"37bc8\">The protest took place at a House Education Committee meeting on <a href=\"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0793&ga=114\">a controversial bill</a> that would allow school boards in the state to refuse to enroll children living there without legal permission into K-12 public schools. Recent hearings on the bill, which committee members voted to advance, were met with multiple protests by community members, <a href=\"https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/mar/27/tennessee-bill-allowing-school-boards-to-deny/\">according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"cc16b\">Gualdani attended the March 26 hearing to report on the vote and a planned demonstration by community members in the hearing room.</p><p data-block-key=\"1o71v\">He told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that as the vote began, protesters stood and began singing and chanting, at which point almost all of the journalists in the room went to the front of the room to document them.</p><p data-block-key=\"dpv2v\">Then, Gualdani said, the sergeants-at-arms began to push journalists to get them away from the protesters and toward the back of the room, in an unusual display of force. “This is not how demonstrations are typically handled,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"8jlsl\">“I was behind a reporter from a local station lining up a shot of activists being confronted when I was pulled backwards by my shoulder and told I needed to ‘get back,’” Gualdani told the Tracker. “If I had been sitting all the way back in my chair I would have tipped due to how my chair is balanced. Thankfully, I was leaning forward, which put my weight to the front of the chair.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3iq16\">Gualdani added that his press pass was visible, but also that “most of the officials know I’m a journalist.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dbapl\">Because he uses a wheelchair, “They typically try to force me to move by telling me I am a ‘fire hazard’ even though I am in the areas I should be and I am not in the way,” he said. “Tripods take up more room and are harder to move than I am.”</p><p data-block-key=\"32htb\">Seth Herald, a photojournalist on assignment for Reuters that day, also witnessed the sergeants-at-arms pushing journalists around the room during the hearing. He told the Tracker he was photographing the protesters at the front of the room when a sergeant-at-arms told him to stop and move to the back.</p><p data-block-key=\"7t2e4\">The chief sergeant-at-arms then tried to force Herald into the middle of the room, where he couldn’t find the space to move. When he told the officer that he was being prevented from doing his job as a journalist, the officer responded: “Well, I’m doing my job” and pushed Herald. The photojournalist told the Tracker the shove was out of frustration and that he didn't consider it an assault.</p><p data-block-key=\"78fan\">Eventually, Gualdani and Herald said, the sergeants-at-arms stopped pushing the journalists. “They did back off once it was clear we all would continue to do our jobs,” Gualdani said.</p><p data-block-key=\"am7kv\">Gualdani and Herald told the Tracker that rules around journalists’ placement in hearing rooms at the Capitol have been erratic. “Members of the press are told, ‘Stay behind a specific point on the side walls’ one day and then told that we are limited to the back wall on other days,” Gualdani said.</p><p data-block-key=\"e0dju\">Herald said that restrictions on journalists’ movements at the Capitol have seemed to increase. “Where a year ago we used to float around the committee room, they restrict us now to the side of the walls and the very back of the room and don’t let us move anywhere,” he said. “It almost feels intentional, like they’re making it uncomfortable. It’s shoulder to shoulder. You can’t do anything.”</p><p data-block-key=\"68l4g\">Gualdani said he reported the more forceful response from law enforcement to the chief sergeant-at-arms. “He was dismissive, but agreed to talk with the sergeants under him,” Gualdani told the Tracker. “His excuse was that maybe they were trying to guide people and accidentally touched journalists.” But Gualdani and Herald both said the sergeants-at-arms seemed to be targeting the group of journalists to impede their access to the protesters.</p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"3kc6l\">Protesters at a Tennessee House hearing in Nashville on March 26, 2025. Independent journalist Jordyn Gualdani was pulled by the shoulder by a sergeant-at-arms while documenting the demonstration.</p>",
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"assailant": "law enforcement",
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"state": {
"name": "Tennessee",
"abbreviation": "TN"
},
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"tags": [
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jordyn Gualdani (Independent)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene targets press as DOGE subcommittee chair",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-targets-press-as-doge-subcommittee-chair/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T15:55:52.395275Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:21:58.218495Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:21:58.104649Z",
"date": "2025-03-26",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"80pcs\">From the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican member of Congress from Georgia, has joined Trump in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"48klo\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"aaurn\"><i>This article was first published on Jan. 20, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"5ie7j\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 26\">March 26, 2025 | U.S. representative leads heated subcommittee hearing attacking NPR, PBS</a> \r\n<p><a href=\"#Feb 3\">Feb. 3, 2025 | U.S. representative summons NPR, PBS to oversight hearing</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Jan 20\">Jan. 20, 2025 | U.S. representative threatens PBS funding</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"80pcs\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"cee66\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"Mach 26\" name=\"March 26\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"80pcs\">March 26, 2025 | U.S. representative leads heated subcommittee hearing attacking NPR, PBS</h4><p data-block-key=\"dm69l\">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene led a hearing titled “Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the heads of NPR and PBS accountable” on March 26, 2025, at which she questioned the chief executives of the two news outlets.</p><p data-block-key=\"ci71p\">“At the DOGE Subcommittee, we are continuing our war on waste. That means rooting out spending that is unnecessary, wasteful and — frankly — un-American,” Greene said during her <a href=\"https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/anti-american-airwaves-holding-the-heads-of-npr-and-pbs-accountable/\">opening remarks</a>. “NPR and PBS have increasingly become radical, left-wing echo chambers for a narrow audience of mostly wealthy, white, urban liberals and progressives who generally look down on and judge rural America.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9roao\">Greene went on to accuse NPR of having a “communist agenda” and PBS of being “one of the founders of the trans child abuse industry.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b4atu\">NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger defended their organizations’ programming and the importance of public media during the more than two-hour-long hearing, rejecting the accusation that they pander to liberal audiences.</p><p data-block-key=\"8q66b\">Rep. Stephen Lynch voiced his support for public media and castigated the hearing, saying, “For over two decades of service on this oversight committee, I’ve worked with members on both sides of the aisle to investigate issues of critical importance to the safety and security of the American people.</p><p data-block-key=\"7n705\">“So I’m sad to see that this once-proud committee — the principal investigative committee in the House of Representatives — has now stooped to the lowest levels of partisanship and political theater.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3b5k3\">In her closing statements, Greene announced that the subcommittee intends to call for the dissolution of the government-backed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides around 1% of NPR’s budget and 16% of that of PBS.</p><p data-block-key=\"6vqum\">“I think from what we have heard here today, the American people will not continue to allow such propaganda to be funded through the federal government with their hard-earned tax dollars,” Greene said. “We believe that you all can hate us on your own dime.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6di2h\">Rep. Ronny Jackson plans to introduce a bill on March 27 to pull all government funding from NPR and PBS, Fox News <a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/politics/exclusive-gop-moves-defund-chronically-biased-npr-pbs-after-disastrous-hearing\">reported</a>. Jackson introduced a <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1632/text\">similar bill</a> in 2023, but it didn’t make it out of committee.</p><p data-block-key=\"1mtmf\"><a href=\"https://cpb.org/faq#1-2\">According to CPB</a>, the majority of the approximately $500 million it is appropriated each year is distributed to local broadcast and radio stations. Funding for the nonprofit corporation was <a href=\"https://cpb.org/pressroom/CPB-Statement-Congress-Approval-Continued-Funding-Public-Media\">extended</a> on March 14, with the House and Senate approving $535 million for 2027.</p><p data-block-key=\"712i3\">“Public media in the United States is a highly efficient public-private partnership that delivers a strong return on the taxpayers’ investment,” CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said in a statement at the time. “With the support of Congress and the American people, CPB will continue to prioritize educational content and resources for families, provide essential local reporting and public safety information, and pursue technology advancements that enhance public media’s connection with audiences across multiple platforms.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Feb 3\" name=\"Feb 3\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"80pcs\">Feb. 3, 2025 | U.S. representative summons NPR, PBS to oversight hearing</h4><p data-block-key=\"5t813\">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sent letters to the CEOs of public broadcasters <a href=\"https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Letter-to-Maher-NPR-020325.pdf\">NPR</a> and <a href=\"https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Letter-to-Paula-Kerger_PBS.-020325.pdf\">PBS</a> on Feb. 3, 2025, summoning them to testify in March before the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.</p><p data-block-key=\"8esen\">The letters both said that the subcommittee is concerned about the outlets’ “blatantly ideological and partisan coverage” and seeks to better understand their “position on providing Americans with accurate information.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eoji\">Greene specifically cited <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VfYjPzj1Xw\">PBS reporting on Elon Musk</a> making “what appeared to be a fascist salute” during the official post-inauguration celebration on Jan. 20, as well as NPR’s decision not to report on Hunter Biden’s laptop in 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"11fel\">The news outlets’ reporting, Greene wrote, “should serve the entire public, not just a narrow slice of like-minded individuals and ideological interest groups.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f81o2\">NPR said in a <a href=\"https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2025-02-03/npr-statement-on-letter-from-subcommittee-on-doge\">statement</a> that it strives to hold itself to the highest standards of journalism, citing its publicly available standards and ethics guidelines, and the presence of a public editor.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ev6j\">“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the critical role of public media in delivering impartial, fact-based news and reporting to the American public,” the statement said.</p><p data-block-key=\"21ml6\">PBS did not respond to a request for comment.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Jan 20\" name=\"Jan 20\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"80pcs\">Jan. 20, 2025 | U.S. representative threatens PBS funding</h4><p data-block-key=\"4e32m\">Just hours after Donald Trump’s swearing-in on Jan. 20, 2025, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene <a href=\"https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1881479200672215171\">took to social media</a> to attack PBS News for <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VfYjPzj1Xw\">reporting</a> that Trump appointee Elon Musk gave “what appeared to be a fascist salute” while speaking at the official <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/us/capital-one-arena-takes-centre-stage-trumps-inauguration-2025-01-20/\">post-inauguration celebration</a> in Washington, D.C.</p><p data-block-key=\"29kvb\">“As the Chairwoman of the Oversight Subcommittee on DOGE (Department of Government Oversight), I look forward to PBS @NewsHour coming before my committee and explaining why lying and spreading propaganda to serve the Democrat party and attack Republicans is a good use of taxpayer funds,” Greene posted. “We will be in touch soon.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7ukeq\">Congress provides indirect grant support to PBS, as well as NPR, through funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, <a href=\"https://cpb.org/aboutcpb/financials/budget\">appropriating $535 million</a> for 2025. Trump’s first administration <a href=\"https://deadline.com/2020/02/donald-trump-public-media-pbs-npr-1202856498/\">proposed</a> eliminating all federal funding for PBS, and Trump made <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/28/trump-npr-pbs-funding-cut\">similar calls</a> on social media in the lead-up to the 2024 election.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2021-06-14T223312Z_860724845_RC2M.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"j0f37\">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene holds a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in June 2021.</p>",
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"National Public Radio",
"PBS News"
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{
"title": "Palestinian American journalist questioned, phone searched at NJ airport",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/palestinian-american-journalist-questioned-phone-searched-at-nj-airport/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-08T16:07:32.150889Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-08T16:35:30.404754Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-08T16:35:30.309788Z",
"date": "2025-03-24",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Newark",
"longitude": -74.17237,
"latitude": 40.73566,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hnl7e\">Freelance journalist Hebh Jamal was flagged for additional security screening, questioned about her work and had her cellphone searched upon arriving at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport on March 24, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"8q88l\">Jamal, a Palestinian American reporter and documentarian who holds a U.S. passport, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she also advocates for Palestinian rights in Germany, where she lives with her family. She said that while this was far from her first experience with additional screening, it was the first time it was at the hands of U.S. authorities.</p><p data-block-key=\"61aam\">“My husband and myself, we’re both advocates. We were put on a list by the border police here in Germany, so that whenever we travel at the airport, we get secondary screening automatically,” Jamal said. “But it was never Interpol, it was never communication with the Americans. So I would travel from Germany and then, in the U.S., I wouldn’t have any issues.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2rlli\">She said she was flying from Frankfurt with her husband and two children to visit family in the United States, and wasn’t surprised when they were directed to additional screening. It was unusual, however, that the German border authorities questioned whether they planned to engage in any pro-Palestinian speech.</p><p data-block-key=\"3obts\">After they arrived at their gate, they were also approached by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents who checked her husband’s visa, took photos of each page of his German passport, and asked him about where he had lived in Gaza and about his family there.</p><p data-block-key=\"3v9mq\">Upon their arrival in Newark, Jamal said both she and her husband were flagged for secondary screening and were taken to separate rooms by border officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"a13ka\">“At first they were very nice. They were like, ‘Yeah, you know, this is just routine,” she told the Tracker. “They asked me all sorts of questions about where I traveled, asking me a whole bunch of Middle Eastern countries that I’ve been to and if I’d been there.</p><p data-block-key=\"s008\">“And then they saw the Rafah border stamp.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4he37\">Jamal said she had traveled to the southern Gaza city bordering Egypt in 2022 to visit family. The officers asked her about who she met and why, whether anyone she encountered was affiliated with Hamas, if she had felt unsafe and if anyone from her family was part of the government in Gaza.</p><p data-block-key=\"9hbin\">Afterward, Jamal said they began questioning her about her journalism and the last article she had written, which she noted was about detained pro-Palestinian activist <a href=\"https://mondoweiss.net/2025/03/mahmoud-khalil-is-a-palestinian-political-prisoner-and-he-is-not-the-first-in-the-u-s/\">Mahmoud Khalil</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"21n70\">“I know that they already knew I was a journalist because they told my husband, ‘We know your wife is a journalist and we know that you guys are, like, active,’” she said.</p><p data-block-key=\"4cns5\">Officers also asked for her phone number, email and social media handles before letting her go, Jamal said. They quickly called her back, however, and demanded that she hand over her cellphone and write down her password.</p><p data-block-key=\"2hn89\">“They said, ‘We need your phone.’ And I said, ‘What happens if I don’t give it to you?’ And they said, ‘No, you have to or we’ll take it by force,’” she told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"7orm8\">Jamal said she ultimately complied, noting that she had been aware that U.S. agents might ask for her devices so she had not traveled with a laptop and had factory reset her phone.</p><p data-block-key=\"7imhg\">The questioning lasted approximately 20 minutes, Jamal said, but the secondary screening as a whole took around an hour and a half.</p><p data-block-key=\"1r60v\">Her husband was also questioned and his cellphone searched, but she said officers subtly threatened him, warning him not to engage in any sort of political activity.</p><p data-block-key=\"7aud7\">Jamal said she waited until she left the United States to make the incident public, and has been in touch with Amnesty International to determine whether any spyware was installed on her phone. However, she told the Tracker she’s unsure whether she’ll take any further steps.</p><p data-block-key=\"eqhfo\">“I feel that if I really push about it — outside of just talking on social media — it’s just going to get sort of worse for me,” Jamal said.</p><p data-block-key=\"3ehut\">In an <a href=\"https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/5/5/fear-and-intimidation-at-newark-airport\">op-ed for Al Jazeera</a> about the experience, Jamal wrote that the screening was targeted and intended to intimidate them.</p><p data-block-key=\"fdff5\">“Whether it is in Germany, in the US, or elsewhere, the goal of these tactics is the same: to make us feel small, isolated, criminalised, and afraid,” she wrote. “They want us to doubt the worth of every word we write, to question every protest we join, to swallow every truth before it reaches our lips.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-05-07T152556Z_145687177_RC23.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"eaig9\">Palestinian American journalist Hebh Jamal was questioned about her reporting and travel, and had her cellphone searched when arriving on March 24, 2025, at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, shown above in May.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": "returned in full",
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
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"border_point": "Newark Liberty International Airport",
"target_us_citizenship_status": "U.S. citizen",
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": "yes",
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{
"quantity": 1,
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}
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"state": {
"name": "New Jersey",
"abbreviation": "NJ"
},
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"target_nationality": [
"United States"
],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Border Stop",
"Equipment Search or Seizure"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Hebh Jamal (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Pete Hegseth targets news outlets, leakers as defense secretary",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers-as-defense-secretary/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:34:25.156292Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:22:23.384547Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:22:23.291670Z",
"date": "2025-03-21",
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"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"yzj9y\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Hegseth’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"1ommm\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"9v0ko\"><i>This article was first published on March 21, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"9vs77\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 21\">March 21, 2025 | Defense Department announces investigation into media leaks</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"yzj9y\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"d7qmh\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"March 21\" name=\"March 21\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"yzj9y\">March 21, 2025 | Defense Department announces investigation into media leaks</h4><p data-block-key=\"bnd2m\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office sent a <a href=\"https://media.defense.gov/2025/Mar/21/2003674265/-1/-1/0/EFFORTS-TO-COMBAT-UNAUTHORIZED-DISCLOSURES-OSD002809-25-RES-FINAL.PDF\">memo</a> on March 21, 2025, initiating an investigation into “recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6s70m\">“This investigation will commence immediately and culminate in a report to the Secretary of Defense,” wrote Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s chief of staff. “I expect to be informed immediately if this effort results in information identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure, and that such information will be referred to the appropriate criminal law enforcement entity for criminal prosecution.”</p><p data-block-key=\"76lla\">The memo also noted that department employees will be subject to polygraph exams “in accordance with applicable law and policy.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ebe2s\">The memo came hours after Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, <a href=\"https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1902977556329931052\">posted on social media</a> calling The New York Times’ reporting on the planned content of his briefing at the Pentagon “pure propaganda.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cjh0\">“I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT,” Musk wrote. “They will be found.”</p><p data-block-key=\"e5n7v\">Musk’s meeting with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ultimately did not take place, Reuters <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elon-musk-calls-prosecutions-pentagon-staff-who-leaked-new-york-times-2025-03-21/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ceird\">A Times spokesperson told Reuters that leak investigations are “meant to chill communications between journalists and their sources and undermine the ability of a free press to bring out vital information that may otherwise be hidden.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-03-21T163635Z_985503578_RC2S.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"of4rh\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) delivers remarks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2025.</p>",
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"arrest_status": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"targeted_institutions": [
"Media",
"The New York Times"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Minnesota reporter blocked from entering public school board meeting",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/minnesota-reporter-blocked-from-entering-public-school-board-meeting/",
"first_published_at": "2025-03-19T13:25:40.559806Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-19T13:25:40.559806Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-19T13:25:40.457841Z",
"date": "2025-03-11",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Minneapolis",
"longitude": -93.26384,
"latitude": 44.97997,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"0fqr9\">Clint Combs, a freelance reporter for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, was restricted from entering a Minneapolis Board of Education assembly room to cover a board meeting on March 11, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"diktk\">Combs told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he first arrived an hour and a half before the start of the meeting at the Davis Center in Minneapolis, where the school district’s administration is headquartered. He said there was no media sign-up sheet available when he first arrived, and he then went to cover demonstrations against school district budget cuts that were taking place outside the building.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvo1u\">When Combs returned around an hour later, he said he initially went to an overflow room to cover the meeting, because the main room was “packed” and he assumed there wasn’t space for him. A source texted him, however, and said media were being allowed into the main assembly room.</p><p data-block-key=\"5hc60\">But when Combs went to the front desk, a man he assumed was security told him there was only one press spot left and asked for his press pass, which Combs had lost the previous week.</p><p data-block-key=\"c0t5b\">“I offered to provide my driver’s license and relevant byline and also said I would call my editors for verification,” Combs said. While they were speaking, two broadcast reporters walked past and were granted access while he was still being denied entry.</p><p data-block-key=\"99pot\">“This was concerning because it seemed that my lack of a press credential badge was the only reason I was denied access, despite the fact that there were available slots for other press,” the journalist said.</p><p data-block-key=\"77s7k\">“The situation is particularly frustrating because it makes it harder for journalists like me to engage with the speakers, many of whom were addressing important workplace issues at the board meeting,” Combs added.</p><p data-block-key=\"ck4rh\">Several weeks before the denial of access, Combs had clashed with Alicia Miller, the head of human resources for Minneapolis Public Schools, after publishing a <a href=\"https://spokesman-recorder.com/2025/02/20/alleged-retaliation-minneapolis-public-schools/\">Feb. 20 article</a> about former school employees who alleged they and others faced race-based retaliation by Miller.</p><p data-block-key=\"4sa8\">Miller asked the Spokesman-Recorder to retract and remove the article, and to bar Combs from writing about her in the future, questioning his journalistic integrity, the reporter said.</p><p data-block-key=\"a79ev\">Miller, in response to an emailed request for comment, affirmed that she had asked for a retraction and an apology for what she said were errors in Combs’ reporting. But she told the Tracker that she had previously been unaware that Combs attempted to attend the March 11 meeting.</p><p data-block-key=\"3b0lf\">Regarding the meeting, Donnie Belcher, the executive director of communications and engagement for Minneapolis Public Schools, told the Tracker in an email: “The room was filled to capacity so no one was allowed access after a certain point, but had we known that Mr. Combs (or any journalist) needed access, a staff person could have come out to escort him in.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4osas\">Belcher added that press are required to sign in at meetings, and that “we have a special seating area for press within the assembly room where our board meetings take place.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7fp8v\">Combs noted that “restricting access to the main room has a chilling effect that prevents journalists from asking public speakers follow-up questions.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bdgb0\">He added, “It would have been helpful if MPS had a designated RSVP press email or process to address these concerns ahead of time.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Combs_denial.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"d1tz6\">Demonstrators protest budget cuts outside a meeting of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, Board of Education on March 11, 2025. Clint Combs, a reporter for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, was denied access to the meeting’s press area.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "Minnesota",
"abbreviation": "MN"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Local government: Public school district"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Clint Combs (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": [
"Government event"
]
},
{
"title": "Kristi Noem targets press, leakers as homeland security secretary",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kristi-noem-targets-press-leakers-as-homeland-security-secretary/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:42:15.375266Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:24:15.749119Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:24:15.667578Z",
"date": "2025-03-09",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7xkxf\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"46hnn\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"9spoe\"><i>This article was first published on March 14, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"3aacq\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 9\">March 9, 2025 | DHS secretary pledges to use lie detectors to identify leakers</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 7\">March 7, 2025 | DHS secretary threatens to sue South Dakota newspaper over coverage</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7xkxf\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"87b1q\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"March 9\" name=\"March 9\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"7xkxf\">March 9, 2025 | DHS secretary pledges to use lie detectors to identify leakers</h4><p data-block-key=\"819t1\">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed during an <a href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kristi-noem-homeland-security-secretary-face-the-nation-transcript-03-09-2025/\">appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation”</a> on March 9, 2025, that the department would subject employees to polygraph exams as part of its investigation into the source of leaks to the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"155vd\">Noem <a href=\"https://x.com/KristiNoem/status/1898099666245333409\">announced on March 7</a> that two individuals who allegedly leaked details about immigration enforcement operations have been identified and will face felony prosecution. She told CBS two days later that the leak investigations are ongoing and that she plans on using the full power of her office to ensure “that we’re following the law, that we are following the procedures in place to keep people safe.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4fdfm\">“Anyone who is leaking information outside of how something is planned for the safety of those law enforcement officers needs to be held accountable for that,” Noem added.</p><p data-block-key=\"frng9\">The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/ice-deportation-immigration-dhs-kristi-noem-leak-cf09189abaa6147a0c990225c2d27bad\">reported</a> that while polygraphs are not typically admissible in court, they are often used by federal law enforcement, including for national security clearances.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ti0m\">“The Department of Homeland Security is a national security agency,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to the news agency. “We can, should, and will polygraph personnel.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 7\" name=\"March 7\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"7xkxf\">March 7, 2025 | DHS secretary threatens to sue South Dakota newspaper over coverage</h4><p data-block-key=\"2mvq\">A personal attorney for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threatened on March 7, 2025, to sue The Dakota Scout, an independent newspaper based in Sioux City, South Dakota, after the outlet <a href=\"https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/sec-kristi-noems-use-of-taxpayer\">reported</a> on Noem’s use of two taxpayer-backed credit cards.</p><p data-block-key=\"alrhi\">The Scout and KSFL-TV reviewed thousands of pages of credit card receipts totaling approximately $650,000 from Noem’s tenure as the state’s governor. The bulk of the expenses were on airfare, rental cars and hotel accommodations for Noem’s security detail, in connection with her appearances at campaign rallies and as a speaker at conservative events, according to the Scout.</p><p data-block-key=\"qsrs\">In a cease and desist letter emailed to the Scout in the early hours of March 7, Noem’s personal lawyer Trevor Stanley alleged that the outlet had published “false, misleading, and inaccurate statements” concerning the spending, KSFL-TV <a href=\"https://www.siouxfallslive.com/news/sioux-falls/kristi-noem-threatens-to-sue-the-dakota-scout-over-credit-card-records\">reported</a>. Stanley specifically asserted that Noem had only personally charged $2,000, and demanded that the outlet stop reporting differently.</p><p data-block-key=\"4ig77\">“Otherwise, we will consider all legal remedies, including a lawsuit seeking maximum compensatory and punitive damages, that we estimate at millions of dollars,” Stanley wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"57k52\">According to a <a href=\"https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/prisons-pipelines-and-pragmatism\">podcast</a> with Scout co-founders and reporters Joe Sneve and Jonathan Ellis, they only obtained the receipts after filing a lawsuit to obtain the public records. They were also threatened with a restraining order to claw back the files after they were released.</p><p data-block-key=\"4qful\">Sneve said that Noem’s cease and desist letter is a blatant attempt to chill their reporting, and that he wouldn’t stand idle when individuals attempt to “saber rattle” in order to “intimidate good, honest reporters who are just trying to provide a service that shouldn’t even be hard to provide.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7d8ec\">The newsroom, he added, remains undaunted. “I would highly doubt they even file a lawsuit,” Sneve said. “And if they did, I’m not losing any sleep over that.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-01-28T213415Z_1536812639_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"7ydzv\">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks to employees at department headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"Media",
"The Dakota Scout"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "White House wrests control of presidential press pool from correspondents",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/white-house-wrests-control-of-presidential-press-pool-from-correspondents/",
"first_published_at": "2025-02-25T21:32:07.254909Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-28T03:33:45.604433Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-28T03:33:45.417553Z",
"date": "2025-02-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mltlx\">In a break with more than a century of practice, the White House Correspondents’ Association will no longer control the press pool covering the president, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced during a news briefing on Feb. 25, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"e9gs7\">The pool — a 13-member group of reporters and photojournalists who travel with and cover the president’s daily activities — has <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/business/media/trump-white-house-press.html\">traditionally</a> been overseen by the WHCA to ensure that access isn’t limited to those covering the sitting administration favorably.</p><p data-block-key=\"6mgn6\">Leavitt’s announcement came amid a legal fight between The Associated Press and the White House over <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ap-reporters-barred-from-white-house-events-over-editorial-style-policy/\">the news agency’s exclusion</a> since Feb. 11 from events on Air Force One, in the Oval Office and other pool-only areas in retaliation for its editorial policy on referring to the Gulf of Mexico.</p><p data-block-key=\"fl8jd\">Reporters and photojournalists for the AP have historically been included in the White House pool rotation, and the WHCA filed a <a href=\"https://whca.press/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/WHCA-Amicus-Brief-AP-Case.pdf\">brief</a> in support of the AP’s case Feb. 23.</p><p data-block-key=\"90g0q\">Leavitt <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-_9pOiAl0\">announced during the Feb. 25 briefing</a> that her team will take over assigning the pool, stating that “For decades a group of DC-based journalists — the White House Correspondents Association — has dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States in these most intimate spaces. Not anymore.</p><p data-block-key=\"fi6cq\">“We want more outlets and new outlets to have a chance to take part in the ‘press pool’ to cover this administration’s unprecedented achievements up close, front and center,” Leavitt continued, noting that asking the president questions is a privilege and “awesome responsibility.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A group of DC-based journalists, the White House Correspondents' Association, has long dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States.<br><br>Not anymore.<br><br>Today, I was proud to announce that we are giving the power back to the people.<br><br>Moving… <a href=\"https://t.co/PkNui6Qleu\">pic.twitter.com/PkNui6Qleu</a></p>— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1894470524857614825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mltlx\">She emphasized that the rotations of broadcast, print and radio journalists would continue, but would include streaming services, local radio hosts and print outlets that are “committed” to covering the White House.</p><p data-block-key=\"3nlo7\">The WHCA warned against the press freedom implications of the move and pushed back against Leavitt’s justification for the change in a <a href=\"https://x.com/stevethomma/status/1894472674765635622\">statement</a> on the social platform X.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ob3\">“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president,” WHCA President Eugene Daniels said. “In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ft0lm\">The organization also noted that it has worked to keep pace with the evolving media environment while ensuring “consistent professional standards and fairness in access.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5ccr8\">The decision was criticized by <a href=\"https://x.com/tamarakeithNPR/status/1894480196310634722\">multiple</a> <a href=\"https://x.com/JacquiHeinrich/status/1894476539825459580\">White</a> <a href=\"https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/1894473214480253082\">House</a> <a href=\"https://x.com/KellyO\">correspondents</a>. Peter Baker, chief White House reporter for The New York Times, <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/peterbakernyt.bsky.social/post/3lizk4tmcjk2d\">wrote</a>, “Having served as a Moscow correspondent in the early days of Putin’s reign, this reminds me of how the Kremlin took over its own press pool and made sure that only compliant journalists were given access.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5qg1a\">Late that evening, reporters from HuffPost and Reuters were removed from the Feb. 26 press pool list, HuffPost <a href=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-house-kicks-out-huffpost-reporter-from-press-pool_n_67be9224e4b0d509934aa224?ncid=APPLENEWS00001\">reported</a>. A reporter from Axios replaced the HuffPost reporter as the print pool representative, and the spots typically reserved for Reuters and the AP were allotted to Newsmax and Blaze Media, two conservative news outlets.</p><p data-block-key=\"1j6o9\">Reuters, the AP and Bloomberg News issued a <a href=\"https://x.com/ReutersPR/status/1894780094654124294\">joint statemen</a>t against the move as the “three permanent wires in the White House pool.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6aetd\">“Much of the White House coverage people see in their local news outlets, wherever they are in the world, comes from the wires,” the outlets’ editors said. “It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press. We believe that any steps by the government to limit the number of wire services with access to the President threatens that principle.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b3rrg\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include details about the White House changing the roster for the pool of journalists set to follow the president on Feb. 26, 2025, as well as a statement from the three wire services historically in the pool.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-02-25T191520Z_2057213126_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"3qhm4\">White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25, 2025. Leavitt announced that the administration — not the White House Correspondents’ Association — will organize press pool rotations.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-04-15 00:00:00+00:00) White House cuts permanent wire position from press pool",
"(2025-04-08 16:01:00+00:00) White House censors two reports from pool reporters"
],
"case_statuses": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [
"White House Correspondents' Association"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Federal government: White House"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": [
"Change in policy or practice"
]
},
{
"title": "Chicago reporter ‘booted’ from community meeting by city councilman’s staff",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/chicago-reporter-booted-from-community-meeting-by-city-councilmans-staff/",
"first_published_at": "2025-03-04T21:39:52.950650Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-04T21:39:52.950650Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-04T21:14:56.027702Z",
"date": "2025-02-20",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chicago",
"longitude": -87.65005,
"latitude": 41.85003,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ieju3\">Reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez said she was told by a local official’s chief of staff to leave a community meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on Feb. 20, 2025, although two other reporters remained. The staffer disputed the account.</p><p data-block-key=\"fdqn\">The community meeting was held at a public school in the Pilsen neighborhood to discuss the controversial reopening of a local bar that had been temporarily closed by police after a fatal shooting outside, Garcia <a href=\"https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/21/city-allows-pilsen-bar-to-reopen-after-deadly-shootout-outside-frustrating-neighbors/\">reported</a> for Block Club Chicago.</p><p data-block-key=\"ajov8\">Pilsen residents had <a href=\"https://www.change.org/p/shut-down-caminos-de-michoacan-bar-for-community-safety\">called</a> for the bar to be permanently closed after the shooting, citing “increasing violence” associated with the business.</p><p data-block-key=\"8pl8v\">Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, who represents the ward that includes Pilsen, had advertised the meeting as public, and a flyer about it had been widely distributed by residents on social media, Garcia noted in a subsequent <a href=\"https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/25/aldermans-office-kicks-reporter-out-of-meeting-on-controversial-bar-reopening/\">report</a> about the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"68cso\">“Neighbors shared the public meeting notice and invited me to come to the Thursday meeting,” Garcia reported, “saying they wanted to ensure their concerns about the bar would be heard and other neighbors who couldn’t attend would be able to learn what happened.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b936o\">Garcia wrote that she was greeted by Sigcho Lopez after she arrived. But 20 minutes into the meeting, once the attendees had begun to express concerns about the bar reopening, Garcia was told to leave by Sigcho Lopez’s chief of staff, Lucia Calderon (referred to as Lucia Moya in Garcia’s report).</p><p data-block-key=\"fgfjn\">Calderon said that the ward office hadn’t secured permission from Chicago Public Schools for reporters to attend and that the meeting was only for neighbors within a four-block radius of the bar.</p><p data-block-key=\"i4be\">“I asserted my First Amendment rights to report, but left because of the police presence in the room, and because I didn’t want to interrupt neighbors’ testimonies,” Garcia wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"coakj\">Garcia added that reporters from Telemundo and Univision remained in the room, though their camera operators were asked to stay outside.</p><p data-block-key=\"o1cg\">Calderon told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she had previously informed those reporters the event was closed to media and asserted she hadn’t known they were there. “If there were other members of the media in the room, they did not identify themselves and they did not violate the rules on photography and videography,” she added.</p><p data-block-key=\"ch0gv\">After the incident, Sigcho Lopez, who later referred to coverage as “irresponsible,” also said that the meeting was private, with no media allowed per Chicago Public Schools policy, reported Garcia. He did not specify which policy he was referring to.</p><p data-block-key=\"62u0b\">Garcia told the Tracker that she has previously attended and reported on several community meetings at public schools in the ward. Garcia also wrote that Calderon subsequently acknowledged “the language around the notification” — which called the meeting “public” — gave the impression the meeting was open to everyone.</p><p data-block-key=\"cs7mc\">Calderon, who later posted a lengthy Instagram <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DGg8Rkyv6EW/?igsh=azVueHhnbGIxNmJr\">response</a> to Garcia’s article about the incident, told the Tracker that “we did not clear media attendance at this event on public school property,” and that Garcia had “alarmed” attendees by taking photos with flash at the meeting, when Calderon said none was allowed.</p><p data-block-key=\"61s4k\">Calderon said she approached Garcia to say the meeting was closed and added, “Following a brief conversation, Francia offered to leave and Calderon accepted that. At no time was Francia asked to leave or ‘removed from the event’ by any person, official, or worker.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cj2o8\">Garcia said that she had not encountered previous access issues with Sigcho Lopez’s office. She said that her outlet had covered previous violent incidents around the bar and neighbors’ response to them, but could not confirm if her expulsion was linked to that coverage.</p><p data-block-key=\"aul06\">“As a neighborhood beat reporter, participating in a meeting about a public issue is critical to understanding neighbors’ perspectives,” Garcia said. “This was the first time the bar owner held a dialogue with neighbors and addressed them, but excluding me from the conversation barred me from observing this conversation and its outcomes.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"7307n\">Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of Chicago, Illinois, in 2021. Reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez said she was told by Sigcho Lopez’s chief of staff to leave a community meeting on Feb. 21, 2025.</p>",
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"name": "Illinois",
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},
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"Local government: Legislature"
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"Denial of Access"
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"Francia Garcia Hernandez (Block Club Chicago)"
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{
"title": "Mississippi newspaper ordered to remove editorial critical of city officials",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/mississippi-newspaper-ordered-to-remove-op-ed-critical-of-city-officials/",
"first_published_at": "2025-02-19T19:10:22.457708Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-03T21:10:28.028362Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-03T21:10:27.915745Z",
"date": "2025-02-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Jackson",
"longitude": -90.18481,
"latitude": 32.29876,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7035h\">The Clarksdale Press Register was ordered to remove an editorial from its website and other online portals on Feb. 18, 2025, after the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi, alleged the article was defamatory.</p><p data-block-key=\"32vko\">The editorial, headlined “Secrecy, deception erode public trust” — <a href=\"https://www.pressregister.com/editorial-secrecy-deception-erode-public-trust\">pulled from the site</a> but <a href=\"https://archive.ph/PqZdk\">archived here</a> — was published on Feb. 8, and detailed how the mayor’s office had failed to properly notify the public of a special meeting held four days prior.</p><p data-block-key=\"4m612\">“Mayor Chuck Espy has always touted how ‘open’ and ‘transparent’ he is and he is ‘not like previous administrations of the past 30 years,’” the editorial said. While notice of the meeting was posted on the door of City Hall, it continued, “This newspaper was never notified. We know of no other media organization that was notified.”</p><p data-block-key=\"371rv\">In an <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social/post/3lik2e6qatk2n\">affidavit</a>, the city clerk admitted that she had not emailed the media a notice announcing the meeting, as <a href=\"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-25/chapter-41/section-25-41-13/\">required by state law</a>. Floyd Ingram, publisher and editor of the Press Register, approached her after the meeting to ask about its subject, and she said that she gave him a copy of the notice, an agenda, a resolution passed during the meeting and other materials.</p><p data-block-key=\"4o7k6\">Chancery Court Judge Crystal Wise Martin granted the city’s motion for a temporary restraining order without allowing the newspaper to argue against it, ruling that the Press Register must unpublish the article.</p><p data-block-key=\"bpe9j\">“The injury in this case is defamation against public figures through actual malice in reckless disregard of the truth,” Wise Martin <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=614309898244735&set=pcb.614311151577943\">wrote in her order</a>, “and interferes with their legitimate function to advocate for legislation they believe would help their municipality during this current legislative cycle.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6qui0\">The city praised the ruling in a <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/cityofclarksdale/posts/pfbid02FG8CQQJ13vKgQFE1iHk8afcKxtA5MpkzX9JrBAEwGWqjoFP8Mta2pKnN6WmsKPqSl\">post</a> to its official Facebook page.</p><p data-block-key=\"f12v0\">“The judge ruled in our favor that a newspaper cannot tell a malicious lie and not be held liable,” Mayor Espy said. “The only thing that I ask, that no matter what you print, just let it be the truth; be it good or bad.”</p><p data-block-key=\"evcju\">City Attorney Melvin Miller II added: “The City touts this as a victory for truth. Not even newspapers can imply lies against City officials conducting city business and get away with it.”</p><p data-block-key=\"96g0t\">First Amendment advocates, however, criticized the decision. Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that an order compelling a newspaper to take down an editorial critical of the government was blatantly unconstitutional.</p><p data-block-key=\"6qq9l\">“The underlying lawsuit here appears frivolous for any number of reasons,” Stern said. “But even in constitutionally permissible defamation lawsuits, it’s been well-established law for decades that the remedy for plaintiffs is monetary damages, not censorship orders.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dk72e\">Adam Steinbaugh, a First Amendment lawyer at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, also <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social/post/3lik2rm5ubs2n\">noted</a> that the Supreme Court ruled in New York Times v. Sullivan that governments can’t sue for libel.</p><p data-block-key=\"eioo5\">The editorial was removed from the Press Register website on the morning of Feb. 19. The newspaper did not respond to requests for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"d89t2\">A full hearing on granting a permanent injunction is scheduled for Feb. 27.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"yleih\">A portion of the Feb. 18, 2025, order placing a prior restraint on The Clarksdale Press Register and requiring the newspaper to remove an editorial about the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi, from its online portals.</p>",
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"name": "Mississippi",
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"(2025-02-26 17:05:00+00:00) Mississippi court lifts order requiring newspaper to unpublish editorial"
],
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{
"title": "Karoline Leavitt targets media as White House press secretary",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/karoline-leavitt-targets-media-as-white-house-press-secretary/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:36:57.410824Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:23:47.487744Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:23:47.378415Z",
"date": "2025-02-12",
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"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"tcb5d\">From the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, has joined Trump in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"83pgh\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ekssr\"><i>This article was first published on Jan. 28, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"2mtnm\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#Feb 12\">Feb. 12, 2025 | White House defends AP ban, claims news agency is pushing ‘lies’</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#Jan 28\">Jan. 28, 2025 | Press secretary echoes media lie accusations</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"tcb5d\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"22hd2\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"Feb 12\" name=\"Feb 12\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"tcb5d\">Feb. 12, 2025 | White House defends AP ban, claims news agency is pushing ‘lies’</h4><p data-block-key=\"3d05h\">White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the barring of reporters for The Associated Press from multiple events at the White House during a news briefing on Feb. 12, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"43hv1\">In a <a href=\"https://x.com/katie_robertson/status/1889739177169670148/photo/1\">letter</a> objecting to the decision, AP Executive Editor Julie Pace wrote that Leavitt had warned the newsroom that its reporters would not be allowed to attend White House events if it didn’t align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.</p><p data-block-key=\"9b41e\">AP reporters were <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ap-reporters-barred-from-white-house-events-over-editorial-style-policy/\">barred from attending</a> at least four events between Feb. 11 and 13; it was unclear whether AP reporters would also be excluded from subsequent White House events.</p><p data-block-key=\"hecu\">“The actions taken by the White House were plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech,” Pace wrote. “It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say. This is viewpoint discrimination based on a news organization’s editorial choices and a clear violation of the First Amendment.”</p><p data-block-key=\"135uv\">During a news briefing on Feb. 12, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/12/politics/video/collins-wh-briefing-ap-reporter-digvid\">asked</a> whether the decision to exclude the AP was “setting a precedent that this White House will retaliate against reporters who don’t use the language that you guys believe reporters should use.”</p><p data-block-key=\"12koa\">Leavitt replied: “I was very upfront in my briefing on Day 1 that if we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable. And it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America. And I am not sure why news outlets don’t want to call it that but that is what it is.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2aj4l\">The White House Correspondents’ Association quickly condemned the move, <a href=\"https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5141155-karoline-leavitt-ap-oval-office-gulf-of-america/\">according to The Hill</a>. “The White House cannot dictate how news organizations report the news, nor should it penalize working journalists because it is unhappy with their editors’ decisions,” the WHCA said.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"Jan 28\" name=\"Jan 28\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"tcb5d\">Jan. 28, 2025 | Press secretary echoes media lie accusations</h4><p data-block-key=\"6b3d3\">While President Donald Trump, in <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-freedom-of-speech-and-ending-federal-censorship/\">one of his first executive orders</a>, extolled the importance of “restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship,” an attitude of hostility toward the press was perpetuated by the White House itself.</p><p data-block-key=\"87dts\">Karoline Leavitt, in her <a href=\"https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/white-house-daily-briefing/655038\">first briefing</a> as press secretary Jan. 28, 2025, pushed Trump’s allegations that outlets had deliberately lied in order to hurt his campaign and administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"7apbm\">“We know for a fact that there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets in this country about this president, about his family, and we will not accept that. We will call you out when we feel that your reporting is wrong, or there is misinformation about this White House,” Leavitt said. “So yes, I will hold myself to the truth and I expect everyone in this room to do the same.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6sv6u\">Leavitt also told reporters, “All of you once again have access to the most transparent and accessible president in American history.” But in what appears to be a snub to mainstream media, hard passes and access to the briefing room will also be extended to members of the “new media” — who Leavitt described as “independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators” — as long as they are producing “legitimate news content.”</p><p data-block-key=\"di8r8\">Leavitt did not respond directly to a question about how often she will be giving news briefings, which Trump <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-stops-regular-press-briefings-citing-unfair-media-treatment/\">halted</a> during the second half of his first term, citing unfair media treatment.</p><p data-block-key=\"9166n\">“The president is the best spokesperson that this White House has,” Leavitt said, “and I can assure you that you will be hearing from both him and me as much as possible.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP25028719314192.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"w7wy5\">White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the first press briefing of the new Trump administration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
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"Media",
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"tags": [
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{
"title": "AP reporters barred from White House events over editorial style policy",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ap-reporters-barred-from-white-house-events-over-editorial-style-policy/",
"first_published_at": "2025-02-12T21:12:06.702804Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-16T20:04:23.472290Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-16T20:04:23.268749Z",
"date": "2025-02-11",
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"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"9jjvk\">Two reporters for The Associated Press were prevented from attending events at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11, 2025, in retaliation for the wire service’s editorial policy to continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico despite its renaming by the administration, AP <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-ap-journalism-first-amendment-8a83d8b506053249598e807f8e91e1ae\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"693ha\">Julie Pace, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor, said in a <a href=\"https://www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/announcements/ap-statement-on-oval-office-access/\">statement</a> that the denials happened after the newsroom received a warning, later said to have come from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.</p><p data-block-key=\"a7vqq\">“Today we were informed by the White House that if AP did not align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, AP would be barred from accessing an event in the Oval Office,” Pace wrote. “This afternoon AP’s reporter was blocked from attending an executive order signing.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3du8p\">While an AP photographer was allowed into the Oval Office for the event, AP reported that a second reporter was also barred from a separate event in the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room later that evening.</p><p data-block-key=\"enq2p\">Pace condemned the denials in a <a href=\"https://x.com/katie_robertson/status/1889739177169670148/photo/1\">letter</a> to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Feb. 12.</p><p data-block-key=\"6jq27\">“The actions taken by the White House were plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech,” Pace wrote. “It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say. This is viewpoint discrimination based on a news organization’s editorial choices and a clear violation of the First Amendment.”</p><p data-block-key=\"36nch\">AP’s <a href=\"https://www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/announcements/ap-style-guidance-on-gulf-of-mexico-mount-mckinley/\">style guidance</a> on the name change, issued Jan. 23, advises that the Gulf of Mexico has held that name for more than 400 years and the news service must ensure that place names are recognizable to a global audience. “The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen,” the guidance reads.</p><p data-block-key=\"708f\">The AP Stylebook is used not only by the news agency and its reporters in over 200 locations worldwide but by journalists and other writers nationally and globally. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was not able to confirm whether journalists from any other news outlets who also follow AP’s guidance were similarly barred.</p><p data-block-key=\"43eb9\">CNN reporter Brian Stelter <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/brianstelter.bsky.social/post/3lhz2mtd2oc2r\">reported</a> that an AP reporter assigned to the media pool was again blocked from entering the Oval Office for Tulsi Gabbard’s swearing-in as director of national intelligence on Feb. 12.</p><p data-block-key=\"5r7ao\">Leavitt defended the decision to exclude the wire service when questioned about it during a news briefing that afternoon, <a href=\"https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5141155-karoline-leavitt-ap-oval-office-gulf-of-america/\">according to The Hill</a>, adding that it is a “privilege to cover the White House.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4e80j\">“If we feel there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable,” Leavitt said. “And it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America, and I’m not sure why news outlets don’t want to call it that but that is what it is.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3mhqa\">The AP did not respond to a request for further comment. In her letter to Wiles, Pace wrote that it is unclear whether AP reporters will continue to be excluded from future White House events and she urged the administration not to do so.</p><p data-block-key=\"g2ue\">“When journalists are blocked from doing their job, it is the American public who suffers,” Pace wrote. “The AP is prepared to vigorously defend its constitutional rights and protest the infringement on the public’s right to independent news coverage of their government and elected officials.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6qgc0\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include details about a third White House event that AP reporters were prevented from attending, as well as comments from Karoline Leavitt during a news briefing on Feb. 12, 2025.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP25042751897564.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"93ah8\">Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, both at right, spoke to reporters in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 11, 2025. An Associated Press reporter was excluded in retaliation for the wire service’s policy on the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-02-14 17:26:00+00:00) AP journalists indefinitely barred from Oval Office, Air Force One",
"(2025-02-21 17:05:00+00:00) The Associated Press sues Trump officials over access ban",
"(2025-04-08 17:14:00+00:00) The Associated Press wins court order over access to White House",
"(2025-04-15 00:00:00+00:00) White House spikes permanent press pool slot for wire services"
],
"case_statuses": [
"ongoing"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"The Associated Press"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Federal government: White House"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": [
"Government event"
]
},
{
"title": "Boston TV station turns over interview recordings, notes ahead of murder trial",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/boston-tv-station-turns-over-interview-recordings-notes-ahead-of-murder-trial/",
"first_published_at": "2025-03-28T17:13:58.354207Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-28T17:13:58.354207Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-28T17:13:58.194801Z",
"date": "2025-02-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Dedham",
"longitude": -71.16616,
"latitude": 42.24177,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vve76\">Broadcast station WFXT, a Fox News affiliate in Boston, was subpoenaed by prosecutors on Feb. 7, 2025, for interview recordings and notes in connection with a murder trial in Dedham, Massachusetts.</p><p data-block-key=\"58f0b\">A judge upheld the request later that month and the outlet turned over the materials in March, according to court records reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"38abk\">According to the prosecutors’ request, WFXT began advertising Feb. 6 about “the biggest interview of the year”: a sit-down with its reporter Ted Daniels and Karen Read, who <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5343433/karen-read-second-murder-trial\">stands accused</a> of the murder of her boyfriend in a case that has captured national attention. The interview aired Feb. 9.</p><p data-block-key=\"825cv\">After the case against Read ended in a mistrial in July 2024, prosecutors issued multiple subpoenas to news outlets and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-ordered-to-turn-over-notes-communications-around-murder-trial/\">journalists</a> ahead of the April 2025 retrial. Massachusetts does not have a formally recognized reporter’s shield law protecting journalists from being forced to disclose newsgathering materials.</p><p data-block-key=\"cte3k\">Prosecutors had <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/boston-tv-station-complies-with-order-for-interview-recordings-notes\">succeeded in subpoenaing</a> the broadcast station in 2024, with Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone ordering WFXT to produce copies of all recordings and notes from interviews with Read’s parents and brother.</p><p data-block-key=\"228u8\">In their February 2025 request, prosecutors asked Cannone to order the production of all recordings and notes from interviews with Karen Read, including those that were never aired.</p><p data-block-key=\"4m5t7\">“The defendant has repeatedly used the media to promote her position,” prosecutors wrote. “The defendant and her counsel cannot avail themselves of a media strategy to publicize and promote the defendant’s varying claims to the public at large and the potential jury pool while simultaneously excising statements and admissions that may not be favorable to her cause.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d9138\">Cannone granted the request on Feb. 19, ordering WFXT to produce the materials by March 1. According to court filings, the station complied and turned over the files on March 3.</p><p data-block-key=\"ak8uh\">WFXT did not respond to requests for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/WFXT-TV_2025_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"72nag\">A portion of Massachusetts prosecutors’ Feb. 7, 2025, motion to force WFXT to turn over recordings and notes from interviews with Karen Read ahead of Read’s retrial on murder charges. A judge upheld the request and WFXT turned over the records on March 3.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Massachusetts",
"abbreviation": "MA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"WFXT"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "More than 75 Lee Enterprises newspapers affected by cyberattack",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/more-than-75-lee-enterprises-newspapers-affected-by-cyberattack/",
"first_published_at": "2025-02-12T17:19:23.205195Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-04T21:44:50.694408Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-04T21:44:50.589276Z",
"date": "2025-02-03",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Davenport",
"longitude": -90.57764,
"latitude": 41.52364,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"oif3d\">Dozens of newspapers owned by Iowa-based news media company Lee Enterprises were affected by a cyberattack starting on Feb. 3, 2025, disrupting the publication of print and e-editions.</p><p data-block-key=\"9smah\">The St. Louis Post-Dispatch — one of Lee Enterprises’ more than 400 daily, weekly and specialty newspapers across 24 states — <a href=\"https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-post-dispatch-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_a76e69be-e5ae-11ef-b904-474af5328760.html\">reported</a> that the media conglomerate had experienced a “cybersecurity event.” The company alerted its newspapers that it had been working with third-party specialists to investigate the disruption and restore the systems.</p><p data-block-key=\"e5rdr\">“We are now focused on determining what information — if any — may have been affected by the situation,” Lee Enterprises CEO Kevin Mowbray wrote. “We are working to complete this investigation as quickly and thoroughly as possible, but these types of investigations are complex and time-consuming, with many taking several weeks or longer to complete.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fd7ln\">According to the Post-Dispatch, the targeting of the company’s computers prevented many newspapers from building pages and publishing print editions. The Winston-Salem Journal in North Carolina <a href=\"https://journalnow.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-winston-salem-journal-lee-enterprises-greensboro-attack/article_7c5ab88a-e5c3-11ef-8583-6ff0c409859f.html\">reported</a> that some subscribers could not access their accounts.</p><p data-block-key=\"66u3p\">At least 79 newspapers reported disruptions to their operations. Many published delayed or smaller editions while others were unable to publish entirely.</p><p data-block-key=\"acvij\">The Sentinel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, <a href=\"https://cumberlink.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-lee-enterprises/article_8d167d2f-477f-5940-ac90-741e85aafe69.html\">reported</a> that the cyberattack affected phone lines and internet at its office, forcing staff to work remotely. Carrier Sidener, executive editor of The News & Advance in Lynchburg, Virginia, <a href=\"https://newsadvance.com/news/local/cyber-attack-newspaper-lynchburg/article_5fab1816-e658-11ef-8e89-a71266caf132.html\">wrote</a> on Feb. 9 that the attack also disabled her newsroom’s phone system.</p><p data-block-key=\"eg47b\">As of Feb. 12, Lee newspapers continued to have banners on their websites that read: “We are currently undergoing maintenance on some services, which may temporarily affect access to subscription accounts and the e-edition. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issues.”</p><p data-block-key=\"79u90\">According to the Winston-Salem Journal, CEO Mowbray told the newspapers that the company is working to find ways to prevent something similar from happening again but did not say when the issues would be resolved.</p><p data-block-key=\"blvpa\">Mowbray also thanked employees “for your above-and-beyond efforts to continue reporting the news and maintaining our operations under challenging circumstances.”</p><p data-block-key=\"94oq3\">The full list of outlets confirmed to have been affected, listed alphabetically by state:</p><ul><li data-block-key=\"2iabl\"><b>Arizona</b> — <a href=\"https://tucson.com/news/local/arizona-daily-star-lee-enterprises-system-production-problems-cyberattack/article_8d580b3c-e5ba-11ef-a1fe-3f41c68580b0.html\">The Arizona Daily Star</a></li><li data-block-key=\"4juul\"><b>Illinois</b> — <a href=\"https://herald-review.com/news/local/herald-review-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_23b01a68-e5d7-11ef-b3a0-975ffcf122e6.html\">Herald & Review</a>, <a href=\"https://jg-tc.com/news/local/jg-tc-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_bddbbcc2-e5d8-11ef-898e-67db9e7672aa.html\">Journal Gazette & Times-Courier</a>, <a href=\"https://pantagraph.com/news/local/pantagraph-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_282847e8-1dd0-5163-a40e-4b3e1f52ce89.html\">The Pantagraph</a>, <a href=\"https://pantagraph.com/community/wcj/news/lee-falls-victim-to-cyber-attack/article_e80f5244-e725-11ef-8f6d-b31482ce2e8b.html\">Woodford County Journal</a></li><li data-block-key=\"2b2jn\"><b>Iowa</b> — <a href=\"https://dbrnews.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-hits-denison-bulletin-review-other-lee-news-outlets-causing-disruptions/article_5431284a-e801-11ef-bb5d-9f05001b2a10.html\">Bulletin-Review</a>, <a href=\"https://nonpareilonline.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-nonpareil-council-bluffs/article_19436a9e-e5cd-11ef-b2e2-abb41b527aa2.html\">The Daily Nonpareil</a>, <a href=\"https://qconline.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-quad-city-times-other-lee-enterprises-papers/article_0ada1d46-42bd-5ce8-ba8c-405b0a7824b3.html\">The Dispatch & The Rock Island Argus</a>, <a href=\"https://globegazette.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-event/article_23f58a0c-d595-57f7-ad90-cfd8fcd3b5ce.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_globegazette\">Globe Gazette</a>, <a href=\"https://qctimes.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-quad-city-times-other-lee-enterprises-papers/article_b480c86a-3c50-5abe-affb-7ebe7390ba2f.html\">Quad-City Times</a>, <a href=\"https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/sioux-city-journal-lee-enterprises-cybersecurity/article_7dc1957e-e666-11ef-aaee-cf5b4fd7fdcc.html\">Sioux City Journal</a>, <a href=\"https://valleynewstoday.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-hits-southwest-iowa-herald-other-lee-news-outlets-causing-disruptions/article_bb702629-31d5-5849-8f02-5dfab3bc484b.html\">Southwest Iowa Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-event/article_c068345b-776a-5e6f-98d5-d7fa3ce43a4d.html?mode=nowapp\">The Courier</a></li><li data-block-key=\"83jpr\"><b>Minnesota</b> — <a href=\"https://winonadailynews.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-at-newspaper/article_ccec1b44-e5b5-11ef-9643-e7c1626c853f.html\">Winona Daily News</a></li><li data-block-key=\"d3eiu\"><b>Missouri</b> — <a href=\"https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-post-dispatch-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_a76e69be-e5ae-11ef-b904-474af5328760.html\">The St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a></li><li data-block-key=\"e26bq\"><b>Montana</b> — <a href=\"https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_6e19fb12-e5bb-11ef-9bf6-7fcff18cc3db.html\">Billings Gazette</a>, <a href=\"https://helenair.com/news/local/cybersecutiry-lee-enterprises/article_4ed0ec1c-e5ba-11ef-91ea-536d0632a696.html\">Independent Record</a>, <a href=\"https://missoulian.com/news/local/cybersecurity-lee-enterprises/article_1329b714-e5bc-11ef-9de0-237f71ce065f.html\">Missoulian</a>, <a href=\"https://mtstandard.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-montana-standard-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_6e55e3d8-e5bc-11ef-ba7c-87d1796a0366.html\">Montana Standard</a>, <a href=\"https://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity/article_208f4aee-e5bd-11ef-9ef0-7f1bb60fd053.html\">Ravalli Republic</a></li><li data-block-key=\"43rbm\"><b>Nebraska</b> — <a href=\"https://columbustelegram.com/news/community/banner-press/printed-newspaper-delayed-read-the-latest-stories-from-the-david-city-banner-press/article_aa39050e-e4ab-11ef-b657-6b486ecbb4a9.html\">The Banner-Press</a>, <a href=\"https://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-daily-sun-and-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_9c880719-4a30-5831-b361-9f65dbc8218c.html\">Beatrice Daily Sun</a>, <a href=\"https://columbustelegram.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-columbus-telegram/article_946a32c8-e5cf-11ef-9f48-e73b5ea991a3.html\">The Columbus Telegram</a>, <a href=\"https://fremonttribune.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-fremont-tribune/article_fd6c24e4-e5ce-11ef-9972-1b5f9a0c32b7.html\">Fremont Tribune</a>, <a href=\"https://theindependent.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-hits-lee-news-outlets-causing-disruptions/article_9c7ba96a-e58d-5b4f-bf99-b765ca36df2c.html\">The Grand Island Independent</a>, <a href=\"https://lexch.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-clipper-herald-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_5f8c8e72-e5cd-11ef-9b00-ff3000eff3e9.html\">Lexington Clipper-Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://journalstar.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-impacting-journal-star/article_3bd60ffa-e5b7-11ef-a655-3bbb587661e4.html\">Lincoln Journal Star</a>, <a href=\"https://nptelegraph.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-north-platte-telegraph-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_9fb98468-f51b-55ef-abd6-5fb1a8e48b1b.html\">The North Platte Telegraph</a>, <a href=\"https://omaha.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-hits-the-world-herald-other-lee-news-outlets-causing-disruptions/article_dfb5b6e2-e5b8-11ef-9d33-937080c09b6f.html\">Omaha World-Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://columbustelegram.com/news/community/schuyler/cybersecurity-event-hits-schuyler-sun-other-lee-news-outlets-causing-disruptions/article_dae487e0-e81c-11ef-8c2a-cbc493448b18.html\">Schuyler Sun</a>, <a href=\"https://starherald.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-star-herald-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_a96f1ab1-12c2-51be-8767-9d5172a685fd.html\">Star-Herald</a></li><li data-block-key=\"ejco2\"><b>Nevada</b> — <a href=\"https://elkodaily.com/news/local/crime-courts/publisher-of-elko-daily-free-press-struck-by-cybersecurity-event/article_bf19777e-e5f5-11ef-b2e8-2f1ee2d48766.html\">Elko Daily Free Press</a></li><li data-block-key=\"9mvhl\"><b>New Jersey</b> — <a href=\"https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-press-of-atlantic-city-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_ea76ea3a-4e33-530c-bc7a-e7601fdde2a8.html\">The Press of Atlantic City</a></li><li data-block-key=\"avvo2\"><b>New York</b> — <a href=\"https://buffalonews.com/news/local/buffalo-new-cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises/article_6dc5e704-e5b4-11ef-b07f-db0b5c918647.html\">The Buffalo News</a>, <a href=\"https://auburnpub.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-citizen-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_84a16e08-f1ff-53d9-825b-0e198649eeaa.html\">The Citizen</a>, <a href=\"https://poststar.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-post-star-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_abe7c072-4cd3-5756-a381-a513601ebdae.html\">The Post-Star</a></li><li data-block-key=\"f4i0o\"><b>North Carolina</b> — <a href=\"https://hickoryrecord.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-hickory-morganton-statesville-attack/article_2cdfaab4-e5db-11ef-8a1c-3be8667b462d.html\">Hickory Daily Record</a>, <a href=\"https://mcdowellnews.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-hickory-morganton-statesville-attack/article_9e228ac4-e5dc-11ef-9498-0b90c9463753.html\">The McDowell News</a>, <a href=\"https://greensboro.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-winston-salem-journal-lee-enterprises-greensboro-attack/article_e5e38e56-e5d9-11ef-b300-e77c69bf7b17.html\">News & Record</a>, <a href=\"https://morganton.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-hickory-morganton-statesville-attack/article_980c1708-e5dd-11ef-985f-afd14b166501.html\">The News Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://statesville.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-lee-enterprises-hickory-morganton-statesville-attack/article_209350d8-e5dd-11ef-905e-3b6beaa10a84.html\">Statesville Record and Landmark</a>, <a href=\"https://journalnow.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-winston-salem-journal-lee-enterprises-greensboro-attack/article_7c5ab88a-e5c3-11ef-8583-6ff0c409859f.html\">Winston-Salem Journal</a></li><li data-block-key=\"hug0\"><b>North Dakota</b> — <a href=\"https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/business/the-bismarck-tribune-lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-event-attack/article_3d31cffc-86b1-59d5-8f67-ff45aa5f2853.html\">The Bismarck Tribune</a>, <a href=\"https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/business/the-bismarck-tribune-lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-event-attack/article_3d31cffc-86b1-59d5-8f67-ff45aa5f2853.html\">The Morton County and Mandan News</a></li><li data-block-key=\"1fhd8\"><b>Oklahoma</b> — <a href=\"https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-tulsa-world-other-lee-enterprises-sites/article_436bbb16-e5bc-11ef-9238-17e82078267a.html\">Tulsa World</a></li><li data-block-key=\"6huof\"><b>Pennsylvania</b> — <a href=\"https://cumberlink.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-lee-enterprises/article_8d167d2f-477f-5940-ac90-741e85aafe69.html\">The Sentinel</a></li><li data-block-key=\"fq1rv\"><b>Oregon</b> — <a href=\"https://democratherald.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-dh-gt/article_22c0e127-795c-5707-abd8-d59c5d7e6d2e.html\">Albany Democrat-Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://gazettetimes.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-dh-gt/article_95d21b40-916b-5972-9acd-24dbe4d3913f.html\">Corvallis Gazette-Times</a></li><li data-block-key=\"e9tdm\"><b>South Carolina</b> — <a href=\"https://scnow.com/news/local/business/florence-hartsville-marion-mullins/article_853293e1-c814-5965-b5d7-74e52b0e7034.html\">The Morning News</a>, <a href=\"https://thetandd.com/news/local/business/orangeburg-lee-enterprises/article_db694f31-9b11-534a-8134-f5a54aa97992.html\">The Times and Democrat</a></li><li data-block-key=\"1vudd\"><b>South Dakota</b> — <a href=\"https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/community/chadron/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-chadron-record-other-lee-enterprises-sites/article_0bb807e4-e7c2-11ef-bdbf-bb92a738def5.html\">The Chadron Record</a>, <a href=\"https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-courts/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-rapid-city-journal-other-lee-enterprises-sites/article_1ea78c1c-e5ba-11ef-bd3f-6f465548cb7f.html\">Rapid City Journal</a></li><li data-block-key=\"2lvg4\"><b>Texas</b> — <a href=\"https://theeagle.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-incident-texas-newspapers-bcs-waco/article_bcb63e7c-e68b-11ef-8459-97229e01eed6.html\">The Eagle</a>, <a href=\"https://wacotrib.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-incident-texas-newspapers-waco-bcs/article_411c5954-e5b9-11ef-8846-676a79f09146.html\">Waco Tribune-Herald</a></li><li data-block-key=\"eei83\"><b>Virginia</b> — <a href=\"https://newsadvance.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-news-advance-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_92617506-e5b9-11ef-ad05-fb9943692893.html\">Amherst New Era-Progress</a>, <a href=\"https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-herald-courier-other-lee-newspapers/article_da7b1f32-eb07-5c82-b24c-310fa8103c3b.html\">Bristol Herald Courier</a>, <a href=\"https://starexponent.com/news/local/richmond-times-dispatch-lee-enterprises-cybersecurity/article_5b925beb-c3a5-586d-a0ce-23032ef7f2d7.html\">Culpeper Star-Exponent</a>, <a href=\"https://newsvirginian.com/news/local/business/news-virginian-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_0afb0ebf-116f-5895-aea6-2b7df249b5f3.html\">The Daily Progress</a>, <a href=\"https://godanriver.com/news/state-and-regional/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-register-bee-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_d77f0f1a-e5c1-11ef-a98f-3fdad49454f2.html\">Danville Register & Bee</a>, <a href=\"https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-free-lance-star-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_86af767c-e659-11ef-a552-cff28de1d43f.html\">The Free Lance-Star</a>, <a href=\"https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/business/daily-progress-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_ed3270d4-e5b9-11ef-aebb-1f36f175e8e4.html\">Madison County Eagle</a>, <a href=\"https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-martinsville-bulletin-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_a3c1360d-119d-50d4-be2e-e296930981c9.html\">Martinsville Bulletin</a>, <a href=\"https://newsadvance.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-news-advance-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_92617506-e5b9-11ef-ad05-fb9943692893.html\">Nelson County Times</a>, <a href=\"https://newsadvance.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-disrupts-operations-at-the-news-advance-other-lee-enterprises-newspapers/article_92617506-e5b9-11ef-ad05-fb9943692893.html\">The News & Advance</a>, <a href=\"https://newsvirginian.com/no-print-newspaper-saturday-read-the-latest-from-the-news-virginian/article_e5a96b44-e5d0-11ef-a504-03301748b674.html\">The News Virginian</a>, <a href=\"https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/business/daily-progress-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_ed3270d4-e5b9-11ef-aebb-1f36f175e8e4.html\">Orange County Review</a>, <a href=\"https://richmond.com/news/local/business/richmond-times-dispatch-lee-enterprises-cybersecurity/article_4785c59c-e5b3-11ef-801d-738bf629668d.html\">Richmond Times-Dispatch</a>, <a href=\"https://roanoke.com/news/local/business/article_de0070a4-7065-5f47-bcec-da83e6d6b755.html\">The Roanoke Times</a>, <a href=\"https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/business/daily-progress-parent-company-victim-of-cybersecurity-event/article_ed3270d4-e5b9-11ef-aebb-1f36f175e8e4.html\">Rural Virginian</a></li><li data-block-key=\"826p0\"><b>Washington</b> — <a href=\"https://tdn.com/news/local/longview-wa-newspaper-late-delivery/article_ad3d0a94-e64e-11ef-9573-17360d591ea3.html\">The Daily News</a></li><li data-block-key=\"fhfi7\"><b>Wisconsin</b> — <a href=\"https://wiscnews.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/no-printed-newspapers-today-heres-the-latest-from-baraboo-portage-and-beaver-dam/article_f7d5a65c-e41d-11ef-ada8-4b2b73c003e7.html\">Baraboo News Republic</a>, <a href=\"https://chippewa.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-at-newspaper/article_68b2ed82-e5b6-11ef-a71d-8b85adb13f3f.html\">The Chippewa Herald</a>, <a href=\"https://wiscnews.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/no-printed-newspapers-today-heres-the-latest-from-baraboo-portage-and-beaver-dam/article_f7d5a65c-e41d-11ef-ada8-4b2b73c003e7.html\">Daily Citizen</a>, <a href=\"https://journaltimes.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-jt/article_17f65110-e631-11ef-adb0-ef2f5f2ba146.html\">The Journal Times</a>, <a href=\"https://wiscnews.com/news/state-regional/lee-enterprises-cybersecurity-event/article_fafeef65-4e8b-555f-900a-641eea13d186.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Juneau_County_Star-Times\">Juneau County Star-Times</a>, <a href=\"https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-kn/article_a309bb28-e633-11ef-9da3-db959264cbeb.html\">Kenosha News</a>, <a href=\"https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/business/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-at-newspaper/article_06fc74d8-e5b5-11ef-a7f6-27a45e198ea6.html\">La Crosse Tribune</a>, <a href=\"https://madison.com/news/local/article_4fb619d8-e5b3-11ef-94d3-832c2e05abaf.html\">Wisconsin State Journal</a></li><li data-block-key=\"55c12\"><b>Wyoming</b> — <a href=\"https://trib.com/news/local/companywide-tech-outages-impact-star-tribune-print-newspaper-and-e-editions/article_e1b47d28-e439-11ef-8f09-2b46431e8c8a.html\">Casper Star-Tribune</a></li></ul><p data-block-key=\"4nq2a\"></p><p data-block-key=\"aasvm\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include the names of additional news outlets that were confirmed to have been affected by the cyberattack.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Lee_Enterprises_-_Post-Dispatch.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"61pek\">The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and 75 other Lee Enterprises newspapers were affected by a cyberattack on the Iowa-based news media company on Feb. 3, 2025. Banners on the news websites alerted readers of ongoing “maintenance on some services.”</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
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"state": {
"name": "Iowa",
"abbreviation": "IA"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-02-18 17:17:00+00:00) Lee systems accessed, files withdrawn in cyberattack",
"(2025-02-27 16:44:00+00:00) Cybercrime group claims it’s behind Lee Enterprises attack"
],
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"targeted_institutions": [
"Lee Enterprises"
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"tags": [
"cyberattack"
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"Other Incident"
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},
{
"title": "Freelance photojournalist arrested at anti-deportation protest in Indiana",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-photojournalist-arrested-at-anti-deportation-protest-in-indiana/",
"first_published_at": "2025-01-21T22:13:07.630584Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-04-04T12:30:39.715515Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-04-04T12:30:39.621044Z",
"date": "2025-01-18",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Gary",
"longitude": -87.34643,
"latitude": 41.59337,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"sw9mj\">Freelance photojournalist Matthew Kaplan was arrested in Gary, Indiana, on Jan. 18, 2025, while reporting on a pre-inauguration protest against large-scale deportations planned by Donald Trump’s incoming administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"7sotd\">In a <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/mkaplanphoto/p/DE_ozY8Oo4d/11825-gary-indiana-i-was-arrested-by-the-gary-police-today-while-documenting-a-p/?img_index=7\">post on social media</a>, Kaplan wrote that protesters had gathered at the Gary/Chicago International Airport to demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Regular protests have been held there since 2017 to object to its long-standing use by ICE for deportation flights, The Times of Northwest Indiana <a href=\"https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/arrests-deportation-protest-gary-airport/article_109df45c-d5da-11ef-87e9-bbc3934461d0.html\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ijv0\">The demonstrators marched toward the airport from a nearby train station while chanting and carrying signs, including “Abolish ICE” and “No Human is Illegal,” Kaplan wrote. After spending around 10 minutes protesting near the airport, they began the walk back to the train.</p><p data-block-key=\"23ktl\">“Soon some 10-15 police cars were tailing the group and ordered them to get off the active highway,” Kaplan wrote. “This order was eventually obeyed, but almost immediately after the marchers were on the grassy shoulder, police began to push people down and make arrests.”</p><p data-block-key=\"busb8\">Lisa Kiselevich, another freelance photojournalist covering the demonstration, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that both she and Kaplan were photographing as police carried one of the arrested protesters to a police vehicle. She said she remembered thinking Kaplan was standing in the better position.</p><p data-block-key=\"3sco4\">“I’m like, ‘Oh, he got the best spot there for his shots, because then he can see the person and the police car door open and everything. He’s in the perfect spot there,” Kiselevich said. “It turned out that the spot was not so lucky, because the (my) next shot shows the policeman grabbing him from the back.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b29ql\">Kiselevich said she didn’t hear the Gary Police Department officer issue a warning before arresting Kaplan, adding that while the scene was chaotic it was clear that both she and Kaplan were only photographing the event.</p><p data-block-key=\"aenal\">She said Kaplan gave her his two cameras, along with his tripod and camera bag, because he was concerned the officers might wipe his memory cards. The officer allowed the handoff but repeatedly threatened Kiselevich with arrest if she didn’t leave.</p><p data-block-key=\"8epfv\">“I said, ‘Well yeah, I’ll be out of here. Just let me grab his camera,’” Kiselevich said. “I did it and was walking, and then he walked behind me, the policeman, and he kept saying, ‘I will arrest you’ or ‘I’m going to arrest you’ or something like that. And not very loudly either.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9cvvh\">The Gary Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"c2l5v\">Kaplan wrote in his account that he was taken to the Gary Police Station and held for around two hours before he was released on charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and resisting law enforcement.</p><p data-block-key=\"7fum1\">“I don’t really like myself being the story, because there were two protesters who were arrested too,” Kaplan told the Tracker. “That’s what I thought I was covering. I thought I was just covering a march. I didn’t think I was going to be covering police action or my own arrest.”</p><p data-block-key=\"q659\">Kaplan declined to comment further, following legal advice, before his initial appearance hearing Jan. 22.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Kaplan_arrest.be9ed8b5.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"2nbn4\">Freelance photojournalist Matthew Kaplan, at center left in green, was arrested while covering an anti-deportation protest in Gary, Indiana, on Jan. 18, 2025. He was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.</p>",
"arresting_authority": "Gary Police Department",
"arrest_status": "arrested and released",
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": "2025-01-18",
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"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
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"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Indiana",
"abbreviation": "IN"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-03-27 16:56:00+00:00) Indiana case against photographer dismissed"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2024",
"immigration",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Matthew Kaplan (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
}
]
