All Incidents - U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

Daily News reporter Ken Lovett arrested at New York State Senate

Journalist Ken Lovett arrested for talking on cell phone in New York State Senate lobby

March 28, 2018

Ken Lovett, the Albany bureau chief for the New York Daily News, was arrested by State Police troopers in the …

Citizen journalist arrested for publishing information before local police

December 13, 2017

Citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal was arrested by the Laredo Police Department and charged with two felony counts of “misuse of official information” on December 13, 2017. Villarreal — an independent journalist based in Laredo, Texas who is often known by her nickname “La Gordiloca” — published the name of a Border Patrol agent who committed suicide on her Facebook page in April, before the Laredo Police Department’s official release about the incident. The Laredo Morning Times reported on December 15 …

Mike Stark

Shareblue Media reporter Mike Stark arrested while covering Republican candidate for Virginia governor

October 28, 2017

Mike Stark, a reporter for the liberal news site Shareblue Media, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia on October 28, …

Jordan Chariton on TYT in St. Louis

The Young Turks reporter Jordan Chariton arrested in St. Louis

October 3, 2017

Jordan Chariton, a reporter for the progressive online news organization The Young Turks, was arrested along with cameraman Ty Bayliss …

Screengrab of Ty Bayliss arrested

The Young Turks cameraman Ty Bayliss arrested in St. Louis

October 3, 2017

Ty Bayliss — a cameraman and editor for the progressive online news organization The Young Turks — was arrested along …

Screengrab of Jon Ziegler sitting on ground

Independent journalist Jon Ziegler arrested in St. Louis for second time

October 3, 2017

Jon Ziegler was arrested in St. Louis while covering protests on September 17 and then again on October 3.

Daniel Shular

Freelance photographer Daniel Shular arrested in St. Louis

October 3, 2017

Daniel Shular — a St. Louis-based freelance photographer whose work has been published in NBC News, Xinhua and Riverfront Times …

Al Neal

People’s World reporter Al Neal arrested and jailed for over 24 hours

October 3, 2017

Al Neal, the St. Louis bureau chief for progressive online newspaper People’s World, was arrested and jailed for 26 hours …

More Incidents

Data Summary

Total Results	38
Journalists affected	37
Results in 2018	1

How we track Arrests And Criminal Charges

Journalists arrested and taken into custody and/or charged with a crime. Journalists who are still facing charges as of August 2, 2017 are included in this category even if the charges were filed in a previous year.

How we track Border Stops

Journalists stopped at the border and subjected to prolonged, invasive questioning or who have their electronic devices searched or are asked to provide passwords. We count border stops even if we are unable to draw a direct connection between the stop and the journalist’s work activities, because the resistance of U.S. authorities to provide information makes it extremely difficult to identify the motive and because invasive questioning or device searches could jeopardize source confidentiality no matter the motive. Not every stop at the border is a press freedom violation, but we believe it is essential to capture patterns related to these stops. This category also includes cases where journalists are prevented from entering the country if it appears that their inability to enter the country is related to their work.

How we track Subpoenas And Legal Orders

Subpoenas issued by government prosecutors or agencies ordering journalists to testify in court. Subpoenas requested by private parties will not be included. This category also includes legal orders for the production of journalist records or work product, which may be targeted at journalists or at third parties who have access to the work product. Because many subpoenas are not publicly reported and legal orders for journalist records are conducted with high levels of secrecy, the numbers in this category are likely to underestimate actual cases.

How we track Leak Cases

Government employees or contractors investigated or prosecuted for disclosing information to journalists or media platforms. This category does not include leak cases where information was not leaked to the media.

How we track Equipment Searches, Seizures And Damage

Journalists’ equipment searched or seized by law enforcement in the course of their work.

How we track Physical Attacks

Journalists who face physical violence and injury or equipment damage, either as the result of a targeted attack by a public or private individual or in the course of their work. If a journalist is hit by rubber bullets or bean bag rounds, it will be counted in this category.

Journalists affected by tear gas, pepper spray, or other mass riot control agents will be counted if the individual suffers serious injury or appears to have been specifically targeted. Incidents that fall outside these parameters and in which multiple journalists were affected by riot control agents may be counted in the “other” category.

How we track Denials Of Access

Denial of access to government events that are traditionally open or attended by the press and where the denial of access either deprives the public of significant information, appears to be retaliatory, or is done without meaningful justification. Concrete changes in policy or practice to restrict or deny access may also be included in this category.

Denial of access to individuals in some cases, such as where the available space limits the number of journalists allowed to attend or where individuals arguing for access do not meet reasonable standards for credentials, can be seen as meaningful justifications and will not be included.

How we track Chilling Statements

Selected public threats made to reporters and media organizations by U.S. politicians and other public figures, which can have a chilling effect on journalism.

How we track Other Incidents

Incidents that fall outside of the above categories. Editorial discretion will determine whether such incidents reach our threshold. Incidents that may be counted in this category include prior restraint, detentions that do not result in charges or arrest, clearly abusive lawsuits, harassment, and vandalism.