Incident Database

Download dataset

Download full dataset 1,879 incidents Download your filtered data 35 incidents

Texas attorney general subpoenas Media Matters after report on X

Incident Details

Date of Incident: December 1, 2023
Location: Austin, Texas
Case number: 8:23-cv-03363
Targets: Media Matters for America
Case Status: Ongoing
Type of case: Civil

Legal Orders →: Motion to compel for communications or work product

Dec. 1, 2023: Pending

Dec. 11, 2023: Objected to
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Chilling Statement

Newsmax ordered to turn over journalists’ texts in Dominion defamation suit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: December 1, 2023
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Targets: Newsmax Media

Legal Orders →: Motion to compel for communications or work product

Dec. 1, 2023: Upheld
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Illinois watchdog blog subpoenaed in defamation case; subpoena later withdrawn

Incident Details

Date of Incident: November 28, 2023
Location: Belleville, Illinois
Targets: Edgar County Watchdogs

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Nov. 28, 2023: Pending

Dec. 20, 2023: Dropped

subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Nov. 28, 2023: Pending

Dec. 20, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Reporter subpoenaed for testimony in Title IX lawsuit

Incident Details

Updated On: February 1, 2024
Date of Incident: November 22, 2023
Location: Sacramento, California
Targets: Kenneth “Kenny” Jacoby (USA Today)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for other testimony

Nov. 22, 2023: Pending

Dec. 6, 2023: Objected to

Feb. 1, 2024: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

Subpoena quashed for reporter’s communications as part of Title IX lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: October 31, 2023
Location: Sacramento, California
Targets: Kenneth “Kenny” Jacoby (USA Today)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Oct. 31, 2023: Pending

Nov. 13, 2023: Objected to

Dec. 21, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

New England newspaper subpoenaed over defamation suit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: September 25, 2023
Location: Concord, New Hampshire
Targets: Caledonian Record

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Sep. 25, 2023: Pending

Sep. 29, 2023: Objected to

Oct. 6, 2023: Dropped

subpoena for other testimony

Sep. 25, 2023: Pending

Sep. 29, 2023: Objected to

Oct. 6, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

New Hampshire reporter subpoenaed over defamation suit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: September 25, 2023
Location: Concord, New Hampshire
Targets: Robert Blechl (Caledonian Record)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Sep. 25, 2023: Pending

Sep. 29, 2023: Objected to

Oct. 6, 2023: Dropped

subpoena for other testimony

Sep. 25, 2023: Pending

Sep. 29, 2023: Objected to

Oct. 6, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Judge orders journalist to turn over source communications

Incident Details

Updated On: December 1, 2023
Date of Incident: September 14, 2023
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Targets: Mike Elk (Payday Report)

Legal Orders →: Motion to compel for communications or work product

Sep. 14, 2023: Upheld

Oct. 16, 2023: Objected to

Dec. 1, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

ProPublica receives 'sprawling' subpoena following tax evasion series

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: ProPublica

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

ProPublica journalist subpoenaed over IRS lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: Ash Ngu (ProPublica)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

ProPublica senior data reporter subpoenaed over IRS lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: Jeff Ernsthausen (ProPublica)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

ProPublica senior editor subpoenaed over IRS lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: Jesse Eisinger (ProPublica)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

Former ProPublica reporter subpoenaed over IRS lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: Mick Dumke (ProPublica)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

ProPublica reporter subpoenaed over IRS suit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2023
Location: Miami, Florida
Targets: Paul Kiel (ProPublica)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Aug. 22, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

Newsroom, personal equipment seized in Kansas raid

Incident Details

Updated On: April 1, 2024
Date of Incident: August 11, 2023
Location: Marion, Kansas
Case number: 2:24-cv-02122
Targets: Marion County Record
Case Status: Ongoing
Type of case: Civil

Equipment Seized →: Computer, 4

Storage device, 1

Work product, 2
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: Yes

Legal Orders →: warrant for communications or work product

Aug. 11, 2023: Pending

Aug. 11, 2023: Carried out

Aug. 16, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Kansas newspaper editor’s home raided by local law enforcement

Incident Details

Updated On: April 1, 2024
Date of Incident: August 11, 2023
Location: Marion, Kansas
Case number: 2:24-cv-02122
Targets: Eric Meyer (Marion County Record), Joan Meyer (Marion County Record)
Case Status: Ongoing
Type of case: Civil

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1

Computer, 3

Storage device, 1

Work product, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: Yes

Legal Orders →: warrant for communications or work product

Aug. 11, 2023: Pending

Aug. 11, 2023: Carried out

Aug. 16, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Journalist called to testify before grand jury on Trump election interference

Incident Details

Updated On: August 31, 2023
Date of Incident: July 31, 2023
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Targets: George Chidi (Freelance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for other testimony

Jul. 31, 2023: Pending

Aug. 31, 2023: Dropped

subpoena for other testimony

Jul. 31, 2023: Pending

Aug. 31, 2023: Dropped
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Fox News subpoenaed by Trump attorneys for interview footage in Jan. 6 lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: July 2023
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Targets: Fox News

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Jul. 7, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

Journalist subpoenaed five times in legal feud over boxing match

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 30, 2023
Location: Los Angeles, California
Targets: Lance Pugmire (Freelance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Jun. 30, 2023: Pending

Jul. 11, 2023: Objected to

Sep. 11, 2023: Quashed

subpoena for communications or work product

Jun. 30, 2023: Pending

Jul. 11, 2023: Objected to

Sep. 11, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Journalist subpoenaed by Showtime in boxing lawsuit

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 22, 2023
Location: Los Angeles, California
Targets: Lance Pugmire (Freelance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Jun. 22, 2023: Pending

Jul. 11, 2023: Objected to

Sep. 11, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Journalist subpoenaed for testimony by boxer Manny Pacquiao

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 22, 2023
Location: Los Angeles, California
Targets: Lance Pugmire (Freelance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Jun. 22, 2023: Pending

Jul. 11, 2023: Objected to

Sep. 11, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Journalist subpoenaed for testimony by boxing trainer

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 22, 2023
Location: Los Angeles, California
Targets: Lance Pugmire (Freelance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Jun. 22, 2023: Pending

Jul. 11, 2023: Objected to

Sep. 11, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

NHPR ordered to turn over reporter interviews, notes

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 30, 2023
Location: Brentwood, New Hampshire
Targets: Lauren Chooljian (New Hampshire Public Radio)

Legal Orders →: other for communications or work product

May. 30, 2023: Upheld

Unknown date: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

California reporter subpoenaed to testify at murder trial

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 24, 2023
Location: Bakersfield, California
Targets: Ishani Desai (The Bakersfield Californian)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for other testimony

May. 24, 2023: Pending
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

IndyStar reporter subpoenaed, testifies in high-profile abortion case

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 17, 2023
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Targets: Shari Rudavsky (The Indianapolis Star)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for other testimony

May. 17, 2023: Carried out
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

FBI raids home, office of independent journalist on hacking allegations

Incident Details

Updated On: February 21, 2024
Date of Incident: May 8, 2023
Location: Tampa, Florida
Targets: Tim Burke (Independent)

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 4

Computer, 9

Storage device, 7

Work product, 4
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in part
Search Warrant Obtained →: Yes

Legal Orders →: warrant for communications or work product

May. 4, 2023: Pending

May. 8, 2023: Carried out
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: Federal

Newspaper ordered to comply with subpoena for jailhouse interview notes

Incident Details

Updated On: November 15, 2023
Date of Incident: April 4, 2023
Location: Bakersfield, California
Targets: The Bakersfield Californian

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Apr. 4, 2023: Pending

Apr. 25, 2023: Objected to

May. 10, 2023: Upheld

May. 15, 2023: Objected to

May. 17, 2023: Ignored

May. 24, 2023: Objected to

Nov. 7, 2023: Upheld

Nov. 15, 2023: Carried out
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Arrest Status →: Charged without arrest
Arresting Authority →: Superior Court of California
Charges →: Contempt of court

May. 24, 2023: Convicted

May. 24, 2023: Pending appeal

Nov. 7, 2023: Acquitted
Unnecessary use of force? →: No

Former Fox News producer subpoenaed in defamation suit against Fox

Incident Details

Date of Incident: April 3, 2023
Location: New York, New York
Targets: Abby Grossberg (Fox News)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Apr. 3, 2023: Pending

Apr. 23, 2023: Carried out
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Reporter subpoenaed in Staten Island assault case

Incident Details

Date of Incident: March 24, 2023
Location: New York, New York
Targets: Maura Grunlund (Staten Island Advance)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for other testimony

Mar. 24, 2023: Pending

Unknown date: Objected to

Apr. 4, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist

Political journalist subpoenaed by state senator for source communications

Incident Details

Date of Incident: March 8, 2023
Location: Chesterfield, Virginia
Targets: Brandon Jarvis (Virginia Scope)

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Mar. 8, 2023: Pending

Mar. 15, 2023: Objected to

Mar. 23, 2023: Quashed

subpoena for testimony about confidential source

Mar. 8, 2023: Pending

Mar. 15, 2023: Objected to

Mar. 23, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Journalist
Legal Order Venue →: State

Political newsletter subpoenaed by state senator for source communications

Incident Details

Date of Incident: March 8, 2023
Location: Chesterfield, Virginia
Targets: Virginia Scope

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Mar. 8, 2023: Pending

Mar. 15, 2023: Objected to

Mar. 23, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State

Newspaper subpoenaed for reporter’s notes from jailhouse interview

Incident Details

Date of Incident: March 3, 2023
Location: Bakersfield, California
Targets: The Bakersfield Californian

Legal Orders →: subpoena for communications or work product

Mar. 3, 2023: Pending

Mar. 16, 2023: Objected to

Apr. 4, 2023: Quashed
Legal Order Target →: Institution
Legal Order Venue →: State