Incident Database

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Took place before

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State

Targeted any of these journalists

Targeted Institutions

Has any of these tags

Case number

Legal case statuses

Type of case

Arrest/Criminal Charge

Arrest status

Status of charges

Charges

Unnecessary use of force?

Yes
No

Assault

Assailant

Was journalist targeted?

Unknown
Yes
No

Border Stop

Border point

Stopped previously?

Yes
No

Target Nationality

US Citizenship Status

Denied entry?

Yes
No

Did authorities ask intrusive questions about journalist's work?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for device access?

Unknown
Yes
No

Were devices searched or seized?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for social media username?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for social media password?

Unknown
Yes
No

Denial of Access

Government agency or public official involved

Equipment Damage

Equipment Broken

Equipment Search or Seizure

Actor

Status of seized equipment

Equipment Seized

Search warrant obtained?

Yes
No

Leak Case

Targets whose communications were obtained in leak investigation

Charged under espionage act?

Yes
No

Prior Restraint

Status of prior restraint

Subpoena/Legal Order

Subpoena type

Subpoena status

If subject refused to cooperate, were they held in contempt?

Unknown
Yes
No

Detention status

Third party in possession of communications

Third party business

Legal order type

8 incidents recorded

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Incident

Incident Details

Category Details

Journalists removed from Iowa Senate floor, overturning a century-old practice

Incident Details

Date of Incident: January 7, 2022
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Media

Government agency or public official involved →: Iowa Senate Republicans

Des Moines Register reporter hit with pepper spray in face after repeatedly identifying as press

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 1, 2020
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Katie Akin (Des Moines Register)

Assailant →: Law enforcement
Was the journalist targeted? →: Yes

Independent photojournalist sues following arrest, assault at Des Moines protest

Incident Details

Date of Incident: June 1, 2020
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Case number: 4:21-cv-00042
Targets: Mark “Ted” Nieters (Freelance)
Case Status: Appealed
Type of case: Civil

Arrest Status →: Arrested and released
Arresting Authority →: Des Moines Police Department
Charges →: Rioting: failure to disperse

Jun. 1, 2020: Charges pending

Aug. 13, 2020: Charges dropped
Release Date →: June 2, 2020
Unnecessary use of force? →: Yes

Assailant →: Law enforcement
Was the journalist targeted? →: Yes

Reporter pepper sprayed, arrested amid protests in Des Moines

Incident Details

Updated On: March 10, 2021
Date of Incident: May 31, 2020
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Andrea Sahouri (Des Moines Register)

Arrest Status →: Arrested and released
Arresting Authority →: Des Moines Police Department
Charges →: Obstruction: interference with official acts

May. 31, 2020: Charges pending

Mar. 10, 2021: Acquitted

Rioting: failure to disperse

May. 31, 2020: Charges pending

Mar. 10, 2021: Acquitted
Unnecessary use of force? →: Yes

Assailant →: Law enforcement
Was the journalist targeted? →: Yes

Reporter covering Iowa protests struck by rubber bullet

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 31, 2020
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Bryon Houlgrave (Des Moines Register)

Assailant →: Law enforcement
Was the journalist targeted? →: Unknown

Iowa blogger denied press access to Statehouse

Incident Details

Date of Incident: January 10, 2019
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Laura Belin (Independent)

Government agency or public official involved →: Iowa Legislature

TV reporter Maria Lisignoli assaulted while documenting public fight

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 6, 2018
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Maria Lisignoli (WHO-HD 13)

Assailant →: Private individual
Was the journalist targeted? →: Yes

Iowa judge orders Des Moines Register not to publish article about attorney

Incident Details

Date of Incident: December 11, 2017
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Targets: Clark Kauffman (Des Moines Register)

Status of Prior Restraint →: Dropped