All Incidents - U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

Screenshot of anonymous New York Times op-ed

Trump tells DOJ to investigate author of anonymous op-ed criticizing him

September 7, 2018

“I would say [Attorney General Jeff Sessions] should be investigating who the author of that piece was,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

RT America compelled to register as ‘foreign agent’ by Department of Justice

November 30, 2017

RT America, an American cable channel that is part of a global television network funded by the Russian government, was …

Jeff Sessions speaks at briefing on leaks

Attorney general considers making it easier to subpoena journalists

August 5, 2017

‘We respect the important role that the press plays, and we’ll give them respect, but it is not unlimited,’ Sessions said. ‘They cannot place lives at risk with impunity.’

Attorney General has repeatedly refused to rule out prosecuting or jailing journalists

August 2, 2017

After the Justice Department indicated it planned on pursuing WikiLeaks and its publisher with criminal charges, Attorney General Jeff Sessions …

The Justice Department and CIA threatens legal action against WikiLeaks for publishing

August 2, 2017

After reports in April 2017 indicated that the Justice Department would seek to prosecute WikiLeaks and its editor Julian Assange …

Donald Trump greets James Comey

Trump reportedly urges FBI director James Comey to jail journalists

August 1, 2017

During an Oval Office meeting in February, President Trump allegedly asked James Comey, then the FBI director, to consider putting …

Category Results

Total Results	6
Journalists affected	3

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.

How we track Equipment Damage

Damage to a journalist’s equipment or property, either as the result of a targeted attack by a public or private individual or in the course of their work.