U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
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Protester about to smash Mike Kessler's camera at Berkeley
  • Equipment Search, Seizure, or Damage

Reporter Mike Kessler’s camera is smashed in Berkeley

August 27, 2017

Mike Kessler was covering a demonstration in Berkeley, California, when a group of protesters stole his camera and phone and …

Screengrab from Nathan Hope video
  • Equipment Search, Seizure, or Damage

Documentary production assistant has phone knocked out of hands by protesters

August 27, 2017

An unidentified protester ordered freelance production assistant Nathan Hope to stop filming and knocked a phone out of his hands …

Screengrab from KTVU video of Leigh Martinez assault
  • Physical Attack

KTVU reporter assaulted while covering protest in Berkeley

August 27, 2017

Leigh Martinez, a freelance reporter for KTVU, was covering an anti-fascist protest in Berkeley, California, on August 27, 2017, when …

Screenshot of Ruptly livestream showing Nathan Stolman wrapped in anti-fascist banner
  • Physical Attack
  • Equipment Search, Seizure, or Damage

Protesters attack independent livestreamer in San Francisco, steal his phone

August 26, 2017

Nathan Stolpman — an independent journalist who runs the YouTube channel Lift the Veil Too — was attacked and had his phone …

Injured CBS 6 photojournalist
  • Physical Attack

CBS 6 photojournalist attacked with stick while filming anti-fascist march

August 13, 2017

A CBS 6 photojournalist had to be taken to the emergency room after he was struck in the back of …

Screen shot from WLOS live-stream of demonstration
  • Physical Attack

TV reporter assaulted while covering protest in North Carolina

August 13, 2017

A reporter for local North Carolina TV station WLOS was assaulted while live-streaming a peaceful anti-racist demonstration in Asheville, North …

Taylor Lorenz
  • Physical Attack

Journalist Taylor Lorenz punched while filming aftermath of fatal attack

August 12, 2017

Taylor Lorenz, a journalist for The Hill, was punched in the side of the head while live-streaming the aftermath of …

Photo of 'Die Fascist Scum' graffiti
  • Physical Attack

Chicago Sun-Times reporter punched while covering inauguration protest

January 20, 2017

Chicago Sun-Times reporter Sam Charles was punched in the chest while covering an anti-Trump protest in Chicago on the day …

Data Summary

Total Results 8
Results in 2017 8

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 or intentionally damaged in the course of their work. 

How we track Physical Attacks

Journalists who face physical violence or injury 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.

All Categories

  • Arrest / Criminal Charge
  • Border Stop
  • Chilling Statement
  • Denial of Access
  • Other Incident
  • Equipment Search, Seizure, or Damage
  • Leak Case
  • Physical Attack
  • Subpoena / Legal Order

U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is led by the Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Committee to Protect Journalists, in collaboration with leading press freedom groups.

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