Arrest / Criminal Charge

5 journalists currently face criminal charges
In 2017, 6 journalists were arrested at the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota
9 journalists were arrested while covering protests against Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.
In September and October, 10 journalists were arrested while covering protest marches in St. Louis, Missouri

Data Summary

Total cases	40
Arrests in 2018	3
Arrests in 2017	34

Photojournalist Michael Nigro arrested while covering protest in Missouri

June 11, 2018

Michael Nigro, a freelance photojournalist on assignment for Truthdig, was arrested while covering a Poor People’s Campaign demonstration in Jefferson …

Journalist Manuel Duran, arrested while covering immigration protest, could be deported by ICE

April 3, 2018

Duran is currently being held in an immigration detention facility in Louisiana.

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 …

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, …

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 …

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.

More Incidents

Results Summary

Total Results	40
Journalists affected	39
Results in 2018	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.