CBP officer withholds journalist’s passport until he agrees to say he writes 'propaganda'
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Dulles, Virginia
- Targets
- Ben Watson (Defense One)
Border Stop
Data Tracked For This Category
Journalists stopped at the border and subjected to secondary screening, which can include prolonged or invasive questioning about their journalistic work, electronic device searches or demands for device 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.
Recent Incidents
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BBC journalist questioned by border official, passport reviewed
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Brownsville, Texas
- Targets
- Stephanie Hegarty (BBC News)
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CBC National correspondent denied entry into United States
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Targets
- Carolyn Dunn (Canadian Broadcasting Company)
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CBP agent asks British journalist entering U.S. if he’s part of the ‘fake news media’
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Targets
- James Dyer (Empire Magazine)
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Independent photographer stopped for secondary screening, devices seized
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan
- Targets
- Tim Stegmaier
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Freelance reporter stopped while crossing border; passport card photographed
- Date of Incident
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Targets
- Nate Abaurrea
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Rolling Stone journalist stopped for secondary screening, has electronics searched while asked invasive questions about reporting
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Targets
- Seth Harp (Rolling Stone)
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Journalist stopped at the border for the third time, questioned about his work and FOIA request
- Date of Incident
- Location
- Miami, Florida
- Targets
- Manuel Rapalo