U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
@pressfreedomtracker.us
The US Press Freedom Tracker is a database that tracks and catalogs press freedom violations in the United States.
A project of @freedom.press.
DM or email tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
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A project of @freedom.press.
DM or email tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Subscribe: freedom.press/newsletters/
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Press arrests used to silence protest coverage in 2025
More than 30 journalists detained, nearly all released without charges or with them quickly dropped
pressfreedomtracker.us
In 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs.
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
December 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
In 2025, journalists in the U.S. have been assaulted, arrested, and targeted with retaliatory lawsuits, covert surveillance and sweeping secrecy measures.
Press freedom is at risk like never before, so we’re fighting back with new strategies.
Join us by donating today: freedom.press/donate
Press freedom is at risk like never before, so we’re fighting back with new strategies.
Join us by donating today: freedom.press/donate
December 23, 2025 at 6:48 PM
In 2025, journalists in the U.S. have been assaulted, arrested, and targeted with retaliatory lawsuits, covert surveillance and sweeping secrecy measures.
Press freedom is at risk like never before, so we’re fighting back with new strategies.
Join us by donating today: freedom.press/donate
Press freedom is at risk like never before, so we’re fighting back with new strategies.
Join us by donating today: freedom.press/donate
North Dakota prosecutors Sept. 30 sought communications and unpublished interview footage from BEK TV. BEK’s attorney called it “a clumsy and inappropriate fishing expedition.”
A judge heard arguments on a motion to quash Dec. 17.
A judge heard arguments on a motion to quash Dec. 17.
North Dakota prosecutors subpoena outlet’s unpublished work product
Prosecutors in Minot, North Dakota, subpoenaed BEK Communications on Sept. 30, 2025, seeking reporting materials tied to BEK TV’s online …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
North Dakota prosecutors Sept. 30 sought communications and unpublished interview footage from BEK TV. BEK’s attorney called it “a clumsy and inappropriate fishing expedition.”
A judge heard arguments on a motion to quash Dec. 17.
A judge heard arguments on a motion to quash Dec. 17.
Update: Man sentenced Dec. 18 to jail time, two years probation and $2,200 in restitution to TV reporter Nathan Espindula for damaging his camera.
The man also harassed Espindula with racial slurs while he was reporting a story in Chico, CA, in September.
The man also harassed Espindula with racial slurs while he was reporting a story in Chico, CA, in September.
TV reporter harassed, camera damaged while reporting in California
KNVN reporter Nathan Espindula’s news camera was damaged when a man harassed him with racial slurs while he was reporting …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Update: Man sentenced Dec. 18 to jail time, two years probation and $2,200 in restitution to TV reporter Nathan Espindula for damaging his camera.
The man also harassed Espindula with racial slurs while he was reporting a story in Chico, CA, in September.
The man also harassed Espindula with racial slurs while he was reporting a story in Chico, CA, in September.
A judge in Eagle, Colorado, on Dec. 17 lifted a gag order on media coverage of a teen murder trial after @vaildaily.bsky.social filed a challenge to the publishing gag imposed a day before.
Colorado judge lifts gag order in teen murder trial
An Eagle, Colorado, judge issued a gag order on Dec. 16, 2025, prohibiting the media from reporting information disclosed in …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A judge in Eagle, Colorado, on Dec. 17 lifted a gag order on media coverage of a teen murder trial after @vaildaily.bsky.social filed a challenge to the publishing gag imposed a day before.
In “Jurassic Park,” velociraptors tested electric fences for weaknesses. In the U.S. in 2025, the fence protecting a free press went down, and the velociraptors came.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social's 2026 @niemanlab.org prediction:
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social's 2026 @niemanlab.org prediction:
The fence is down
"Of the 32 arrests or detainments of journalists in 2025, 28 occurred while they were covering protests."
www.niemanlab.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
In “Jurassic Park,” velociraptors tested electric fences for weaknesses. In the U.S. in 2025, the fence protecting a free press went down, and the velociraptors came.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social's 2026 @niemanlab.org prediction:
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social's 2026 @niemanlab.org prediction:
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
December 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
The University of Alabama closed down student-run outlets Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice magazines on Dec. 1, saying they violated the Trump administration’s guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
University of Alabama shutters 2 student magazines, citing federal DEI guidance
Two student magazines were shut down on Dec. 1, 2025, by the state-run University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, which said …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The University of Alabama closed down student-run outlets Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice magazines on Dec. 1, saying they violated the Trump administration’s guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The findings in our 2025 arrest report "should be viewed as part of a wider assault on independent journalism under the Trump administration," writes Jem Bartholomew.
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Reporting with one hand tied.
A new report documents a hostile environment for US journalists this year, with 32 arrests and 170 assaults.
www.cjr.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The findings in our 2025 arrest report "should be viewed as part of a wider assault on independent journalism under the Trump administration," writes Jem Bartholomew.
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
Over 150 journalists have been assaulted this year — that’s more than the last two years combined.
We’re documenting every violation against the press.
Help power the database tracking attacks on journalists. Donate to the @pressfreedomtracker.us today.
We’re documenting every violation against the press.
Help power the database tracking attacks on journalists. Donate to the @pressfreedomtracker.us today.
December 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Over 150 journalists have been assaulted this year — that’s more than the last two years combined.
We’re documenting every violation against the press.
Help power the database tracking attacks on journalists. Donate to the @pressfreedomtracker.us today.
We’re documenting every violation against the press.
Help power the database tracking attacks on journalists. Donate to the @pressfreedomtracker.us today.
Update: Charges against freelance photojournalist @davedeckerphoto.bsky.social were dismissed Dec. 16.
He was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami last month and held for more than 30 hours.
He was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami last month and held for more than 30 hours.
Photojournalist arrested at Miami immigration protest, gear seized
Freelance photojournalist Dave Decker was arrested by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies while documenting anti-deportation protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Update: Charges against freelance photojournalist @davedeckerphoto.bsky.social were dismissed Dec. 16.
He was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami last month and held for more than 30 hours.
He was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami last month and held for more than 30 hours.
Donald Trump yesterday filed a $10B defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing it of defamation, as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices, over a Jan. 6 insurrection documentary.
BBC previously apologized, but said it was prepared to fight any suit.
BBC previously apologized, but said it was prepared to fight any suit.
Media in the courthouse
As Donald Trump moves back into the White House, the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker will document the lawsuits he files …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Donald Trump yesterday filed a $10B defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing it of defamation, as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices, over a Jan. 6 insurrection documentary.
BBC previously apologized, but said it was prepared to fight any suit.
BBC previously apologized, but said it was prepared to fight any suit.
Photojournalist Jonathan Chang was prevented from bringing his camera into a San Diego federal building on Dec. 5.
He had previously entered without problems to cover the immigration court, but was told the policy had recently changed.
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
He had previously entered without problems to cover the immigration court, but was told the policy had recently changed.
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
December 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Photojournalist Jonathan Chang was prevented from bringing his camera into a San Diego federal building on Dec. 5.
He had previously entered without problems to cover the immigration court, but was told the policy had recently changed.
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
He had previously entered without problems to cover the immigration court, but was told the policy had recently changed.
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
From LA to Chicago, press arrests were used to silence protest coverage across the country in 2025.
Each arrest signaled a shift in how authorities police information and those who gather it.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us's new report by @stephaniesugars.bsky.social:
Each arrest signaled a shift in how authorities police information and those who gather it.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us's new report by @stephaniesugars.bsky.social:
Press arrests used to silence protest coverage in 2025
More than 30 journalists detained, nearly all released without charges or with them quickly dropped
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
From LA to Chicago, press arrests were used to silence protest coverage across the country in 2025.
Each arrest signaled a shift in how authorities police information and those who gather it.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us's new report by @stephaniesugars.bsky.social:
Each arrest signaled a shift in how authorities police information and those who gather it.
Read @pressfreedomtracker.us's new report by @stephaniesugars.bsky.social:
Our 2025 arrest report, which documents 32 arrests or detainments that mostly occurred during protests against immigration policy, shows that "a camera and notepad [are] seen as threats rather than instruments of accountability."
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Reporting with one hand tied.
A new report documents a hostile environment for US journalists this year, with 32 arrests and 170 assaults.
www.cjr.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Our 2025 arrest report, which documents 32 arrests or detainments that mostly occurred during protests against immigration policy, shows that "a camera and notepad [are] seen as threats rather than instruments of accountability."
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
Read more in @columjournreview.bsky.social:
In a prominent news leak case, former SC court clerk Mary Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty Dec. 8 to charges including sharing sealed court information with a reporter during the high-profile murder case of lawyer Alex Murdaugh; she had been arrested in May.
South Carolina court clerk pleads guilty to sharing sealed photos with press
Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill, a former court clerk who helped manage the high-profile murder trial of prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh, …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
In a prominent news leak case, former SC court clerk Mary Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty Dec. 8 to charges including sharing sealed court information with a reporter during the high-profile murder case of lawyer Alex Murdaugh; she had been arrested in May.
In 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs.
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Press arrests used to silence protest coverage in 2025
More than 30 journalists detained, nearly all released without charges or with them quickly dropped
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
In 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs.
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
A federal judge on Dec. 8 struck down a Denver Public Schools' subpoena of TV station KUSA.
He ruled the communications it sought with a source could be obtained directly from the source and also cited reporter protections.
He ruled the communications it sought with a source could be obtained directly from the source and also cited reporter protections.
Denver schools subpoena TV station for reporting materials
TV station KUSA received a subpoena from the Denver, Colorado, school district on Aug. 11, 2025, seeking communications it had …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A federal judge on Dec. 8 struck down a Denver Public Schools' subpoena of TV station KUSA.
He ruled the communications it sought with a source could be obtained directly from the source and also cited reporter protections.
He ruled the communications it sought with a source could be obtained directly from the source and also cited reporter protections.
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
President Trump accused the @nytimes.com of sedition, even treason, for its reporting on his health, in a pair of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
He also labeled the newspaper and others “true Enemies of the People,” and called for “something” to be done.
He also labeled the newspaper and others “true Enemies of the People,” and called for “something” to be done.
Trump, his administration move to punish outlets during second term
From the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term, he and his administration have taken steps to punish and …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
President Trump accused the @nytimes.com of sedition, even treason, for its reporting on his health, in a pair of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
He also labeled the newspaper and others “true Enemies of the People,” and called for “something” to be done.
He also labeled the newspaper and others “true Enemies of the People,” and called for “something” to be done.
Update: Editor Derek Myers settled and dismissed his federal lawsuit Dec. 5 against Pike County, Ohio, officials for alleged constitutional violations stemming from his 2022 arrest and equipment seizure after he published audio of witness testimony from murder trial.
Editor’s laptop, cellphone seized following publication of courtroom recording
An Ohio judge authorized the search and seizure of a laptop belonging to the Scioto Valley Guardian on Oct. 28, …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Update: Editor Derek Myers settled and dismissed his federal lawsuit Dec. 5 against Pike County, Ohio, officials for alleged constitutional violations stemming from his 2022 arrest and equipment seizure after he published audio of witness testimony from murder trial.
Independent journalist Jarom Smith, who runs the Lyon County Observer in Kansas, took two photos at an old police shooting range on the outskirts of Emporia, KS, in Oct.
Weeks later, authorities issued a search warrant for records related to his outlet’s Facebook's account.
Weeks later, authorities issued a search warrant for records related to his outlet’s Facebook's account.
Kansas journalist hit with search warrant after photographing police range
Independent journalist Jarom Smith is under investigation for trespassing after photographing an old police shooting range on the outskirts of …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Independent journalist Jarom Smith, who runs the Lyon County Observer in Kansas, took two photos at an old police shooting range on the outskirts of Emporia, KS, in Oct.
Weeks later, authorities issued a search warrant for records related to his outlet’s Facebook's account.
Weeks later, authorities issued a search warrant for records related to his outlet’s Facebook's account.
Independent photojournalist and documentarian Avery Craig was grabbed by New York City police, slammed into a wall and placed under arrest while documenting protests attempting to block federal officers from conducting an immigration raid on Nov. 29.
Photojournalist slammed against wall, arrested amid NYC protest
Independent photojournalist and documentarian Avery Craig was assaulted and arrested by police while documenting immigration protests in New York, New …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 4, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Independent photojournalist and documentarian Avery Craig was grabbed by New York City police, slammed into a wall and placed under arrest while documenting protests attempting to block federal officers from conducting an immigration raid on Nov. 29.
Update: @nytimes.com sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Department today in federal court over new press credentialing policy that mandates reporters get approval for releasing even unclassified information.
Pete Hegseth restricts journalists’ access inside Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced new restrictions on journalists’ access while inside the Pentagon complex in Arlington, Virginia, on May …
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Update: @nytimes.com sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Department today in federal court over new press credentialing policy that mandates reporters get approval for releasing even unclassified information.
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us