Kirstin McCudden
@kamccudden.bsky.social
Chief of Editorial for @freedom.press, Managing Editor for @pressfreedomtracker.us, documenting aggressions against journalists in the US. Also a journalist: frmrly St. Pete, ATX, KC, Geneva, now NYC. J-School: Mizzou x2. Puppers: That's Aoife_the_pomapoo
A January wrap up of the state of press freedom in the U.S. Was filmed <> Wednesday, and January kept going for aggressions against the press, didn't it, eh ? Find those as we document them @pressfreedomtracker.us
From assaults at protests to a raid at a reporter’s home, plus a prior restraint in Las Vegas — a month into 2026, journalists are facing a landscape of aggressions.
Watch our Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: pressfreedomtracker.us/newsletter
Watch our Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: pressfreedomtracker.us/newsletter
February 2, 2026 at 3:08 PM
A January wrap up of the state of press freedom in the U.S. Was filmed <> Wednesday, and January kept going for aggressions against the press, didn't it, eh ? Find those as we document them @pressfreedomtracker.us
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
The raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com’s @hannahnatanson.bsky.social is a reminder journalists need to be vigilant.
We can’t stop government overreach — but we can help you secure yourself digitally.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social share tips that can make a real difference for journalists.
We can’t stop government overreach — but we can help you secure yourself digitally.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social share tips that can make a real difference for journalists.
January 23, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com’s @hannahnatanson.bsky.social is a reminder journalists need to be vigilant.
We can’t stop government overreach — but we can help you secure yourself digitally.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social share tips that can make a real difference for journalists.
We can’t stop government overreach — but we can help you secure yourself digitally.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social share tips that can make a real difference for journalists.
A much-needed discussion and I'll be bringing context from the @uspresstracker.bsky.social database:
🗣 “Journalists envision a future in which mental health care is not a privilege, but a professional necessity.”
➡️ Learn about our Survey findings
🗓 Jan 22, 1:00 PM ET | 📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@VitaActivaOrg
#MentalHealthMatters #JournalismCare #ResilientNewsrooms #MediaFuture
➡️ Learn about our Survey findings
🗓 Jan 22, 1:00 PM ET | 📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@VitaActivaOrg
#MentalHealthMatters #JournalismCare #ResilientNewsrooms #MediaFuture
January 21, 2026 at 6:44 PM
A much-needed discussion and I'll be bringing context from the @uspresstracker.bsky.social database:
One year from Trump's second inauguration and, with it, a list of a "constant barrage of norm-breaking aggressions against the press" as documented by @uspresstracker.bsky.social
🧵 Year 1 of Trump 2.0 has brought a constant barrage of norm-breaking aggressions against the press — from tightened access and investigations to lawsuits — aimed at those who dare to report unfavorably on the administration.
January 20, 2026 at 5:41 PM
One year from Trump's second inauguration and, with it, a list of a "constant barrage of norm-breaking aggressions against the press" as documented by @uspresstracker.bsky.social
Incredible effort by the team in those early days of 2021 to gather all assaults of journalists covering the Capitol attack and damage to their equipment, and in the years following to closely track charges brought against individuals who harmed reporters/photographers covering the news that day —
Five years ago today, 18 journalists were assaulted while covering the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, @pressfreedomtracker.us reported.
On Jan. 20, 2025 — the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term — nearly everyone charged in connection with those assaults was pardoned.
On Jan. 20, 2025 — the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term — nearly everyone charged in connection with those assaults was pardoned.
Charges — and punishments — for J6 rioters who hurt journalists, damaged news equipment
While documenting the large mob in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, photographer John Minchillo was grabbed …
pressfreedomtracker.us
January 6, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Incredible effort by the team in those early days of 2021 to gather all assaults of journalists covering the Capitol attack and damage to their equipment, and in the years following to closely track charges brought against individuals who harmed reporters/photographers covering the news that day —
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
Newsrooms: We've made a lot of changes to our guide to confidential tip pages. The biggest change — informed by our research into common channels — is that we've actually cut WhatsApp from the list and added web forms. Check it out. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Security considerations for confidential tip pages
News organizations should take a few steps to improve the security and efficacy of their confidential tip pages.
freedom.press
January 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Newsrooms: We've made a lot of changes to our guide to confidential tip pages. The biggest change — informed by our research into common channels — is that we've actually cut WhatsApp from the list and added web forms. Check it out. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
In which I link 'Jurassic Park' dinosaurs and the state of press freedom in the US
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 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
In which I link 'Jurassic Park' dinosaurs and the state of press freedom in the US
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
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.
The Tracker's 2025 arrest report now live
December 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The Tracker's 2025 arrest report now live
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
More assaults of journalists this year than the last two years combined, our interview with deported journalist Mario Guevara, and more in this month’s Tracker newsletter by managing editor @kamccudden.bsky.social:
‘They see the media as the enemy.’ A lesson from a deported journalist
Dear Friend of Press Freedom,I’m starting this month with a roundup of notable incidents and updates — and there have …
pressfreedomtracker.us
October 30, 2025 at 8:35 PM
More assaults of journalists this year than the last two years combined, our interview with deported journalist Mario Guevara, and more in this month’s Tracker newsletter by managing editor @kamccudden.bsky.social:
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
Since becoming president-elect, Trump has sued @nytimes.com , @wsj.com and more.
At the same time, his administration is tightening access — the press now faces new Pentagon rules.
Plus, journalist Mario Guevara has spent 100-plus days in ICE custody.
Watch @kamccudden.bsky.social explain.
At the same time, his administration is tightening access — the press now faces new Pentagon rules.
Plus, journalist Mario Guevara has spent 100-plus days in ICE custody.
Watch @kamccudden.bsky.social explain.
September 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Since becoming president-elect, Trump has sued @nytimes.com , @wsj.com and more.
At the same time, his administration is tightening access — the press now faces new Pentagon rules.
Plus, journalist Mario Guevara has spent 100-plus days in ICE custody.
Watch @kamccudden.bsky.social explain.
At the same time, his administration is tightening access — the press now faces new Pentagon rules.
Plus, journalist Mario Guevara has spent 100-plus days in ICE custody.
Watch @kamccudden.bsky.social explain.
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
We working on verifying and documenting reports of multiple journalists assaulted, arrested and other press freedom violations while they covered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in and around Chicago recently.
Here's what we're tracking so far:
Here's what we're tracking so far:
September 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We working on verifying and documenting reports of multiple journalists assaulted, arrested and other press freedom violations while they covered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in and around Chicago recently.
Here's what we're tracking so far:
Here's what we're tracking so far:
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
The Trump administration has given a whole new meaning to "Kitchen Confidential."
Here's @freedom.press top 5 dumbest things the government has done, or kept secret, ostensibly to protect national security
(with an evergreen example from @nsarchive.bsky.social)
Here's @freedom.press top 5 dumbest things the government has done, or kept secret, ostensibly to protect national security
(with an evergreen example from @nsarchive.bsky.social)
Your kitchen cabinets are a national security threat
The dumbest things the government has done, or hidden, in the name of national security
freedom.press
September 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Trump administration has given a whole new meaning to "Kitchen Confidential."
Here's @freedom.press top 5 dumbest things the government has done, or kept secret, ostensibly to protect national security
(with an evergreen example from @nsarchive.bsky.social)
Here's @freedom.press top 5 dumbest things the government has done, or kept secret, ostensibly to protect national security
(with an evergreen example from @nsarchive.bsky.social)
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
Join us for a panel discussion exploring ideas to defend journalists and press freedom in Gaza, co-sponsored by @freedom.press and Columbia Journalism School.
📌 @columbiajournalism.bsky.social, NYC
🗓️ Thursday, 6-8 pm ET
RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-ide...
And save the link to watch live ⬇️
📌 @columbiajournalism.bsky.social, NYC
🗓️ Thursday, 6-8 pm ET
RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-ide...
And save the link to watch live ⬇️
Urgent Ideas for Defending Press Freedom in Gaza
YouTube video by Columbia Journalism School
www.youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Join us for a panel discussion exploring ideas to defend journalists and press freedom in Gaza, co-sponsored by @freedom.press and Columbia Journalism School.
📌 @columbiajournalism.bsky.social, NYC
🗓️ Thursday, 6-8 pm ET
RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-ide...
And save the link to watch live ⬇️
📌 @columbiajournalism.bsky.social, NYC
🗓️ Thursday, 6-8 pm ET
RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-ide...
And save the link to watch live ⬇️
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
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
September 11, 2025 at 3:00 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
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
More journalists have already been assaulted in the U.S. this year than in all of 2024 — most while covering anti-immigration protests. We're tracking every case.
Watch Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain and subscribe to our newsletter for more: pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-...
Watch Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain and subscribe to our newsletter for more: pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-...
August 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
More journalists have already been assaulted in the U.S. this year than in all of 2024 — most while covering anti-immigration protests. We're tracking every case.
Watch Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain and subscribe to our newsletter for more: pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-...
Watch Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain and subscribe to our newsletter for more: pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-...
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
In 2021, I made a slideshow based on 50+ incidents of police misconduct toward journalists. It covered all California over a 12 month period. The legislature responded with new laws to protect press.
I just made a new one. It's bigger. It's worse. And it's just one week in Los Angeles.
I just made a new one. It's bigger. It's worse. And it's just one week in Los Angeles.
Police Treatment Of Journalists In LA, June 2025
WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES AND VIDEO Photo of LAPD skirmish line brandishing “less lethal” munitions. Courtesy Ringo Chiu.
docs.google.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:16 PM
In 2021, I made a slideshow based on 50+ incidents of police misconduct toward journalists. It covered all California over a 12 month period. The legislature responded with new laws to protect press.
I just made a new one. It's bigger. It's worse. And it's just one week in Los Angeles.
I just made a new one. It's bigger. It's worse. And it's just one week in Los Angeles.
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
Los Angeles immigration raids protests began a week ago on June 6. The @pressfreedomtracker.us is investigating:
- 32 assaults on journalists
- 6 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 4 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
- 32 assaults on journalists
- 6 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 4 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
June 13, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Los Angeles immigration raids protests began a week ago on June 6. The @pressfreedomtracker.us is investigating:
- 32 assaults on journalists
- 6 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 4 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
- 32 assaults on journalists
- 6 detainments/arrests of journalists
- 4 equipment damages
- 2 equipment searches/seizures
View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
We track press freedom violations in the United States here: pressfreedomtracker.us
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a project that aims to comprehensively document press freedom incidents in the United States — such as the arrests of journalists, seizures of their equipment, interr...
pressfreedomtracker.us
June 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
We track press freedom violations in the United States here: pressfreedomtracker.us
Here’s what we’ve been able to verify and report so far (I’m using an ‘immigration’ tag and June 2025 date stamp. You can filter the database by location, date, journalists or news outlet and more)
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
Incident Database
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a database of press freedom incidents in the United States — everything from arrests of journalists and the seizure of their equipment to interrogations at the U.S. b...
pressfreedomtracker.us
June 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Here’s what we’ve been able to verify and report so far (I’m using an ‘immigration’ tag and June 2025 date stamp. You can filter the database by location, date, journalists or news outlet and more)
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
— 7 detainments/arrests of journalists
— 35 + assaults of journalists
— multiple reports of damaged news vehicles
— other incidents, like forced bag searches, tear gassing and harassment
— 35 + assaults of journalists
— multiple reports of damaged news vehicles
— other incidents, like forced bag searches, tear gassing and harassment
June 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
— 7 detainments/arrests of journalists
— 35 + assaults of journalists
— multiple reports of damaged news vehicles
— other incidents, like forced bag searches, tear gassing and harassment
— 35 + assaults of journalists
— multiple reports of damaged news vehicles
— other incidents, like forced bag searches, tear gassing and harassment
1/ Now a week into California protests in response to immigration raids, here’s what we’re working on documenting at the Tracker — At least 50 incidents of violence or other types of aggressions against journalists, mostly by law enforcement, and some targeting of news cars, mostly by individuals:
June 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
1/ Now a week into California protests in response to immigration raids, here’s what we’re working on documenting at the Tracker — At least 50 incidents of violence or other types of aggressions against journalists, mostly by law enforcement, and some targeting of news cars, mostly by individuals:
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
When it comes to combative relationships between presidents and the press, Trump’s social media use sets him apart.
For the past 10 years, and since descending that escalator in June 2015, we’ve cataloged every single anti-press post.
Watch @stephaniesugars.bsky.social explain our latest project.
For the past 10 years, and since descending that escalator in June 2015, we’ve cataloged every single anti-press post.
Watch @stephaniesugars.bsky.social explain our latest project.
Tracking Trump’s anti-press social media posts
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
www.youtube.com
June 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
When it comes to combative relationships between presidents and the press, Trump’s social media use sets him apart.
For the past 10 years, and since descending that escalator in June 2015, we’ve cataloged every single anti-press post.
Watch @stephaniesugars.bsky.social explain our latest project.
For the past 10 years, and since descending that escalator in June 2015, we’ve cataloged every single anti-press post.
Watch @stephaniesugars.bsky.social explain our latest project.
the numbers of assaults — and now a detainment of CNN correspondent and crew — are rapidly changing. as we verify we publish on pressfreedomtracker.us
June 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
the numbers of assaults — and now a detainment of CNN correspondent and crew — are rapidly changing. as we verify we publish on pressfreedomtracker.us
Reposted by Kirstin McCudden
We are actively reporting on multiple attacks against journalists covering protests in LA — including assaults, equipment damage, and other press freedom violations.
June 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We are actively reporting on multiple attacks against journalists covering protests in LA — including assaults, equipment damage, and other press freedom violations.