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.
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A project of @freedom.press.
DM or email [email protected]
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:
Update: A judge declared a mistrial Jan. 9 for the Colorado man who attacked a TV reporter for KKCO/KJCT after demanding to know his nationality, and ordered further evaluation of his competency to stand trial.
Colorado TV reporter tackled, choked outside station in apparent bias attack
Ja’Ronn Alex, a news reporter for KKCO/KJCT, was tackled and choked outside the Grand Junction, Colorado, TV station on Dec. …
pressfreedomtracker.us
January 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Update: A judge declared a mistrial Jan. 9 for the Colorado man who attacked a TV reporter for KKCO/KJCT after demanding to know his nationality, and ordered further evaluation of his competency to stand trial.
The University of Maryland on Dec. 18 declined to drop misconduct charges against two journalists from the school’s independent Muslim student newspaper, Al-Hikmah.
University of Maryland student journalist detained while covering protest
Riona Sheikh, editor-in-chief of Al-Hikmah, the University of Maryland’s independent Muslim student newspaper, was detained on Oct. 21, 2025, while …
pressfreedomtracker.us
January 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The University of Maryland on Dec. 18 declined to drop misconduct charges against two journalists from the school’s independent Muslim student newspaper, Al-Hikmah.
While filming a KRIS-TV story on homelessness in Corpus Christi, TX, on Dec. 17, station videographer Andrew Bishop was punched in the head and neck by a woman.
TV videographer punched in head by woman while filming in Texas
KRIS-TV videographer Andrew Bishop was hit in the back of the head by a woman while reporting on homeless issues …
pressfreedomtracker.us
January 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM
While filming a KRIS-TV story on homelessness in Corpus Christi, TX, on Dec. 17, station videographer Andrew Bishop was punched in the head and neck by a woman.
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
Journalists are often trained to avoid becoming part of the story. But when you can’t tell the story, you ARE the story!
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked or seriously threatened in the course of reporting, let us know.
Email us at [email protected]
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked or seriously threatened in the course of reporting, let us know.
Email us at [email protected]
January 7, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Journalists are often trained to avoid becoming part of the story. But when you can’t tell the story, you ARE the story!
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked or seriously threatened in the course of reporting, let us know.
Email us at [email protected]
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked or seriously threatened in the course of reporting, let us know.
Email us at [email protected]
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
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 —
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 7:57 PM
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.
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
Journalists who experience press freedom abuses should speak out and document the incidents on social media, in their publications, and via the @pressfreedomtracker.us, @adamrose.bsky.social told @joelsimonsays.bsky.social.
The battle for press freedom in the streets.
New York media outlets are being proactive about defending their rights as they anticipate the deployment of federal law enforcement.
www.cjr.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Journalists who experience press freedom abuses should speak out and document the incidents on social media, in their publications, and via the @pressfreedomtracker.us, @adamrose.bsky.social told @joelsimonsays.bsky.social.
Reposted by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
At least 30 journalists were arrested or detained in 2025, and over 160 were assaulted.
in 2026, help @pressfreedomtracker.us defend journalists and document abuses by donating today:
in 2026, help @pressfreedomtracker.us defend journalists and document abuses by donating today:
Donate to Freedom of the Press Foundation
Support Freedom of the Press Foundation by donating today.
freedom.press
January 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM
At least 30 journalists were arrested or detained in 2025, and over 160 were assaulted.
in 2026, help @pressfreedomtracker.us defend journalists and document abuses by donating today:
in 2026, help @pressfreedomtracker.us defend journalists and document abuses by donating today:
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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
January 1, 2026 at 6:10 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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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.