Seth Stern
@seth-stern.bsky.social
Director of Advocacy @freedom.press
Reposted by Seth Stern
The U.S. Virgin Islands always deserve transparency but especially when they're at the center of national news like the Epstein case.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
A journalist’s campaign to fix public records law in the U.S. Virgin Islands
If journalists don’t advocate for their own rights, who will?
freedom.press
February 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
The U.S. Virgin Islands always deserve transparency but especially when they're at the center of national news like the Epstein case.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Thanks for your support @freedom.press. Journalists must pushback against any attempts by those in power - locally & nationally - to stifle the media because every time they succeed, it emboldens others to follow suit, which can lead to the dismantling of democracy & a government-controlled media.
The U.S. Virgin Islands always deserve transparency but especially when they're at the center of national news like the Epstein case.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
We spoke to journalist @shirleysmithvi.bsky.social about her efforts to fix the territory's archaic public records laws.
A journalist’s campaign to fix public records law in the U.S. Virgin Islands
If journalists don’t advocate for their own rights, who will?
freedom.press
February 6, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Thanks for your support @freedom.press. Journalists must pushback against any attempts by those in power - locally & nationally - to stifle the media because every time they succeed, it emboldens others to follow suit, which can lead to the dismantling of democracy & a government-controlled media.
Reposted by Seth Stern
An ICE official told a judge that showing his face would put his life in danger. Turns out his face was on his LinkedIn profile.
It's a "clear example" of the false pretexts used to shield officials from accountability, FPF's Seth Stern writes in @theintercept.com.
It's a "clear example" of the false pretexts used to shield officials from accountability, FPF's Seth Stern writes in @theintercept.com.
Judge Censored an ICE Agent’s Face Over “Threats.” His Info Was a Google Search Away.
After a judge agreed to keep an ICE agent’s face out of the court record, a simple internet search revealed his name and location.
theintercept.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:56 PM
An ICE official told a judge that showing his face would put his life in danger. Turns out his face was on his LinkedIn profile.
It's a "clear example" of the false pretexts used to shield officials from accountability, FPF's Seth Stern writes in @theintercept.com.
It's a "clear example" of the false pretexts used to shield officials from accountability, FPF's Seth Stern writes in @theintercept.com.
Reposted by Seth Stern
DHS calls whistleblowers a “threat to national security.”
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know that ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building mass surveillance tools with Big Tech, or pushing propaganda.
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know that ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building mass surveillance tools with Big Tech, or pushing propaganda.
DHS calls leaks a threat. Here’s what we wouldn’t know without them
Recent leaks have exposed DHS’s warrantless home invasions, targeting of protesters, surveillance overreach, and propaganda campaigns
freedom.press
February 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
DHS calls whistleblowers a “threat to national security.”
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know that ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building mass surveillance tools with Big Tech, or pushing propaganda.
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know that ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building mass surveillance tools with Big Tech, or pushing propaganda.
Isn't Noem's post about leaks kind of...a leak?
Don't think prosecutors are into gov officials giving heads ups about criminal referrals.
Of course the administration only opposes leaks that expose its corruption and incompetence. They're all for leaks that get them a few social media likes.
Don't think prosecutors are into gov officials giving heads ups about criminal referrals.
Of course the administration only opposes leaks that expose its corruption and incompetence. They're all for leaks that get them a few social media likes.
Kristi Noem says she found a source of major DHS leaks
Noem has previously said those found leaking information could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
www.newsweek.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Isn't Noem's post about leaks kind of...a leak?
Don't think prosecutors are into gov officials giving heads ups about criminal referrals.
Of course the administration only opposes leaks that expose its corruption and incompetence. They're all for leaks that get them a few social media likes.
Don't think prosecutors are into gov officials giving heads ups about criminal referrals.
Of course the administration only opposes leaks that expose its corruption and incompetence. They're all for leaks that get them a few social media likes.
Reposted by Seth Stern
The #FirstAmendment is under attack.
Legacy media needs to advocate for #PressFreedom
A local PA newspaper is being sued by a US House Rep for an *Opinion* piece:
"satisfies the constitutional actual-malice standard"
(Ken Cuccinelli of Project 2025 filed)
+DonLemon & GeorgiaFort
+Natanson / WaPo
Legacy media needs to advocate for #PressFreedom
A local PA newspaper is being sued by a US House Rep for an *Opinion* piece:
"satisfies the constitutional actual-malice standard"
(Ken Cuccinelli of Project 2025 filed)
+DonLemon & GeorgiaFort
+Natanson / WaPo
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) sues his hometown paper (my employer, LNP | LancasterOnline) for defamation, arguing an editorial that described his + other GOPers' arguments last fall that Dems wanted to fund health care for illegal immigrants were a "lie."
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
smucker-lawsuit-020226
www.documentcloud.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The #FirstAmendment is under attack.
Legacy media needs to advocate for #PressFreedom
A local PA newspaper is being sued by a US House Rep for an *Opinion* piece:
"satisfies the constitutional actual-malice standard"
(Ken Cuccinelli of Project 2025 filed)
+DonLemon & GeorgiaFort
+Natanson / WaPo
Legacy media needs to advocate for #PressFreedom
A local PA newspaper is being sued by a US House Rep for an *Opinion* piece:
"satisfies the constitutional actual-malice standard"
(Ken Cuccinelli of Project 2025 filed)
+DonLemon & GeorgiaFort
+Natanson / WaPo
Reposted by Seth Stern
The charges against @donlemonofficial.bsky.social and @bygeorgiafort.bsky.social “are absolutely frivolous,” FPF’s Seth Stern tells CNN’s Victor Blackwell.
Trump’s point “is not to win. The point is to intimidate and chill lawful newsgathering.”
Trump’s point “is not to win. The point is to intimidate and chill lawful newsgathering.”
January 31, 2026 at 6:44 PM
The charges against @donlemonofficial.bsky.social and @bygeorgiafort.bsky.social “are absolutely frivolous,” FPF’s Seth Stern tells CNN’s Victor Blackwell.
Trump’s point “is not to win. The point is to intimidate and chill lawful newsgathering.”
Trump’s point “is not to win. The point is to intimidate and chill lawful newsgathering.”
Reposted by Seth Stern
🔴 The arrest of Don Lemon is blatant censorship. And he is not the only one: Thursday’s arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort demonstrate the administration’s lawless crusade against routine journalism
Read FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social's op-ed in the @us.theguardian.com.
Read FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social's op-ed in the @us.theguardian.com.
The arrest of Don Lemon is blatant censorship. And he is not the only one | Seth Stern
Thursday’s arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort demonstrate the administration’s lawless crusade against routine journalism
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:09 PM
🔴 The arrest of Don Lemon is blatant censorship. And he is not the only one: Thursday’s arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort demonstrate the administration’s lawless crusade against routine journalism
Read FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social's op-ed in the @us.theguardian.com.
Read FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social's op-ed in the @us.theguardian.com.
Reposted by Seth Stern
The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are blatant censorship. And they are not the only ones.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#PressFreedom
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#PressFreedom
The arrest of Don Lemon is blatant censorship. And he is not the only one | Seth Stern
Thursday’s arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort demonstrate the administration’s lawless crusade against routine journalism
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:44 PM
The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are blatant censorship. And they are not the only ones.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#PressFreedom
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#PressFreedom
Reposted by Seth Stern
From @freedom.press' @seth-stern.bsky.social: The "arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are naked attacks on freedom of the press. Two federal courts flatly rejected" prosecuting them for reporting, and "instead of accepting that humiliating defeat, the government has now doubled down"
January 30, 2026 at 2:55 PM
From @freedom.press' @seth-stern.bsky.social: The "arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are naked attacks on freedom of the press. Two federal courts flatly rejected" prosecuting them for reporting, and "instead of accepting that humiliating defeat, the government has now doubled down"
Reposted by Seth Stern
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
January 29, 2026 at 8:39 PM
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
Reposted by Seth Stern
A Nevada judge entered two illegal gag orders against journalists in just over a week.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social wrote for @reviewjournal.com that any first year law student could have recognized the unconstitutionality of Judge Jessica Peterson's ridiculous rulings.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social wrote for @reviewjournal.com that any first year law student could have recognized the unconstitutionality of Judge Jessica Peterson's ridiculous rulings.
COMMENTARY: Judicial overreach
Clark County judge mangles the First Amendment.
www.reviewjournal.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:03 PM
A Nevada judge entered two illegal gag orders against journalists in just over a week.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social wrote for @reviewjournal.com that any first year law student could have recognized the unconstitutionality of Judge Jessica Peterson's ridiculous rulings.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social wrote for @reviewjournal.com that any first year law student could have recognized the unconstitutionality of Judge Jessica Peterson's ridiculous rulings.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Journalists headed to Minneapolis:
I checked in with @acatwithnews.bsky.social who's on the ground. Good tips. 👇
A) Brace for EXTREME cold. Sean's from Milwaulkee. Even he called it "WTF level of cold."
B) Chemical spray may render gear unusable. Destroyed his mittens, which are vital.
🧵 1/5
I checked in with @acatwithnews.bsky.social who's on the ground. Good tips. 👇
A) Brace for EXTREME cold. Sean's from Milwaulkee. Even he called it "WTF level of cold."
B) Chemical spray may render gear unusable. Destroyed his mittens, which are vital.
🧵 1/5
Minneapolis, MN -
I got absolutely covered in spray. Really grateful to some protesters who have helped remove the dousing all over one of my jackets, face and camera. Regardless of how you feel about the protests, these people are incredibly kind.
I got absolutely covered in spray. Really grateful to some protesters who have helped remove the dousing all over one of my jackets, face and camera. Regardless of how you feel about the protests, these people are incredibly kind.
January 25, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Journalists headed to Minneapolis:
I checked in with @acatwithnews.bsky.social who's on the ground. Good tips. 👇
A) Brace for EXTREME cold. Sean's from Milwaulkee. Even he called it "WTF level of cold."
B) Chemical spray may render gear unusable. Destroyed his mittens, which are vital.
🧵 1/5
I checked in with @acatwithnews.bsky.social who's on the ground. Good tips. 👇
A) Brace for EXTREME cold. Sean's from Milwaulkee. Even he called it "WTF level of cold."
B) Chemical spray may render gear unusable. Destroyed his mittens, which are vital.
🧵 1/5
Reposted by Seth Stern
I'm looking for witnesses/victims of DHS retaliation against people recording their agents (ICE, Border Patrol, FPS, etc) in North Carolina.
I focus on press, but victims do NOT need to be a journalist. Everyone has right to record.
Our friends @aclunc.bsky.social would also love to hear from you:
I focus on press, but victims do NOT need to be a journalist. Everyone has right to record.
Our friends @aclunc.bsky.social would also love to hear from you:
This Survey does not give legal advice, and you should not rely on it as legal advice. You should not rely on the information you get from this site and should speak with a lawyer to get advice on your specific situation. We also cannot promise that the information on this site is complete, accurate, or up-to-date.
acluofnorthcarolina.cliogrow.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I'm looking for witnesses/victims of DHS retaliation against people recording their agents (ICE, Border Patrol, FPS, etc) in North Carolina.
I focus on press, but victims do NOT need to be a journalist. Everyone has right to record.
Our friends @aclunc.bsky.social would also love to hear from you:
I focus on press, but victims do NOT need to be a journalist. Everyone has right to record.
Our friends @aclunc.bsky.social would also love to hear from you:
Reposted by Seth Stern
"Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds."
And another declaration from a medical doctor who was on scene and attempted to treat the man who was shot. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
#109 in Tincher v. Noem (D. Minnesota, 0:25-cv-04669) – CourtListener.com
DECLARATION of Witness No. 2 re 108 Declaration in Support by John Biestman, Alan Crenshaw, Janet Lee, Abdikadir Noor, Susan Tincher, Lucia Webb . (Fisher, Caitlinrose) (Entered: 01/24/2026)
storage.courtlistener.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:10 AM
"Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds."
Reposted by Seth Stern
This is Minneapolis.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
January 25, 2026 at 2:46 AM
This is Minneapolis.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Filming ICE is an act of journalism. Cell phone footage is vital source material for reporters who can’t be everywhere at once.
Shooting, killing and other targeting of those documenting news is an attack on press freedom and all else that's good in the world.
Shooting, killing and other targeting of those documenting news is an attack on press freedom and all else that's good in the world.
Videos show federal agents killing Minneapolis man
Some details of federal government’s account of the shooting aren’t supported by footage captured by bystanders.
www.startribune.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Filming ICE is an act of journalism. Cell phone footage is vital source material for reporters who can’t be everywhere at once.
Shooting, killing and other targeting of those documenting news is an attack on press freedom and all else that's good in the world.
Shooting, killing and other targeting of those documenting news is an attack on press freedom and all else that's good in the world.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Brutal contrast exposed by @oliverdarcy.bsky.social tonight in @status.news ...
Israel killed a journalist who worked for both CBS and AFP.
Only one of those outlets immediately spoke out.
Hint: Not the one run by Bari Weiss.
Israel killed a journalist who worked for both CBS and AFP.
Only one of those outlets immediately spoke out.
Hint: Not the one run by Bari Weiss.
January 23, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Brutal contrast exposed by @oliverdarcy.bsky.social tonight in @status.news ...
Israel killed a journalist who worked for both CBS and AFP.
Only one of those outlets immediately spoke out.
Hint: Not the one run by Bari Weiss.
Israel killed a journalist who worked for both CBS and AFP.
Only one of those outlets immediately spoke out.
Hint: Not the one run by Bari Weiss.
Reposted by Seth Stern
We've gotten a lot of questions from journalists worried about raids after what happened to the WaPo reporter.
We can't stop the Trump admin from illegally seizing your devices, but here are 3 easy tips to mitigate the damage and protect your sources:
We can't stop the Trump admin from illegally seizing your devices, but here are 3 easy tips to mitigate the damage and protect your sources:
January 23, 2026 at 6:19 PM
We've gotten a lot of questions from journalists worried about raids after what happened to the WaPo reporter.
We can't stop the Trump admin from illegally seizing your devices, but here are 3 easy tips to mitigate the damage and protect your sources:
We can't stop the Trump admin from illegally seizing your devices, but here are 3 easy tips to mitigate the damage and protect your sources:
Reposted by Seth Stern
The Alabama Solution got an Oscar nod this week for showcasing abuses exposed by incarcerated people recording guards with contraband cell phones.
But as the Academy deliberates, the FCC is muzzling the next exposé. Read Jeremy’s article in partnership with @freedom.press and @theintercept.com
But as the Academy deliberates, the FCC is muzzling the next exposé. Read Jeremy’s article in partnership with @freedom.press and @theintercept.com
The Latest FCC Censorship Push No One Is Talking About Targets Incarcerated People
Brendan Carr is advancing a plan to choke communications for people who use cellphones to expose abuses in prison.
theintercept.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:31 PM
The Alabama Solution got an Oscar nod this week for showcasing abuses exposed by incarcerated people recording guards with contraband cell phones.
But as the Academy deliberates, the FCC is muzzling the next exposé. Read Jeremy’s article in partnership with @freedom.press and @theintercept.com
But as the Academy deliberates, the FCC is muzzling the next exposé. Read Jeremy’s article in partnership with @freedom.press and @theintercept.com
Reposted by Seth Stern
📩 Read in our weekly newsletter (and subscribe):
- Raid of journalist’s home ignores federal law and constitutional freedoms
- What the Maduro ‘extradition’ means for U.S. journalists
- @wikipedia.org's 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
- Plus, what we're reading...
- Raid of journalist’s home ignores federal law and constitutional freedoms
- What the Maduro ‘extradition’ means for U.S. journalists
- @wikipedia.org's 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
- Plus, what we're reading...
Raid of reporter’s home ignores federal law, constitutional freedoms
Don’t forget last week’s alarming intrusion on newsgathering
freedom.press
January 16, 2026 at 10:34 PM
📩 Read in our weekly newsletter (and subscribe):
- Raid of journalist’s home ignores federal law and constitutional freedoms
- What the Maduro ‘extradition’ means for U.S. journalists
- @wikipedia.org's 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
- Plus, what we're reading...
- Raid of journalist’s home ignores federal law and constitutional freedoms
- What the Maduro ‘extradition’ means for U.S. journalists
- @wikipedia.org's 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
- Plus, what we're reading...
Reposted by Seth Stern
Journalist Seth Harp may be subpoenaed, prosecuted, or both for reporting the publicly available online bio of a Delta Force commander involved in the Maduro abduction.
Use our action center to tell Congress this is unconstitutional and inexcusable.
Use our action center to tell Congress this is unconstitutional and inexcusable.
Strengthen the Reporter-Source Privilege
Defending press freedom for the next generation
freedom.press
January 17, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Journalist Seth Harp may be subpoenaed, prosecuted, or both for reporting the publicly available online bio of a Delta Force commander involved in the Maduro abduction.
Use our action center to tell Congress this is unconstitutional and inexcusable.
Use our action center to tell Congress this is unconstitutional and inexcusable.
Reposted by Seth Stern
"The whole idea of searches and seizures isn’t about actually finding information. It’s about intimidating journalists and incriminating them in the eyes of the public," Marion County Record publisher Eric Meyer told FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @chipgibbons.bsky.social.
The FBI’s raid of journalist’s home was the product of decades of backsliding | Seth Stern and Chip Gibbons
The trend of invading newsrooms, in violation of federal law, has now spread to the highest levels of the federal government
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:47 PM
"The whole idea of searches and seizures isn’t about actually finding information. It’s about intimidating journalists and incriminating them in the eyes of the public," Marion County Record publisher Eric Meyer told FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @chipgibbons.bsky.social.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Brought to you by the exact same people who spent years whining about alleged bias in government funded media.
Stars and Stripes job applicants are asked if they back Trump policies
People seeking jobs at Stars and Stripes, which Congress guaranteed editorial independence, are being asked how they would advance administration priorities.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Brought to you by the exact same people who spent years whining about alleged bias in government funded media.
Reposted by Seth Stern
Following the raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social on Wednesday, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources.
Safeguarding sources and sensitive information in the event of a raid
Following the search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources
freedom.press
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Following the raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social on Wednesday, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources.