Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
Platforms | Press Freedom | Journalism
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Pinned
Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
· Jul 30
Censorship Whac-A-Mole: Google search exploited to scrub articles on San Francisco tech exec
A novel method of de-indexing websites from search results was used to bury critical reporting and commentary.
freedom.press
In June, I uncovered a Google vulnerability that was exploited to de-index legitimate articles from search.
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Prosecuting whistleblowers under the Espionage Act, surveilling journalists to enable the prosecution of sources, and ultimately prosecuting Assange under the Espionage Act “all created the condition Trump needs to go after the press – not just legally, but in the court of public opinion.”
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 16, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Prosecuting whistleblowers under the Espionage Act, surveilling journalists to enable the prosecution of sources, and ultimately prosecuting Assange under the Espionage Act “all created the condition Trump needs to go after the press – not just legally, but in the court of public opinion.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
📩 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...
Given the admin’s track record, “every implication that a leak to a reporter endangers national security should be seen as suspect, as should their classification claims,” @laurenleharper.bsky.social writes in @theintercept.com.
“More likely, they’re concerned with their own reputational security.”
“More likely, they’re concerned with their own reputational security.”
FBI Raid on WaPo Reporter’s Home Was Based on Sham Pretext
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to rescind rules protecting journalists are being used as a cudgel to attack the First Amendment.
theintercept.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Given the admin’s track record, “every implication that a leak to a reporter endangers national security should be seen as suspect, as should their classification claims,” @laurenleharper.bsky.social writes in @theintercept.com.
“More likely, they’re concerned with their own reputational security.”
“More likely, they’re concerned with their own reputational security.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
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.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
This Week in Press Freedom in 90 Seconds
January 16, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This Week in Press Freedom in 90 Seconds
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
The FBI raided the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social this week.
Plus, an update on journalist Seth Harp, who is facing a House subpoena for his reporting.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: freedom.press/newsletter
Plus, an update on journalist Seth Harp, who is facing a House subpoena for his reporting.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: freedom.press/newsletter
January 16, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The FBI raided the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social this week.
Plus, an update on journalist Seth Harp, who is facing a House subpoena for his reporting.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: freedom.press/newsletter
Plus, an update on journalist Seth Harp, who is facing a House subpoena for his reporting.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: freedom.press/newsletter
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
After a 9-day trial, Judge William Young held that the Trump admin is violating the First Amendment by arresting and trying to deport students for pro-Palestinian advocacy. We're back in court tomorrow to ask for an injunction. A reminder of why we filed the case: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The US government’s round-up of student protesters is genuinely shocking | Jameel Jaffer
These are the kinds of scenes we expect to see in the world’s most repressive regimes. And they won’t stop at foreign students
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 AM
After a 9-day trial, Judge William Young held that the Trump admin is violating the First Amendment by arresting and trying to deport students for pro-Palestinian advocacy. We're back in court tomorrow to ask for an injunction. A reminder of why we filed the case: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Celebrating Wikipedia's 25th birthday at @freedom.press: "It's important to understand and appreciate that Wikipedia only exists because of the robust free speech and free press protections that exist in the United States." freedom.press/issues/wikip...
Wikipedia’s 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
If the global encyclopedia is going to thrive for the next 25 years, we must maintain and expand First Amendment protections
freedom.press
January 15, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Celebrating Wikipedia's 25th birthday at @freedom.press: "It's important to understand and appreciate that Wikipedia only exists because of the robust free speech and free press protections that exist in the United States." freedom.press/issues/wikip...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
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 Ahmed Zidan
Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of @wikipedia.org, which for a quarter of a century has been collaboratively built by unpaid strangers on the internet.
Wikipedia’s 25th birthday proves the power of free speech
If the global encyclopedia is going to thrive for the next 25 years, we must maintain and expand First Amendment protections
freedom.press
January 15, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of @wikipedia.org, which for a quarter of a century has been collaboratively built by unpaid strangers on the internet.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Pre-orders are ✨magic✨ for new authors.
They make a massive difference in the future success of the book.
All the ways to order here:
raineyreitman.com/2025/08/11/t...
They make a massive difference in the future success of the book.
All the ways to order here:
raineyreitman.com/2025/08/11/t...
Transaction Denied Now Available for Pre-Order
My new book, Transaction Denied: Big Finance’s Power to Punish Speech, is available for pre-order today. Here are three ways to order: 1. Use this link to order from Bookshop.org and a portio…
raineyreitman.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Pre-orders are ✨magic✨ for new authors.
They make a massive difference in the future success of the book.
All the ways to order here:
raineyreitman.com/2025/08/11/t...
They make a massive difference in the future success of the book.
All the ways to order here:
raineyreitman.com/2025/08/11/t...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
🔴 "Government invasion into a reporter’s home and the seizure of journalistic materials is exactly the kind of scenario our First Amendment was conceived to protect against."
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
January 15, 2026 at 8:58 PM
🔴 "Government invasion into a reporter’s home and the seizure of journalistic materials is exactly the kind of scenario our First Amendment was conceived to protect against."
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
The FBI’s raid today on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social is an alarming escalation in the Trump administration’s war on the press.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain how the DOJ is not only attacking the First Amendment but also ignoring federal law.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain how the DOJ is not only attacking the First Amendment but also ignoring federal law.
January 14, 2026 at 11:31 PM
The FBI’s raid today on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social is an alarming escalation in the Trump administration’s war on the press.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain how the DOJ is not only attacking the First Amendment but also ignoring federal law.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain how the DOJ is not only attacking the First Amendment but also ignoring federal law.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Elon Musk: "I'm a free speech absolutist!"
Also Elon Musk: "Anyone who teaches students that America was built on stolen land is guilty of treason and should be imprisoned."
Look, some of us tried to warn people that Elon Musk doesn't care one bit about free speech. But did anyone listen?
Also Elon Musk: "Anyone who teaches students that America was built on stolen land is guilty of treason and should be imprisoned."
Look, some of us tried to warn people that Elon Musk doesn't care one bit about free speech. But did anyone listen?
January 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Elon Musk: "I'm a free speech absolutist!"
Also Elon Musk: "Anyone who teaches students that America was built on stolen land is guilty of treason and should be imprisoned."
Look, some of us tried to warn people that Elon Musk doesn't care one bit about free speech. But did anyone listen?
Also Elon Musk: "Anyone who teaches students that America was built on stolen land is guilty of treason and should be imprisoned."
Look, some of us tried to warn people that Elon Musk doesn't care one bit about free speech. But did anyone listen?
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
BREAKING: Trump admin raids Washington Post reporter’s home, reportedly over classified documents.
If true, this would be a serious violation of press freedom and a disturbing escalation in Trump’s war on the First Amendment.
If true, this would be a serious violation of press freedom and a disturbing escalation in Trump’s war on the First Amendment.
F.B.I. Searches Home of Washington Post Journalist for Classified Material
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
BREAKING: Trump admin raids Washington Post reporter’s home, reportedly over classified documents.
If true, this would be a serious violation of press freedom and a disturbing escalation in Trump’s war on the First Amendment.
If true, this would be a serious violation of press freedom and a disturbing escalation in Trump’s war on the First Amendment.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Congratulations to FPF's Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy, @laurenleharper.bsky.social, and the other worthy nominees, for their upcoming induction into @brechnerfoi.bsky.social's National FOIA Hall of Fame.
Sixteen inducted into 2026 National FOIA Hall of Fame - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Read more
brechner.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Congratulations to FPF's Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy, @laurenleharper.bsky.social, and the other worthy nominees, for their upcoming induction into @brechnerfoi.bsky.social's National FOIA Hall of Fame.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Serious news companies hire serious editors who don’t kill stories to please unserious presidents.
Corporate conglomerates unwilling to defend the First Amendment should “stay the heck out of the news business.” contrarian.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
Corporate conglomerates unwilling to defend the First Amendment should “stay the heck out of the news business.” contrarian.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
Don’t Forget Who First Stole CBS’s Integrity
It’s hard to imagine CBS News’ reputation recovering, at least unless and until it changes hands again.
contrarian.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Serious news companies hire serious editors who don’t kill stories to please unserious presidents.
Corporate conglomerates unwilling to defend the First Amendment should “stay the heck out of the news business.” contrarian.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
Corporate conglomerates unwilling to defend the First Amendment should “stay the heck out of the news business.” contrarian.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Mayor Adams admin tried to restrict press access in NYC just before his term ended.
Mamdani wasted no time ending the proposed new rules for the city's press pass program.
Mamdani wasted no time ending the proposed new rules for the city's press pass program.
Mamdani names new media commissioner, undoes Adams’ 11th hour press access changes
Mayor Mamdani tapped former City Councilman Rafael Espinal to lead his media office on Monday — and made it one of Espinal’s first orders of business to revoke ex-Mayor Eric Adams’ 11th…
www.nydailynews.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Mayor Adams admin tried to restrict press access in NYC just before his term ended.
Mamdani wasted no time ending the proposed new rules for the city's press pass program.
Mamdani wasted no time ending the proposed new rules for the city's press pass program.
"If other countries adopt the Maduro precedent, a foreign country can enforce its laws against U.S. journalists simply by force or power," lawyer Mark D. Rasch writes for @freedom.press.
"In a networked world, journalism is inherently transnational, but press freedom is not."
"In a networked world, journalism is inherently transnational, but press freedom is not."
What the Maduro ‘extradition’ could mean for U.S. journalists
If the Maduro precedent catches on, U.S. reporters could be kidnapped and prosecuted overseas for activities that enjoy legal protection at home.
freedom.press
January 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
"If other countries adopt the Maduro precedent, a foreign country can enforce its laws against U.S. journalists simply by force or power," lawyer Mark D. Rasch writes for @freedom.press.
"In a networked world, journalism is inherently transnational, but press freedom is not."
"In a networked world, journalism is inherently transnational, but press freedom is not."
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Names aren't classified, publishing a government higher-up's name is not "doxxing," and journalists are entitled to publish news, even if it is classified, as long as they don't break the law to get it.
It's not the press's job to keep the government's secrets.
It's not the press's job to keep the government's secrets.
January 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Names aren't classified, publishing a government higher-up's name is not "doxxing," and journalists are entitled to publish news, even if it is classified, as long as they don't break the law to get it.
It's not the press's job to keep the government's secrets.
It's not the press's job to keep the government's secrets.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
And there's a pattern of what happens to leaders who challenge it:
2000: Saddam Hussein announces Iraq will sell oil in euros instead of dollars.
2003: Invaded. Regime change. Iraq's oil immediately switched back to dollars. Saddam lynched.
The WMDs were never found because they never existed.
2000: Saddam Hussein announces Iraq will sell oil in euros instead of dollars.
2003: Invaded. Regime change. Iraq's oil immediately switched back to dollars. Saddam lynched.
The WMDs were never found because they never existed.
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 PM
And there's a pattern of what happens to leaders who challenge it:
2000: Saddam Hussein announces Iraq will sell oil in euros instead of dollars.
2003: Invaded. Regime change. Iraq's oil immediately switched back to dollars. Saddam lynched.
The WMDs were never found because they never existed.
2000: Saddam Hussein announces Iraq will sell oil in euros instead of dollars.
2003: Invaded. Regime change. Iraq's oil immediately switched back to dollars. Saddam lynched.
The WMDs were never found because they never existed.
The ICE "training documents that I obtained seemed to have a lot more training on how to avoid accountability than how to avoid shooting a firearm in the first place," @lilahassan.bsky.social, an independent reporter who spent four years investigating ICE officer-involved shootings says.
Lila Hassan ليلى حسن on Instagram: "The ICE officer who shot and killed a woman in Minnesota today joins the ranks of a long history of ICE shootings that saw no accountability. It’s a defective acc...
414 likes, 12 comments - bylilahassan on January 7, 2026: "The ICE officer who shot and killed a woman in Minnesota today joins the ranks of a long history of ICE shootings that saw no accountability....
www.instagram.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The ICE "training documents that I obtained seemed to have a lot more training on how to avoid accountability than how to avoid shooting a firearm in the first place," @lilahassan.bsky.social, an independent reporter who spent four years investigating ICE officer-involved shootings says.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
According to my sources, the FBI was initially open to a concurrent investigation with the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (the state agency that would do this investigation).
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota investigators say they can't access evidence after fatal ICE shooting and FBI won't work jointly on probe.
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
According to my sources, the FBI was initially open to a concurrent investigation with the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (the state agency that would do this investigation).
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Records from the Federal Procurement Data System reveal that ICE has increased spending on “small arms, ordnance, and ordnance accessories manufacturing” by more than 600% compared to 2024 levels.
popular.info/p/ice-boosts...
popular.info/p/ice-boosts...
January 8, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Records from the Federal Procurement Data System reveal that ICE has increased spending on “small arms, ordnance, and ordnance accessories manufacturing” by more than 600% compared to 2024 levels.
popular.info/p/ice-boosts...
popular.info/p/ice-boosts...