Suppression

Talking Points Memo. Behind the Misguided Bipartisan Push to Muzzle Free Speech Online

A key law that protects free speech online is celebrating its 30th birthday under withering fire from critics on both sides of the political aisle. – PL

Electronic Frontier Foundation. Open letter to tech companies: Protect your users from lawless DHS subpoenas

In the past year, DHS has consistently targeted people engaged in First Amendment activity. Among other things, the agency has issued subpoenas to technology companies to unmask or locate people who have documented ICE's activities in their community, criticized the government, or attended protests. – PL

Barron’s. Hong Kong journalists face 'precarious' future after Jimmy Lai jailed

For Hong Kong journalists, this week's sentencing of pro-democracy newspaper boss Jimmy Lai cements a climate of fear and self-censorship in the years since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law. – PL

Yahoo News. Indian court sentences journalist to jail in defamation case by Adani Group

An Indian court has sentenced a journalist to one year in ‌jail for some of his social media posts ‌on the Adani Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate, saying they were unverified, defamatory and portrayed the group ​in a disreputable light. – PL

Kiripost. Journalist arrested for exposing scam compound sparks press freedom outcry

Journalist Hem Vanna was arrested after exposing an alleged scam compound. The arrest reflects growing pressure on journalists covering cybercrime and human rights abuses in Cambodia. – PL

Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Judge orders jailed Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora returned to house arrest

Zamora, the 69-year-old founder of El Periodico newspaper, had spent more than two years behind bars awaiting trial before a judge granted him house arrest in October 2024. Prosecutors immediately appealed and won rulings that sent him back to jail in March 2025. – PL

USA Today. Colbert slams CBS for canning interview with Trump critic

Stephen Colbert is laying into his soon-to-be-former network over an axed interview with James Talarico, a Democrat and Trump critic. – PL

Reporters Without Borders. China: independent journalists Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao arrested for reporting on corruption

Their detention followed the publication of an investigative report they co-authored on the Chinese social media WeChat on January 29, 2026, which reportedly exposed the corruption of Pu Fayou, the Party Secretary for Pujiang County, located in the province of Sichuan. – PL

Axios. Trump admin crackdown on journalists' sources "chilling," press groups say

Press freedom groups denounced Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's declaration this week that a journalist was "down another source" after her department "caught another prolific leaker," whom she'll refer for criminal prosecution. – PL

Guardian. Nancy Pelosi warns press freedom is ‘under siege’ after arrest of journalist

The ex-House speaker says at dinner ‘facts are challenged, truth is distorted and the press is treated as the enemy’ by those in power. – PL

Guardian. Arrested journalist Don Lemon urges US to ‘keep fighting’ for right to free press

Ex-CNN anchor arrested after covering anti-ICE protest says it was ‘very frightening’ to experience official overreach. – PL

AP. China critic and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 20 years in a Hong Kong security case

Lai, 78, was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. The maximum penalty for his conviction was life imprisonment. – PL

The Daily Star. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) slams ‘authoritarian’ pick-up of 21 journalists as attack on press freedom

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman raises questions over the army's ‘command and control.’ – PL

Committee to Project Journalists. Malian journalist in prison awaiting trial for offending Niger’s military leader

Youssouf Sissoko was detained for publishing a commentary piece criticizing neighboring Niger’s president’s comments about a jihadist attack. – PL

Yahoo News. Apple's lockdown mode blocks FBI from accessing reporter's seized iPhone

The iPhone, owned by Hannah Natanson, was seized in January during a raid of the reporter's home. Natanson was targeted as part of an investigation after allegedly receiving classified information from a government contractor. She, however, has not been accused of committing a crime. – PL

NY Times. Don Lemon released without bond over Minnesota protest charge

Nine people have been accused of violating federal law during a demonstration at a church this month, reviving a case that was rejected last week by a magistrate judge. – PL

Valley News Live. Journalist Georgia Fort released following federal arrests tied to St. Paul church protest 

Federal agents arrested the Minneapolis-based independent journalist at her home in connection with a protest opposing immigration enforcement held earlier this month at a church. – PL

Aljazeera. Gaza-based journalist Bisan Owda regains TikTok account after outcry

Award-winning Palestinian journalist regains account with 1.4 million followers after surprise removal from video-sharing platform. – PL

The Current. Election analyst cautions against disinformation following FBI’s ballot seizure

Multiple audits found no evidence of election fraud, but still the administration pushes the false narrative of a stolen election. – PL

South End News. When journalists face criminal charges: The First Amendment questions we need to ask now

When journalists begin facing criminal charges for newsgathering activity, the chilling effect on press freedom is immediate, and the public must urgently question whether law enforcement is being used disproportionately or selectively to intimidate reporting. – PL

E&P. Student journalists push back as censorship tightens on campus

Student newsrooms face suspensions, access restrictions, and chilling disciplinary threats, yet continue asserting their role as an independent “fourth estate” holding university power accountable. – PL

Zeteo. Bari Weiss’s CBS News won’t even condemn Israel for killing a CBS contributor

Instead, the network’s new top anchor Tony Dokoupil peddles Israel’s talking points about it killing a Palestinian journalist. A CBS source calls it a “disgrace.” – PL

Middle East Monitor. AFP calls for investigation into killing of its photographer in Gaza

Agence France Presse (AFP) has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of its freelance photojournalist Abdel Raouf Shaath (34), who was killed in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli attack. – PL

The Hill. Judge rejects bid to bring federal charges against Don Lemon

A magistrate judge on Thursday rejected federal charges against journalist Don Lemon in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church. – PL

NY Times. Filipino journalist gets prison in case seen as attack on free press

Frenchie Mae Cumpio and her former roommate were convicted of financing terrorism and sentenced to up to 18 years in prison. – PL

Courthouse News. LA Times' suit over mayor's auto-deleting texts likely to advance

The newspaper says LA is automatically destroying "a massive amount of records." But requiring the city to review every employee's text message would be a logistical nightmare. – PL

Washington Post. Judge blocks government from searching data seized from Washington Post reporter

The seizure ‘chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm,’ The Post said in statement – PL

Reporters Without Borders. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), NGOs urge Philippines President Marcos to free investigative journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio ahead of verdict

A prominent figure in the fight for press freedom in the Philippines, Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been arbitrarily detained since February 2020 on bogus charges, as revealed by an RSF investigation. – PL

People. Don Lemon responds after being put 'on notice' by Trump DOJ following Minneapolis church protest

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon threatened Lemon with charges under the Ku Klux Klan Act during a television appearance on Monday. – PL

Washington Post. FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home

The search came as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. – PL

Guardian. Trump officials urged to halt violence against journalists amid ICE protests

Journalists call on homeland security officials to reduce law-enforcement confrontations as tensions flare. – PL

E&P. U.S. journalists face war-zone conditions at home

Safety networks rise amid ICE enforcement and federal crackdowns. – PL

CNN. The BBC says it will ask for dismissal of Trump’s lawsuit

In a court filing Monday, the BBC says it will “move to dismiss the complaint” as the Florida court where Trump lodged his lawsuit lacks “personal jurisdiction” over the case, noting that the documentary in question was not made or produced and did not air in Florida. – PL

NYT Magazine. The MAGA plan to take over TV is just beginning

Under Trump, the F.C.C. has used obscure regulatory powers to crack down on network TV. Some conservatives are pushing back. – PL

The Vietnamese. A decade of repression: How Việt Nam jailed dissidents, journalists, and rights defenders

The data compiled for this article shows that from 2015 to 2025, Việt Nam has followed a clear pattern of punishing political prisoners, marked by waves of arrests, frequent use of arbitrary laws, and consistently severe prison sentences year after year. – PL

Free Speech Center. Free Press: Government undermined media rights in 2025

Free Press, an advocacy group that monitors attacks on the media, has issued Chokehold,  a  report on censorship of free expression in 2025. – PL

Modern Ghana. Journalists under threat in Ghana: Why the alarms are sounding

Repeated physical assaults and threats against journalists have raised serious concerns about their safety and the state of press freedom. These incidents challenge Ghana’s reputation for a free media and prompt calls for better protection and accountability to safeguard transparency and democracy. – PL

Reporters Without Borders. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the release of Firas al-Barjas

A journalist held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian Kurd coalition that controls northeastern Syria faces trial by an anti-terrorism court on a charge of “collaborating with the Damascus government.” – PL

The New Region. Iraq has third-highest number of missing journalists in the world: Watchdog

The journalistic watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its annual report on Wednesday, positioning Iraq as the country with the third-highest number of missing journalists in the world amid an overall unfavorable situation in the country for press freedom. – PL

Kabul Now. Taliban detain female journalist in Kunduz, media watchdog says

Afghanistan Media Support Organization said that Nazera Rashidi, a local journalist, was arrested by Taliban forces last Tuesday (January 6) and taken to an unknown location. – PL

Radar Armenia. Dozens of journalists arrested in Venezuela

More than a dozen journalists have been arrested in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for covering events in the country, including a rally in support of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and the inauguration of a new parliament, the country’s press association said. Fourteen of the detainees were later released, but one, a foreign journalist, has been deported. – PL

Capital News. Press freedom worsens in Pakistan as journalists face rising government pressure

A new assessment by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), contained in its Media Freedom Report 2025, paints a picture of a media sector increasingly constrained by arrests, threats and legal maneuvers, alongside economic tactics that encourage self-censorship. – PL

946 Media. Press freedom group: Violations against Iraqi journalists sees fall, but crackdown grew harsher

Violations against journalists and media outlets in Iraq declined in 2025 compared with the previous year, but pressure on press freedom remained intense and in some cases grew more severe, according to a new report by the Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq. – PL

The Free Lance News. One snowflake complaint, no evidence: Eric Adams exit plan opens door to city censorship of journalists 

The proposed rules would authorize the city to take a journalist’s press credential if one person says that journalist made them feel “unsafe.” – PL

ABC News. Pakistan court sentences journalists to life in prison over links to 2023 protests after Imran Khan's arrest

Eight journalists and social media commentators have been sentenced over their online support of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The convictions stem from the violent unrest that erupted in May 2023 following the arrest of Mr. Khan in a graft case. – PL

Shafaq. Iraq rights group accuses Parliament Speaker of “threatening journalists”

The Iraq Center for Human Rights on Sunday documented “threats” by newly elected Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibet Al-Halbousi to journalists and activists linked to commentary on his performance. – PL

Guardian. Trump push to politicize US military ‘reminiscent of Stalin’, top general warns

Major General Paul Eaton says the US president's effort to bend the military to his will could have dire long-term consequences. – PL

CJR. 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. – PL

NYT. They seek to curb online hate. The U.S. accuses them of censorship.

The Trump administration said five regulators and researchers who work to tackle disinformation and abuse on the internet had been barred from entering the United States. – PL

Moscow Times. Russian investigative journalist Roman Anin stripped of citizenship

Russian authorities cited Anin’s 2025 conviction for spreading so-called “fake” news about the Russian military, the Yaroslavl regional branch of the Interior Ministry told state media. – PL

People’s World. Denied: N.Y. Gov. Hochul vetoes bill giving journalists police radio access

In a move that many journalists are calling an attack on freedom of the press, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have granted press members across the state real-time access to encrypted police radio transmissions. – PL

The Business Standard. How press freedom was built over centuries, how Bangladesh is watching it unravel

Last week, a mob attacked the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, vandalising and looting their premises, and setting the former's building on fire with many journalists still trapped inside. – PL

RCFP. Breaking down the Gray Lady’s lawsuit against the Pentagon

Committee for the Freedom of the Press (RCFP) explains the legal theories advanced by The New York Times in its lawsuit challenging the Pentagon's new press policy. – PL

CNN. CBS shelves ‘60 Minutes’ story on Trump deportees at the last minute: ‘People are threatening to quit,’ staffers say (UPDATE: Now streaming online)

The correspondent who reported the story, Sharyn Alfonsi, said in an internal memo that “the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship.” – PL

Guardian. US sees surge in violence against journalists under Trump, report says

The US press have suffered about as many assaults this year as in the previous three years combined, according to a U.S. Press Freedom Tracker report. — PL

Axios. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair suggests agency isn't independent, word cut from mission statement

Chairman Bredan Carr said the FCC is evaluating "constraining power of national programmers" over local syndicates in news, suggesting he is considering the president's point of view despite the fact that it goes against his years-long viewpoints. – PL

Courthouse News Service. Ninth Circuit keeps block on DHS use of excessive force on journalists

The appellate panel trimmed the preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge in Los Angeles to the extent it applied to protesters in general. – PL

Reporters Without Borders. Venezuela: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the enforced disappearance of Rory Branker and demands the release of all six detained news professionals

A contributor to the digital outlet La Patilla, Rory Branker, was arrested in Caracas by officers of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) as he was leaving his home. – PL

Deutsche Welle (DW). Declared 'undesirable', DW Russian launches TikTok Channel

DW has launched a new Russian-language TikTok channel, expanding its outreach shortly after Russian authorities designated the organization as "undesirable." – PL

Times of Israel. Attorney General (AG) says ‘unlawful’ government move to shutter Army Radio fails to consider freedom of press

AG Gali Baharav-Miara says a cabinet resolution to shutter Army Radio has a slew of substantive problems, including a failure to consider the impact on the freedom of the press, and states that the resolution is therefore unlawful and should not be approved. – PL

AP. WSJ’s parent firm on trial in Hong Kong, accused of dismissing reporter over union role

Former WSJ reporter Selina Cheng, also chairperson of the trade union Hong Kong Journalists Association, launched a private prosecution against her ex-employer, Dow Jones Publishing Co. (Asia) Inc., the parent company of the Journal, after losing her job in July 2024. – PL

Quill. Punishing the press

For the fifth straight year, U.S. courts have convicted journalists for doing their job. And the convictions don’t exist in a vacuum. – PL

The Guardian. ‘It’s not a coincidence’: journalists of color on being laid off amid Trump’s anti-DEI push

Black and brown former employees from CBS, NBC, and Teen Vogue talk about the effects of being let go. – PL

Sun Sentinel. Court ruling leaves independent journalists unprotected

Judge ruled that Popcorned Planet, a YouTube channel that covers entertainment news, doesn’t qualify for a law that allows journalists to shield their confidential sources and reporting materials from compelled disclosure. – PL

Le Monde. Jailed French journalist files appeal in Algerian top court, according to his lawyers

Earlier this month, an Algerian appeals court upheld the seven-year prison term for sportswriter Christophe Gleizes for terror-related charges. – PL

UNESCO. New report: UNESCO warns of serious decline in freedom of expression and safety of journalists worldwide

Trends in freedom of expression and journalism points to a historic 10% decline, a consequence of the alarming rise in self-censorship by journalists and the attacks they face - both IRL  and online. – PL

KARE. Puerto Rico governor signs bill that critics say will restrict access to public information

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González has signed a controversial bill that critics say is a blow to democracy and will make it more difficult to access public information. – PL

AP. How an AM radio station in California weathered the Trump administration’s assault on media

“‘Chilling effect’ does not begin to describe the neutering of our political coverage,” said Doug Sovern, a political journalist at the station KCBS-AM, who retired in April. – PL

Pen America. By suing the BBC, Pres. Trump exports anti-press tactics abroad

Lawsuit seeks to intimidate news organizations, thwart scrutiny, and silence critics. – PL

CPJ. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns Hong Kong’s conviction of Jimmy Lai in national security case

“This sham conviction is a disgraceful act of persecution,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi. “The ruling underscores Hong Kong’s utter contempt for press freedom, which is supposed to be protected under the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.” — PL

Reporters Without Boarders. 2025, a deadly year for journalists: this is where hate and impunity lead

The number of murdered journalists is on the rise. At least 53 of the 67 media professionals killed over the past year are victims of war or criminal networks. – PL

CPJ. US senator’s revelations show Israel does not investigate war crimes against journalists; US and international community must step in

The US government failed in its duty to pursue accountability for American journalist Dylan Collins, targeted in the October 13, 2023, Israeli attack that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. – PL

People. Trump calls ABC's Rachel Scott 'the most obnoxious reporter' in the White House for asking about Pentagon scandal

The US president continues to belittle and insult the working press just for doing their job, especially attacking female reporters. – PL

Committee to Protect Journalists. Algerian journalist arrested for comments on late president

Journalist Saad Bouakba, 79, was arrested on November 27 for discussing alleged fund mismanagement by Ahmed Ben Bella during the independence war against France. He is being charged with insulting and defaming symbols of the revolution and with intentionally publishing false information online. -acs

The Intercept. How the federal government's targeting of Antifa effects free speech

Daniel Sanchez is facing charges for transporting "antifa materials" following a July protest outside the Prairieland ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas, where his zines and pamphlets were distributed. Although the materials contained revolutionary ideas, they are protected under the First Amendment, raising concerns about attacks on free speech. -acs

Reuters. India smartphone producers ordered to preload government cybersecurity app onto all devices

The country’s telecoms ministry has asked manufacturers to install an undeletable cyber-security app, likely to cause issues with foreign tech companies. This method, already used by Russia, is meant to combat the surge of cyber attacks, leaving consumers concerned about their privacy. -acs

The Guardian. Northwestern to pay $75 million to US govt in order to restore research funding

The payment will be split over a three year period, ending the open investigation against the university that stripped it of its $790 million in federal grants. The deal also requires Northwestern to end the Deering Meadow agreement which allowed the school to come to a solution ending the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments. -acs

Committee to Protect Journalists. CPJ calls out threats and harassment against Israeli journalist after exposé

In August 2024, Guy Peleg released video footage revealing that IDF soldiers were sexually assaulting Palestinian prisoners at Sde Teiman detention center. He has since come under political attack from major figures in the Israeli government. -acs

AP. Trump lashes out at ABC reporter after being asked about killing of Saudi journalist

Mary Bruce was targeted by President Trump and called a "terrible reporter" after questioning him about Prince Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the implications of his presence in the US. -acs

The Guardian. President Trump under fire for calling reporter "piggy"

While on Air Force One, Trump called a Bloomberg News correspondent "Piggy" after she questioned him about Epstein. Critics are condemning the remarks, noting this isn't the first time he has demeaned female journalists.

See also: Gavin Newsom responds to Trump's "Piggy" comments -acs

Indiana Daily Student. Indiana University professor removed after intellectual diversity complaint

Since September 29, IU Social Work lecturer Jessica Adams has been unable to teach her Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice course following a report from a student. The student cited a graphic used in Adams' lecture, known as the “Pyramid of White Supremacy,” which listed “Make America Great Again” and Columbus Day as aspects of the power structure. -acs

Truthout. After being murdered, Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi's account was completed wiped by Meta, erasing his legacy

Palestine remains one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the 21st century, with hundreds of deaths reported in recent years alone. In addition, large data and social media companies such as Meta have further suppressed these journalists’ stories, removing their accounts and permanently erasing the voices of an oppressed people during a time of conflict. -acs

CPJ. The fight to get reporters back into Gaza

Since the start of the genocide in Gaza, it has been nearly impossible for journalists to enter the region and provide coverage, leaving it up to citizens of the territory to do so at their own risk. Since the most recent ceasefire deal, Israel has indicated “there will come a time soon”, but experts aren’t so sure. -acs

CNN. White House implements new restrictions for press corps

The White House Press Corps has restricted access to the office of press secretary Karoline Leavitt, making access based solely on an appointments only. Historically, this section of the White House has been accessible correspondents for decades in an effort to increase communication between the president and the public. -acs

The Intercept. YouTube erased 700 videos documenting Israel's human rights violations

In early October, YouTube deleted the accounts of Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights as well as their video archives. The videos posted on these accounts were important evidence of the crimes against Palestinian people in a time where press coverage on the region is already extremely limited. -acs

The Intercept. Tennessee man remains in prison for Charlie Kirk meme post

Larry Bushart Jr., a former police officer from Tennessee, is an outspoken, left-leaning Facebook user who was never afraid to share his views, even when they clashed with those of his peers. That changed after the death of Charlie Kirk, when a meme Bushart shared on Facebook led to his arrest for allegedly “threatening mass violence at a school, ”a post that, ironically, quoted President Trump. His bail has been set at $2 million and his next court date is not until December 4. -acs

PEN America. British journalist Sami Hamdi remains in ICE custody after being detained at SFO

PEN America is calling for the immediate release of Sami Hamdi after his arrest at San Francisco International Airport. Hamdi was detained while on a speaking tour across the US, allegedly for his criticism of Israel. -acs

CPJ. Russian drones kill two Ukrainian journalistsCPJ is calling for an investigation into the murders of Olena Hramova and Yevhen Karmazin by drone strike. Both journalists had been working for Ukraine’s international state TV channels since 2012. -acs

Democracy Now. Journalist held by Israel claims abuse while in custody

A journalist who was aboard a humanitarian aid vessel headed to Gaza says she was abducted by Israeli forces and subjected to torture, describing handcuffing, beatings and threats of sexual assault during her detention. -acs

Washington Post. Journalists working at the Pentagon walk out en masse in protest of new press rules

Journalists covering the U.S. Department of Defense walked out en masse after the department introduced new accreditation policies that bar reporters from soliciting unauthorized information and limit access across large parts of its headquarters. -acs

IFJ. Afghanistan kills two journalists in two days

A media worker, Abdul Zahir Safi, was killed in an airstrike in Kabul on October 16 while working for Afghanistan’s state-run cultural broadcaster, marking the second journalist murdered in just two days in the country. -acs

Washington Post. Rutgers professor was harassed for his book on Antifa, now he is leaving the US

Historian Mark Bray has left the United States amid death threats and criticism from supporters of President Donald Trump, who have characterized him as an enemy of America and an alleged backer of domestic terrorism. Bray, who specializes in the history of fascism, has since departed the country citing safety concerns. -acs

Democracy Now. Journalist Mario Guevara deported to El Salvador by ICE

Despite living in the US for 20 years with a work permit, Mario Guevara was arrested and deported to El Salvador for live-streaming a “No Kings Day” protest. Guevara said he once trusted the US justice system and the motto “liberty and justice for all,” but no longer believes in existence of either. -acs

Indian Express. Indian student planning on attending Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism denied visa over "insufficient ties to India"

An Indian journalism student, who received a scholarship to Columbia University's graduate journalism program, had his visa rejected because of stricter visa review procedures. "It's obviously because they looked at my social media," he stated. "I'm going to apply to the UK now. I still want to be a journalist," he added. "Just not in a place that penalizes you for it.” -acs

Daily Tar Heel. Students, faculty, and community members protest firing of UNC professor Dwayne Dixon

Supporters of UNC professor Dwayne Dixon gathered outside South Building to protest his administrative leave, which the university imposed amid concerns over his alleged advocacy of politically motivated violence and affiliation with the long-disbanded “Redneck Revolt” group. One supporter stated, “this rally is powerful community demonstration of our shared desire for a better world. In solidarity and love, we struggle together to preserve our liberties.” -acs

CPJ. Russian journalist detained for "fake" news about war in Ukraine

Independent journalist Svetlana Khustik, has been placed under arrest for two months pending investigation. She is being charging with publishing “fake” information about the war in Ukraine, a crime under a recently enforced statute that could carry up to 10 years in prison. -acs

CJR. Inside the chaotic halls of NYC's immigration courts

In New York’s federal immigration court, German journalist Till Eckert spent two weeks documenting ICE’s confrontational tactics, including a woman being knocked to the floor after pleading with agents and a reporter’s violent arrest. -acs

CPJ. 8 Turkish journalists face jail for ‘insult’ and ‘false news' on TV talk show

Three journalists from Istanbul’s TELE1 network were taken into police custody last week, while several others were placed under investigation. Özgür Öğret, CPJ’s Turkey representative, stated, “Turkish authorities should welcome critical reporting and commentary as a crucial part of a working democracy, and stop prosecuting journalists.” -acs

The Guardian. Journalist Mario Guevara facing deportation after protest arrest

The ACLU says Guevara could be deported at any moment, despite an immigration judge’s initial order to grant his release on bond and his clear path to residency. He was arrested at a “No Kings Day” protest in Atlanta this past June for failing to disperse and standing in the roadway. -acs

Article 19. At least six journalists have been injured by law enforcement in France since early September

The injuries occurred during protests against the government's 2026 budget plan, which also included a general strike. Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners call for an independent and swift investigation into the registered attacks, and reiterate that journalists who document social movements and police actions do so in the public interest. -acs

Institute of Mass Information. Russia has committed 847 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine since 2022

111 media workers have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 12 died while reporting. Other crimes against Ukrainian journalists include legal pressure, media intimidation tactics, cyber crimes, and kidnapping. -acs

Texas Tribune. Texas A&M president, administrators, and professor brought down over LGBTQ curriculum

Several Texas A&M faculty, including Professor Melissa McCoul and the university president, were released after a student's video of a class discussion on non-binary identity caused a backlash. Critics warn of an attack on academic freedom, while officials argued McCoul strayed from the approved curriculum. -acs

The Washington Post. Israel kills 31 journalists during an airstrike in Yemen

An Israeli airstrike on September 10 struck a government press building in Sanaa, Yemen, killing 31 journalists and media workers who were preparing a weekly edition, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. -acs

ACLU. Over 400 artists sign ACLU letter condemning the firing of Jimmy Kimmel

The group argues that such threats amount to unconstitutional censorship and a dangerous precedent, calling on the public to mobilize in defense of free speech rights. -acs

NYT. How China's history with censorship can give us insight into our future

Journalist Li Yuan asked a naturalized American lawyer from China about the state of our democracy, and whether or not we should be worried for the future. His response, “as long as late-night talk show hosts can still make fun of the president, American democracy is safe.” Now that we are on the other side of that remark, where do we go from here and what lessons can we learn from China? -acs

CNN. Inside the American monopolies that could control Tiktok

Donald Trump announced the app’s American takeover will be led by Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and the Murdochs. This change in control will shift algorithms in the country, potentially altering the app's landscape, especially for American users. -acs

ART News. Trump orders removal of historical references to slavery from National Parks

President Trump ordered the National Park Service to remove photographs depicting slavery including a famous image known as “The Scourged Back”, which depicts an enslaved man named Peter whose back was severely scarred from whipping. -acs

Time. Charlie Kirk murdered at Utah Valley University

Right-wing political commentator, Charlie Kirk, was murdered last week while holding a debate at Utah Valley University. The suspect has now been apprehended and identified as Utah native, Tyler Robinson. At the time of writing, no motive has been reported. -acs

Human Rights Watch. Journalists are caught in the crossfire of Yemen's political violence

Journalists in Yemen have become unwilling participants in violence by warring parties, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and killings. The report highlights the Houthis' campaign of arrests since 2014, the Southern Transitional Council's detentions, and the Yemeni government's abuses, all contributing to a chilling effect on press freedom and prompting many journalists to flee or self-censor. -acs

CPJ. Sudanese journalist has been held without trial since July

Sudanese journalist El-Rashid Mohamed Haroun has been held since July 2025 by the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, without official charges or explanation. The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the detention and called for his immediate and unconditional release, highlighting the growing dangers for journalists in Darfur. -acs

NPR. Officials calling for the removal of workers over posts critical of Charlie Kirk

Several lawmakers and government authority figures are calling for the firing of workers who expressed contempt or even celebrated the death of right-wing commentator, Charlie Kirk. Supporters of the late Kirk even compiled an online database of accounts and posts with names of alleged perpetrators. At the time of this posting, the site has been taken down. -acs

RSF. Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan detained without trial for reporting on human rights abuses

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan remains detained at Pudong Detention Centre, one year after her arrest. RSF and other human rights groups are calling for her release. Detained on the charge of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," Zhang Zhan was reporting on government human rights abuses. This detention follows a four-year imprisonment for reporting on the early stages of Covid-19 and the Chinese government's attempt to downplay the pandemic's severity. -acs

Scroll.In. 19 dead in protest, after Nepali govt banned 26 media platforms

Fourteen people died and over fifty were injured after Nepali police use tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and eventually live ammunition against protesters in Kathmandu. Crowds were gathered to oppose the banning of social media platforms that did not register with the country’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, including Facebook, X, and YouTube. Protesters called out against suppression of information that the government saw as “unwanted content,” leaving common citizens at the mercy of strictly government approved messaging. -acs

IPI. Press body calls on Indian authorities to drop charges against Varadarajan and Thapar of The Wire

Authorities in the Indian state of Assam have pressed charges against editors of The Wire following complaints from a local BJP politician. The charges, based on Section 152, criminalize acts that endanger India’s “sovereignty, unity, and integrity.” These charges emerged after The Wire, along with other Indian publications, commented on Operation Sindoor, specifically regarding remarks from “India’s defense attaché to Indonesia on the reasons behind India’s loss of fighter jets during a military operation.” The targeting of independent media organizations highlights India’s hypocrisy regarding free speech and journalism. -acs

CPJ. Tehran Journalists’ Association evicted from their offices

City officials in Tehran have evicted Tehran Journalists’ Association from their offices in what employees say was a targeted attack on their organization. While the city government assures the public that it was due only to the end of the lease period, workers are suspicious. The eviction came after the organization published a list of concerns regarding safety and honesty in media. Additionally, “municipal authorities evicted two other civil society groups, the Iranian Sociological Association and the House of Humanities Thinkers, from their offices in recent months.” -acs

Daily Beast. Trump's new visa plan greatly limits the media

After setting his sights on “illegal immigrants,” Trump is moving the target to the backs of those granted legal entry. This new targeted group includes journalists, and would majorly limit the visas of reporters here from other countries. For instance, the standard I-Visa would be changed from the current 5 year duration to only 240 days, equivalent to about 8 months. This greatly limits the ability of foreign journalists to do their jobs and conduct thorough investigative reports, which can often take years of hard work. -acs

Freedom of the Press Foundation. The US government is hiding records from Rümeysa Öztürk's arrest

According to FPF, “a recent court filing suggests the U.S. government is abusing the Freedom of Information Act to hide potentially damning evidence about its arrest of Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk.” Öztürk was arrested by ICE in March after co-authoring an op-ed that was critical of the Israeli government. Defendants claim this is not an arrestable offence, and the implication that speaking out against a foreign government is against the law is dangerous to free speech rights in the US. -acs

Columbia Journalism Review. CJR on “the world’s deadliest place for journalists” and how to move forward from here

Columbia Journalism Review and the Simon and June Li Center for Global Journalism spent the summer working with journalists, human rights workers, experts in literature, and academics to come up with solutions to defend journalists still working in Gaza. Israel and Egypt are still barring journalists from entry. According to CPJ, nearly 200 journalists have already been killed in the occupied territory and all media resources have been destroyed. International organizations cannot guarantee safety, therefore, no journalists are making the journey. The following are some of the proposed solutions: sanctions, journalism strike in Western newsrooms until harm is acknowledged, disclaimers about the journalist death toll on publications relating to Gaza, naming those who have been killed and condemning the perpetrators, protect the voices of those still living, send a convoy of international journalists to the border. For a complete list with more information, read above. -acs

RSF. LAPD's unjust action against journalists covering protests in LA

According to RSF, between June 6 and July 11, more than 60 journalists were attacked by police while covering the ICE raids in Los Angeles. A lawsuit brought forward by LA Press Club impressed rules that barred LAPD from using force on journalists. Assaults have increased, however, five more instances occurred on August 8th, prompting the Press Club to file a motion of contempt. -acs

CPJ. Indian police launch two investigations into The Wire over articles published earlier this year

The Indian police in Assam have launched investigations into executives at The Wire based on articles about attacks on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir and the ensuing India-Pakistan conflict. India's CPJ leader rebukes these claims, stating, "By twice initiating investigations under a law currently being legally challenged for its resemblance to a colonial-era sedition law, and defying a Supreme Court ruling, Assam police are misusing the legal system to intimidate journalists.” -acs

Columbia Journalism Review. Cuban journalist, Jose Luis Tan Estrada, stuck in exile

After fleeing Cuba, Jose Luis Tan Estrada has struggled to find a home. He recalls a time when Cuban asylum seekers were welcomed at the US border and were practically granted citizenship after 12 months. As a journalism professor in Cuba, Tan Estrada found it increasingly difficult to teach honest journalism under the new Social Communication Law, stating, “I miss teaching objective, real journalism, far removed from empty rhetoric and propaganda, where the focus is not on the politician as the center of the news, but rather on the details, the essentials, the latest developments.” -acs

RSF. Environmental journalists in Guatemala are at high risk of danger

Journalists in Guatemala face big tasks in reporting with little to no protections, RSF is calling on the country’s president, Bernardo Arévalo, to bring change. A “report by RSF and seven partner organisations, published following an observation mission to Guatemala, revealed that local journalists—especially indigenous women—face daily threats, intimidation and systemic discrimination by local power structures.” -acs

Editor & Publisher. How a lack of coverage leads to bigger cover-ups: the story behind information deserts

The Washington Post famously says, “democracy dies in darkness.” In this case, thats absolutely true. The US is seeing less and less local coverage from small presses due to the decline in funding and readership. Brechner Freedom of Information (FOI) Project at the University of Florida has “found that states with fewer newspapers per capita and financially weak press associations are more likely to have state government agencies that violate public record laws.” -acs

The Guardian. IDF reveal tactic of framing journalists in Gaza as terrorists in order to carry out attacks

A special unit of the Israeli Defense Force was given the assignment of finding Palestinian reporters that it could frame as “Hamas operatives” in order to garner support from allies despite mass killings, per a report from Israeli-Palestinian investigators. According to The Guardian, “the unit’s objective was to gather information that could bolster Israel’s image and shore up diplomatic and military support from key allies, the report said, citing three intelligence sources.” -acs

Euromaidan Press. Ukraine officials release name of Russian military officer who tortured journalist Viktoria Roshchyna

Ukrainian officials have announced that it was Russian officer, Alexander Shtuda, who facilitated the brutal torture of journalist Viktoria Roshchyna that ultimately led to her death in 2024. He is being charged for torture and murder by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General. -acs

Committee to Protect Journalists. The "death of truth" in Gaza could be near

According to CPJ, the organization joined 15 other media and human rights groups in a letter demanding an end to the forced starvation and targeted killings of journalists in Gaza by Israel. Organizers fear that if the situation in Palestine is not resolved immediately, it could mean the “death of truth” in Gaza, as foreign journalists are still not allowed in the territory. -acs

World Organisation Against Torture. Mada Masr co-founder and journalist, Lina Attalah, facing trial for publishing “false news”

Lina Attalah faces another charge from the Egyptian government for publishing stories it deems "false." She was initially arrested in May 2020 for filming without a permit during an interview outside Tora Prison Complex. Now, she's on trial for a piece on poor detention conditions and human rights abuses in Badr 3 Prison, including a leaked letter attributed to former Alexandria Deputy Governor Hassan El-Borens, which leaders claim is fabricated. -acs

The Hill. Russian journalist sentenced to twelve years in prison for “extremism”

Olga Komleva was found guilty for extremism after being arrested in March 2024. She was also charged for spreading false information about the Russian military, and for working at Putin critic, Alexei Navalny’s, Foundation for Fighting Corruption. -acs

Iowa Capital Dispatch. US higher education facing major attacks on free speech College campuses, historically centers of student action and protest, are facing increased scrutiny regarding lesson plans and constitutional rights, largely due to the implementation of "educational gag orders.” Human rights group “PEN America released a report mapping where laws have been introduced and passed limiting what can be discussed in classrooms and other restrictions on university practices.” The results are more stark than previously imagined. -acs

Freedom of the Press Foundation. Google hides search results related to tech executive Maury Blackman

Following Jack Poulson's exposé on Maury Blackman's domestic violence, published on Freedom of the Press in 2024, the tech CEO resigned from Premise Data Corp. and subsequently sued Poulson. Despite Blackman's efforts, the lawsuit failed. Now, in 2025, Blackman appears to be using a Google loophole to salvage his reputation, or at least, hide his nefarious past. -acs

NYT. The Paramount-Skydance merger is more intricate than we thought

Last week, the FTC approved a multi-billion dollar merger between mass media companies Paramount and Skydance. While a win for shareholders, the inner workings of this deal are more troubling than initially understood. For instance, to move forward, "the merged company cannot refuse to place ads on websites for political reasons," raising concerns about the merger's true intentions. -acs

Unesco. Audrey Azoulay calls for formal investigation into death of journalist Moamen Abu AlOuf

Moamen Abu AlOuf is one of at least 56 journalists killed while working in Palestine since October 2023. He died in June 2025 while covering rescue efforts by medical teams in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City following an airstrike; he was hit by tank artillery fire, which also killed three paramedics. UNESCO's director says this killing, along with the 55 others since 2023, violates UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which ensures journalist protection during armed conflicts. -acs

LatAm Journalism Review. Venezuelan journalist held for 100 days without trial

Press unions in Venezuela, including the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), are demanding the immediate release of journalist Nakary Mena Ramos who has spent 100 days in detention without a trial as of July 17, 2025. Ramos, the only woman among 20 imprisoned journalists, faces charges of inciting hatred and spreading false information related to a report on insecurity and was arrested alongside her husband, videographer Gianni González. -acs

AP. Exile or prison: the state of reporting in El Salvador

El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, describes himself as “the world’s coolest dictator” hailing bitcoin, pandering to the USA’s right wing, and arresting 1% of his own population. Meanwhile, journalists, and academics at large, are fleeing the country with the understanding that staying put means certain danger. -acs

CJR. FCC approves Skydance-Paramount merger, prompting concern for freedom of speech

Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump has faced criticism for undermining editorial independence and setting a dangerous precedent. The Freedom of the Press Foundation argues the settlement was tied to regulatory approval for Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, raising concerns about political pressure and corporate influence. -acs

Poynter. Trump Sues Wall Street Journal over Epstein-Trump Piece

In a familiar series-of-events, Trump sues Rupert Murdoch’s publication for running a piece regarding a lewd birthday card that the president wrote convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. This brings forth a bigger problem for journalists: is American media intimidation the new norm? -acs

RSF. Filipino Radio Host Murdered in Bislig city

Erwin “Boy Pana” Segovia was shot in the head while riding his motorcycle on July 21, 2025. Famous for his radio show Diritsahan!, he often discussed politics and social issues. Segovia is the fifth radio journalist killed in the Philippines since June 2022. -acs

Nieman Lab. Nieman’s legacy and threats against the free press

“No soil, Kostyuchenko says, is immune to the growth of fascism.” The Neiman Lab examines the challenges investigative reporters face at home and abroad, noting that the US is ‘“is experiencing its first significant and prolonged decline in press freedom in modern history.”’ -acs

Editor & Publisher. AFP says their last Gaza journalists will die if conditions do not improve

AFP wants to extract their journalists from Gaza, but cannot do so without Israel’s permission. Meanwhile, nearly no aid has entered the region as many face severe malnutrition. -acs

NPR. Senate approves $9 Billion recision from public broadcasting

This decision will have a greater impact than just closure of local stations, it will affect weather warnings and other emergency broadcasts in rural areas potentially putting these communities at high risk for tragedy. Republicans, like senator Ted Cruz, defend their votes by claiming public broadcasting '"has long been overtaken by partisan activists,”’ and our tax dollars should not be used to fund such networks. -acs

The Washington Post. Academic freedom and speech slashed at Texas colleges, what comes next?

A new loss for Constitutional rights has landed in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has helped sign away the rights of First Amendment users on public college and university campuses. What exactly does this include? The prevention of loosely defined "expressive activity" that "intimidates others" or "interferes" with an employee’s duties, and most importantly, "any expressive activity between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m." This is so loosely defined that any public political expression conducted between these hours is punishable by sanctions. -acs

Poynter. Foreign-born journalists censor themselves to protect against changes in US policy

Foreign journalists, drawn to the US for its press freedom, now face scrutiny and deportation threats. According to the Poynter Institute, "some non-citizen journalists working in the U.S. have started to censor themselves, wiping their social media accounts and avoiding making statements that could be construed as criticism of the administration." -acs

International Press Institute. Press freedom groups condemn imprisonment of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli

The Georgian Dream party has harshly cracked down on journalists since taking power, imprisoning, harassing, beating, detaining, smearing, and fining the free press. Mzia Amaglobeli, a recent target of these attacks, is regarded by the IPI as "a highly respected, veteran journalist known for her commitment to journalistic ethics and independence." -acb

Freedom of the Press Foundation. NJ reporters face unconstitutional charges for refusing to delete their coverage

Two Redbank, NJ journalists face prosecution for refusing to remove a previously publish police blotting from a news website. This comes as yet another attack on the free press after similar cases in California, Alabama, and Mississippi occurred in the past two years. Freedom of the Press points out the frivolity of this case, noting that "the Supreme Court has held over and over that journalists are entitled to publish truthful information they lawfully obtain, in cases dealing with matters as sensitive as closed juvenile court proceedings and identities of rape victims." -acb

Columbia Journalism Review. How Local Reporters navigate threats to their livelihood

Steven Monacelli is no stranger to death threats or doxxing. Amanda Moore has stalkers. Ever since they began their coverage of far-right extremism, harassment has closely followed, and it has never gotten easier to process. Because extremist groups are more locally potent, staying nearby to cover them is essential, but safety is not guaranteed. -acb

PEN America. Threats against Pulitzer-Winning editorial cartoonist reflect ongoing hostility on the free press

According to PEN America ‘“the threats against Adam Zyglis are a chilling attempt to intimidate an editorial cartoonist for doing his job,” in a time where free press is already under high alert. -acb

NiemanLab. An up-to-date study reveals that the news is facing a “severe” shortage of local journalists in the U.S.

According to data released by Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News one-third of US counties have less than one full-time journalist. Even more populated counties have the equivalent of about 8.2, revealing a ginormous shortage in local reporting in the United States. -acb

Columbia Journalism Review. Paramount pays Trump $16 million over 60 Minutes lawsuit

Paramount bends its knee to Trump admin lawsuit, becoming the second to do so in the last year after ABC's capitulation. This marks the beginning to the end of big-media standing up against censorship, with CJR claiming "'they’d be mistaken to believe appeasing Trump today will stop his attacks in the future."' -acs

KETV. Even after bond agreement, Spanish-language journalist remains detained in Federal custody

According to press in Atlanta, "A week after an immigration judge granted him bond, [Mario Guevara] a Spanish-language journalist who was arrested while covering a protest last month is still in federal custody." Despite his family's ability to pay the $7500 bond and Guevara authorization to work in the United States, his release has been denied. Instead, ICE has moved him to three different jails in the past few weeks to withhold release. -acs

PEER. Trump's expansions on free speech appear to be conditional as EPA employees remain suspended for "declaration of dissent"

EPA employees [were placed] on paid leave “through July 17 pending an administrative investigation" due to their disagreement with the environmental goals and budget cuts of the current administration. This comes after the addition of Trump's executive order dubbed “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship,” which states that “government censorship of speech is intolerable in a free society.” Yet, employees of the EPA are facing punishment for this very act. -acs

The New York Times. I.R.S. maintains that houses of worship who endorse politicians can stay tax exempt

At a time when free speech at media agencies is scrutinized for political alignment, another major influence remains untouched by Washington. Houses of worship are now allowed to maintain their non-profit, tax-exempt status while endorsing candidates. After a years-long battle for this right, "the I.R.S. agreed to a narrower carveout — one that experts in nonprofit law said might sharply increase politicking in churches, even though it mainly seemed to formalize what already seemed to be the agency’s unspoken policy." -acs

Axios. Press Club alleges LAPD targeted journalists in demonstrations

"Being a journalist in Los Angeles is now a dangerous profession." So says the opening sentence of a lawsuit brought by the LA Press against Los Angeles and LAPD in US District Court. -acs

Guardian. Saudi journalist tweeted against the government, and was executed

The death of Turki al-Jasser was the first high-profile killing of a journalist since the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi. -gjw

Index on Censorship. Exiled Afghan journalist urges UK to provide protection to those endangered for telling the truth

Offers for asylum have greatly diminished in the Western world as truthful journalism grows both more important and dangerous. Journalist Zahra Joya deems this "a clear violation of international human rights laws, which recognise freedom of expression as one of the foundations of a just and democratic society." -acs

Politico. Journalists in Gaza starve as extended blockade has completely exhausted resources

"Every day, [journalists] juggle survival and reporting — and both are slipping." Committee to Protect Journalists covers the battle for local coverage and basic necessities in Gaza as war booms on. -acs

RSF. Reporters Sans Frontières calls on Nepalese authorities to protect journalists, citing recent killings and restrictive lawss

RSF members Thibaut Bruttin, and Binod Dhungel urge Nepal's government to prioritize "protecting journalists, supporting independent outlets and guaranteeing access to information of public interest." This comes as a part of larger effort to ensure citizens’ rights to trustworthy information. -acs

Brown. Brown University study identifies "news graveyards," detailing the cost of war as measured by Journalist fatalities

"Reliable information about wars and conflicts is essential for the wellbeing of local populations and is necessary to enlighten the world on the forces behind wars and the toll on civilians." Nick Turse highlights the impact that "news graveyards" have on the course of history, cultural lagacy, and vulnerable populations. -acs

Amnesty Intl. Azerbaijani authorities crack down on Abzas Media, sentencing seven Journalists to serve time in prison

A member of the Council of Europe since 2001, Azerbaijan has the highest number of imprisoned media workers in the group, with at least 25 journalists currently imprisoned. The sentencing of Abzas Meida members comes as no shock, highlighting a greater issue on the safety of journalists and their right to report the truth. -acs

NPR. Amidst widespread government layoffs, Voice of America Radio does not escape unscathed

In an era where objective news dwindles, budget cuts take public radio to the chopping block. "About 1,400 jobs, or 85% of positions, are being cut at the U.S. Agency for Global Media" this includes valuable cultural programming and news coverage by Voice of America, now all but gutted by these changes. -acs

RSF. The war in Iran has already killed journalists, now the RSF calls for their safety and protection

Rather than liberate journalists, Israel’s strikes reinforced the Iranian regime’s narrative that those loyal to the regime are victims and reporters critical of the authorities are enemies, dangerously escalating the price of free speech. -acs

PEN America. Writers organizations condemn attack on journalists by LA police during protests against ICE raids

First Amendment Coalition, Freedom of the Press Foundation, and Los Angeles Press Club condemned attacks on journalists covering immigration protests in the Los Angeles area. -gjw

NBC. Tom Homan, executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations, threatens California governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass

He did not accuse any politician of impeding enforcement, and when asked about Bass specifically, said that he doesn’t believe “she’s crossed the line yet. -gjw

The Wrap. NYT Publisher Blasts Trump for Anti-Media Rhetoric, Says Free Press Is ‘Under Direct Attack’

“Effectively, in his first term, President Trump exported his anti-press rhetoric to illiberal leaders abroad. Those leaders took that rhetoric as permission to develop and implement an aggressive new playbook for cracking down on journalists.” -A.G. Sulzberger

Columbia Journalism Review. Rural and Tribal Public Radio Stations Brace for Funding Cuts

President Donald Trump’s executive order could wipe out funding appropriated through 2026 and 2027, endangering stations that already operate on razor-thin margins. “If CPB funding disappears, I don’t know how we’d survive,” said Cindy Sweat, KSTK’s general manager. -acb

Current. White House proposes eliminating CPB’s funding in FY26 budget plan

“The recommended funding levels result from a rigorous, line-by-line review of FY 2025 spending, which was found to be laden with spending contrary to the needs of ordinary working Americans and tilted toward funding niche non-governmental organizations and institutions of higher education committed to radical gender and climate ideologies antithetical to the American way of life.” quotes Russell Vought -Director, White House Office of Management and Budget

The Conversation (US). The attack on public broadcasting is part of a growing threat to press freedom and democracy

In the grab to reclaim power from the people, authoritarians and the oligarchs who support them recoil from criticism and dissent, demanding that all people support government positions regardless of the rationality of their claims. - Lorry-Ann Austin -Assistant Professor, Social Work and Human Services, Thompson Rivers University

Variety. Democratic Senators Urge Paramount’s Shari Redstone to Fight Trump’s ‘Bogus’ Lawsuit

“This lawsuit is an attack on the United States Constitution and the First Amendment. It has absolutely no merit and it cannot stand,” the senators wrote in the letter, dated May 7. -acb

The Guardian. Journalist taking Trump administration to court for shutdown of VOA

The lawsuit, backed by Reporters Without Borders and four unions, argues the Trump administration, through the actions of the defendants, USAGM, and the government’s special adviser Kari Lake, are attempting to unlawfully dismantle VOA’s operations because they deem it contrary to the government’s agenda.

NiemanLab. Gannett “adapting to the evolving regulatory environment” by removing DEI information from website

Company removes all mention of DEI. “While we will no longer publish workforce demographic metrics or sustainability and inclusion reports, Gannett is deeply committed to our ethical business model,” Lark-Marie Antón, Gannett’s chief communications officer said. -acb

Access Now. UPDATE: World Press Freedom Day

Highlighting some of the most persistent threats to journalism: the ongoing rise of spyware, persistent attacks on encryption, increased disinformation, and a spate of new laws to enacting to silencing of journalists. -acb

AP. Nicaragua is quitting the UNESCO agency over a press freedom award to La Prensa.

A jury of media professionals recommended Nicaragua’s La Prensa for the 2025 award. The newspaper, founded in 1926, “has made courageous efforts to report the truth to the people of Nicaragua.” -acb

Nieman Lab. Silence and belt-tightening: Environmental Journalism under threat

Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference update: Gone are the major sponsors under the Biden Administration: the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, Deloitte, The Ocean Conservancy, and US government experts. -acb

CPJ. Palestinian reporters Hossam Shabat & Mohammed Mansour killed by IDF

Committee to Protect Journalists questions whether they were deliberately targeted by Israeli forces (journalists are protected under the Geneva Conventions, of which Israel is a signatory). -gjw

CPJ. Pakistan authorities detain independent journalist Farhan Mallick in Karachi

Mallick, founder of the independent online media platform Raftar, was arrested on accusations of running “several programs against the security establishment.” -gjw

RSF. Trump sued in effort to restore VOA

Reporters Without Borders joined VOA employees and their unions in filing a legal complaint against the US Agency for Global Media, the federal agency that oversees VOA, as well as USAGM Senior Advisor Kari Lake and Acting CEO Victor Morales. -gjw

ICIJ. Trump’s cuts threaten reporters with return to repressive regimes

Reporters for Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America could be forced to return to repressive countries where their lives or livelihoods are at risk following an executive order from Mr. Trump last week.

-gjw

WP. Trump is dismantling the free press. We need to stop him.

Dana Milbank’s forceful case for taking direct action against Trump’s broad crackdown on civil liberties. - gjw

Citizen Lab, Munk School, U-Toronto. Banned Books: Analysis of Censorship on Amazon.com

In a deeply researched study, University of Toronto researchers found 17,050 products that Amazon restricted from being shipped to at least one world region. Heaviest censorship involved wifi products and LGBT materials; the most restricted destinations were UAE, Saudia Arabia; other Mid-East countries. - gjw

CJR. The Last Days at Voice of America

VOA reporter Liam Scott documents the end of Voice of America. - gjw

Stet News. Exclusive: Gannett fires Post editorial page editor
Backlash over cartoon viewed as antisemitic leads to Tony Doris’ removal at The Palm Beach Post. - ab

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Media21 outlet shuttered, 4 journalists arrested in Iraq
Security forces closed the outlet’s office in Sulaymaniyah on March 1, saying it lacked a license, confiscated several computers, and ordered staff not to return to work, according to two sources who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity. - ab

IFJ. Journalist arrested in Zimbabwe, charged with inciting violence
Journalist Blessed Mhlanga was charged for publishing an interview with member of the former ruling party. - gjw

Mondaq. Press Freedom In India: Still ranks low, according to World Press Freedom report for 2024
The world’s largest democracy is listed behind Pakistan and Sri Lanka according to a report published by Reporters Without Borders. India has taken pride in its democratic ideals: The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of speech and expression, which include freedom of press. - dg

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). UPDATE: Vietnamese journalist Truong Huy San sentenced to 30 months in prison
Hanoi’s People’s Court sentenced Vietnamese journalist Truong Huy San to 30 months in prison on Thursday under a criminal provision that bars “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the State.” - ab

The New York Times. Washington Post opinion editor resigns after owner Jeff Bezos reduces permissible viewpoints
Owner Jeff Bezos has stated that The Washington Post opinion page would promote “personal liberties and free markets,” and decreed that no opposing viewpoints would be allowed. David Shipley, opinion page editor, left his roll after the announcement. The decision to reduce the viewpoints of the opinion pages is regarded as a startling retreat from its historical approach to political and economic content. - dg

Reuters. British journalist missing in Brazil
British journalist who was declared missing a fortnight ago after being seen boarding a bus in Sao Paulo is believed to have “voluntarily disappeared,” Brazilian authorities say. - ab

The Guardian. ‘We have nothing now’: Myanmar’s exiled media face existential crisis after Trump severs aid
“The horrible USAid, the horrible things that they’re spending money on,” Trump said of his shock move to freeze funds to the United States Agency for Development. “It’s got to be kickbacks.” But in Mae Sot, home to about 300 exiled journalists from Myanmar, USAid money is spent supporting independent journalism. - ab

Politico. AP sues Trump officials after being barred from some White House events
Trump administration bars news sites from various locations. AP fights back. - ab

Harvard Kennedy School. Oligarchy in the open: What happens now as the U.S. is forced to confront its plutocracy problem?
Few will be surprised to learn that political outcomes overwhelmingly favor very wealthy people, corporations, and business groups. Recent studies have shown that the influence of ordinary American citizens was at a “non-significant, near-zero level, and the presidential campaign witnessed record support by billionaires. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Archon Fung and Harvard Law School Professor Larry Lessig write that 2024 could be a turning point that will force Americans to confront the country’s trend toward rule by the wealthy. - dg

Persuasion. A New Threat to the Freedom of the Press
President Trump and many of his allies have either explicitly or implicitly called for the Supreme Court to overturn Sullivan, with Trump in 2016 saying he wanted to “open up” libel laws. - ab

Mother Jones. Centralized media ownership continues to worsen in recent decades
In 1983, journalists reported on what came to be called “media monopolies” in newspapers, radio, and television. Today, even smaller numbers of media companies control news reporting and distribution. Media operations have fewer options than ever regarding their independence, as hedge funds and private investment companies continue to buy up media they believe can be profitable, with little care concerning the reliability of journalism. - dg

CJR. NPR and PBS face a moment of truth
FCC Chair Brendan Carr is investigating NPR and PBS for possible commercial violations, raising concerns about public media funding. - jy
European Federation of Journalists. EFJ stands in solidarity with American journalists against Trump administration
The EFJ has shown support for American journalists targeted by the Trump administration, denouncing government actions against press freedom, labor rights, and migrant protections, while calling for worldwide solidarity in safeguarding journalism. - jy

Guardian. Mississippi judge orders removal of editorial in violation of First Amendment
A judge in Mississippi directed a newspaper to retract an editorial that criticized local officials, drawing criticism from press freedom advocates who argue the ruling violates First Amendment protections. - jy
Editor & Publisher. What happens when a city silences a newspaper? An inside look at the Clarksdale censorship case
The removal of an editorial by The Clarksdale Press Register raises major First Amendment concerns, threatening local journalism nationwide. - jy
CPJ. Vietnamese journalist Truong Huy San indicted for ‘abusing democratic freedoms’
Truong Huy San has been charged under Article 331 for allegedly "abusing democratic freedoms" through his Facebook posts, facing a potential seven year prison sentence. - jy
CPJ. Egypt blocks independent media outlet Zawia3 over investigative reporting
Egyptian authorities shut down Zawia3, a Brussels-based outlet, in a move condemned by the CPJ as part of the ongoing crackdown on independent journalism. - jy
GIJN. The USAID Crisis and Funding the Future of Independent Media
The Trump administration's freeze on USAID funding has endangered global independent media, increasing risks for journalists, and forcing newsrooms to seek new funding. - jy
CBS News. 2024 was deadliest year for journalists with 124 reporters killed, Committee to Protect Journalists says
In 2024, 124 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, primarily Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war, with others dying in Sudan, Pakistan, Mexico, and Syria. - jy
BBC. Journalist's murder highlights risks of reporting in small-town India
Indian journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was murdered after investigating corruption in Chhattisgarh, highlighting the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones. - jy

Dallas Morning News. UT-Dallas in fight over student press 

Internal conflicts between students and administrators at the University of Texas at Dallas have sparked debates over student media oversight and editorial freedom. - jy 

Reuters. Azerbaijan, under fire over press freedom, arrests two more journalists 

Azerbaijan has arrested two more journalists on smuggling charges amid ongoing crackdowns on the press, drawing further Western criticism over its human rights record. - jy 

KQED. FCC investigates SF radio station for ICE reporting, sparking press freedom fear

The FCC is investigating KCBS for reporting on ICE operations, raising concerns about press freedom and government overreach. - jy

NYT. Soon-Shiong blocks L.A. Times editorial on Trump’s cabinet picks 

L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong thinks he’s creating balance. Katie Robertson gives inside details of the decline of LAT’s editorial independence.

- gjw

NYT. Trump’s Plan to Crush the Academic Left

Chris Rufo is influencing Trump’s administration to target D.E.I. programs and leftist ideologies in academia through investigations and executive orders. Critics warn these efforts could erode academic freedom and free speech. - jy
Alaska Register. Anchorage Daily News owner refuses to recognize guild, hires union-busting lawyers

Ryan Binkley, the head of the group that owns the Anchorage Daily News, has rejected newsroom workers’ request to voluntarily recognize their union. The employees claim Binkley’s decision hinders efforts to address stagnant wages and improve workplace sustainability. - jy

Guardian. Attacks on press freedom around the world are intensifying

UNESCO. Threats to freedom of press: Violence, disinformation & censorship

WP. This company rates news sites’ credibility. The right wants it stopped.

UN. Freedom of the press under attack worldwide

AP. Man accused of attacking TV reporter, saying ‘This is Trump’s America now’

RFE/RL. U.S. Condemns Tehran Court's 10-Year Sentence For Iranian-American Journalist

Guardian. Italian journalist arrested and held in solitary confinement in Iran

Times of London. Medvedev threatens The Times over coverage of Russian general’s killing

The Independent. Trump’s war on the press is straight out of the Putin playbook

The Independent. LA Times staffers say billionaire owner’s pro-Trump meddling worse than previously reported

Guardian. Trump planning to target progressive non-profits

Bulwark. The Real Scandal of Our Media Tycoons

CNN. ABC News settles defamation suit with Trump for $15 million

The Hill. Trump sues Des Moines Register

BBC. Top Indian fact-checker in court for post calling out hate speech

AP. Journalists anticipate a renewed hostility toward their work under the incoming Trump administration

NYT. Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage

Jacobin. The Press Is Complicit in America’s Health Care Deaths

NPR. Top 'Washington Post' editor kills article on deputy's departure

News Busters. Censoring the News

RI. X has been blocked in Brazil. Does it matter for journalism?

CNN. Senate GOP blocks bill to protect journalists after Trump opposes it

PBS. Researchers report stunning surge of misogyny after the election

NYT. Soon-Shiong blocks L.A. Times editorial on Trump’s cabinet picks     

BBC. Kari Lake to lead Voice of America

RSF. Syria: RSF calls for Bashar al-Assad to be prosecuted for the murder of 181 journalists since the 2011 revolution

NYT. Meet the Florida Billionaire Who Wants to Be a Newspaper Baron

Quillette. Sanitising a Paranoid Crank

Truthout. DeSantis Administration Threatens News Station for Airing Abortion Amendment Ad

Times of London. British-Israeli journalist arrested in Hezbollah-controlled Beirut suburb

Times of Israel. German Reporter Arrested in Lebanon After Giving Live Interview to Israeli TV from Beirut

Local News Initiative. Local News Landscape

Axios. DOJ charges IRGC official in alleged plot to assassinate American journalist

The Paper. Israeli govt boycott of Haaretz part of ‘onslaught on press freedom’

Guardian. China sentences journalist to seven years on spy charges

CBS. Austin Tice, journalist kidnapped in Syria, alive and well, says family

Guardian. ‘It brings back a sense of belonging’: Bakhmut was destroyed by Russia – but the town lives on through its newspaper

NYT. Cash, Kidnappings and Luxury Resorts: A Formula for Power in Modi’s India

AI. East and So. Africa: Journalists targeted amid ongoing crackdown on media

VOA. Russian journalism archive aims to protect independent voices from media suppression

Guardian. Attacks on press freedom around the world are intensifying, index reveals

Guardian. Ronan Farrow on surveillance spyware: ‘It threatens democracy and freedom

GIJN. How Georgia Is Following a Russian Legal Blueprint to Suppress Independent Journalism

RSF. Pressure, intimidation, and censorship: Israeli journalists have faced growing repression in the past year

BBC. Police defend investigation into journalist's social media post

BBC. Mozambique social media restricted as runner-up in hiding

BBC. World's longest detained journalist wins rights prize

Aljazeera. Mauritius blocks social media until after election in wiretapping row

CPJ. Journalist stabbed 21 times in Iraqi Kurdistan after reporting on corruption

Independent. More than 100 BBC staff accuse broadcaster of Israel bias in Gaza coverage

CNN. America’s largest newspaper chain, including USA Today, won’t endorse in 2024 presidential race

Al Jazeera. CNN bans conservative commentator after verbal attack on Mehdi Hasan

Guardian. Australia rejects visa application by rightwing US pundit Candace Owens

Guardian. Bezos faces criticism after executives met with Trump on day of Post’s non-endorsement

AP. Two more LA Times editorial board members resign after the paper withholds a Harris endorsement

NPR. Did the 'L.A. Times' and other news outlets pull punches to appease Trump?

Media Freedom Rapid Response/EU. Between 2016 and 2023, 1,333 lawsuits were filed against journalists and media in Croatia

RSF. Gautam Navlakha and Prabir Purkayastha of Newsclick, and Aasif Sultan of Kashmir Narrator charged, held under terrorism law

Defense News. Sightline urges India to provide information on arrested reporter

IJNet. Nigerian journalists are under attack amid nationwide protests

Guardian. Judge slaps down Florida effort to ban abortion ad: ‘It’s the first amendment, stupid’

USA Today. Meteorologists respond to backlash, death threats over claims that Helene, Milton were man-made hurricanes

AP. Ex-Las Vegas-area Democratic politician gets at least 28 years in prison for killing reporter

AP. Nevada high court ends casino mogul Steve Wynn’s defamation suit against The Associated Press

The Hill. FCC chair rebukes Trump’s calls to revoke CBS, ABC broadcast licenses

Guardian. Venezuela has cancelled passports of dozens of activists and journalists

The Dissenter. US Journalist Released From Israeli Detention, Barred From Leaving Country

Truthout. Finally Free, Assange Receives a Measure of Justice From the Council of Europe

Truthout. DeSantis Administration Threatens News Station for Airing Abortion Amendment Ad

Times of London. British-Israeli journalist arrested in Hezbollah-controlled Beirut suburb

Times of Israel. German reporter was arrested in Lebanon after giving live interview to Israeli TV from Beirut

AP. Hong Kong court sentences editor to 21 months in jail in a case seen as a barometer of press freedom

AP. A Cambodian reporter who exposed scams charged over online posts