Disinfo campaign threatens journalists’ lives in Gaza
A group called HonestReporting published a report insinuating that any freelance photojournalist who took pictures during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel must have collaborated with Hamas and speculating, “[d]id the photojournalists who freelance for other media, like CNN and The New York Times, notify these outlets?”
Subsequent analysis – which HonestReporting didn’t bother to conduct before publishing — confirms the stringers were not present at the start of the attack. And HonestReporting itself admitted it had no proof for the outrageous claim that U.S. news outlets had advance notice.
But that hasn’t stopped other news outlets, Israeli officials, and one American senator from accusing the media of complicity with Hamas. Tellingly, none of those concerned about over-reliance on Gazan freelancers have urged Israel to allow foreign journalists access to cover the war themselves.
Read our discussion of HonestReporting’s reckless disinformation campaign and what the Biden administration needs to do to mitigate the harm it caused.
Stop the Kids Online Safety Act
The Senate is reportedly trying to quickly push through the Kids Online Safety Act. As we’ve explained, KOSA is a censorship bill that will mean less access to online information — including journalism — for everyone, not just kids. Contact your senator today and tell them to stop KOSA.
#FreeAlsu: U.S. must designate journalist as wrongfully detained
Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen and reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been imprisoned in Russia since October for allegedly violating Russia’s notorious “foreign agents” law. She’s the second American journalist imprisoned in Russia this year, following the bogus espionage charges brought against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in March.
There are simple steps the Biden administration can take — but inexplicably hasn’t yet — to help her get home. Read more about what the U.S. could be doing, and contact your representative in Congress to tell them to urge Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to immediately designate Kurmasheva as wrongfully detained.
Are journalists raided because they’re doing their jobs too well?
Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Deputy Director of Advocacy Caitlin Vogus spoke about the FBI raid on journalist Tim Burke’s home newsroom and its connection to other recent press freedom threats on the National Press Club’s “Update-1” podcast.
More than 50 press freedom organizations have sent a letter (PDF) to the Department of Justice demanding transparency about the raid and the investigation. The DOJ has not responded.
Press freedom in Gaza
Journalists make up only a tiny fraction of the casualties of the war in Gaza. Their deaths are no more or less tragic than anyone else’s. But journalists can only tell the stories of all the others impacted by the war if they can report without fear of being targeted.
Here are some recent stories about the dire situation the press is facing as it attempts to cover the most deadly war for journalists in recent memory.
Israel-Hamas war takes deadly toll on journalists covering the conflict
We were interviewing a Palestinian farmer. Then the drone and soldiers appeared
Gaza’s journalists rush to document Israeli bombardments. Dozens have paid with their lives
‘There has never been less tolerance for this’: Inside a New York Times Magazine writer’s exit over Gaza letter
Hundreds of journalists sign letter protesting coverage of Israel
What we’re reading
Ocasio-Cortez, Greene among lawmakers urging Biden to drop Assange extradition, prosecution. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are urging the Biden administration to drop its prosecution of Julian Assange because it “risks criminalizing common journalistic practices and thus chilling the work of the free press.”
Well, it looks like pretty much every government agency was complicit in the raid of a small town newspaper. The Kansas Reflector and others have been doggedly reporting on the negligence, corruption, and deceit by government agencies involved in the August raid of the Marion County Record. TechDirt explains: “When the small town paper fought back, most of those involved did everything they could to pretend they weren’t complicit.”
US privacy groups urge Senate not to ram through NSA spying powers. Short-term reauthorization of FISA Section 702 warrantless surveillance powers threatens journalists, activists and other Americans. FPF joined more than 25 other civil society organizations urging Sen. Chuck Schumer not to allow it.
FPF Live: Bad Press
Join us for a screening of the documentary film “Bad Press,” which follows Mvskoke Media, a news outlet based in the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, and its reporter Angel Ellis, as they fight against censorship and other threats to their newsgathering. The film’s New York theatrical premiere is at Manhattan’s Firehouse Cinema on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Ellis and the film’s directors, Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler, moderated by FPF Executive Director Trevor Timm. Get your ticket here.
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