Reporters charged with committing ‘acts of journalism’ in 2023
Our U.S. Press Freedom Tracker just released its annual report on arrests of journalists. At first glance, it might look like good news — the Tracker recorded 12 arrests this year, fewer than last year’s 15 and exponentially fewer than 2020’s 146.
But beneath the surface are some troubling trends, including members of the press being cited for asking public officials questions, or arrested for publishing news and for documenting breaking news in the field. Read the full report and explore the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker’s full database to learn more. You can also read about or listen to a conversation between Tracker Senior Reporter Stephanie Sugars and FPF’s Director of Advocacy Seth Stern about the report and its implications for press freedom.
Media Matters investigation threatens the press
Billionaire bullies filing SLAPP lawsuits against reporting they don’t like is, unfortunately, nothing new. But it’s less common for state officials to add fuel to the anti-free speech fire by retaliating against the same reporting, even if it has nothing to do with them.
That’s what makes the recent legal attacks on Media Matters over its investigation into the advertising practices of X, formerly known as Twitter, unusual and all the more troubling. Not only has Elon Musk filed a meritless lawsuit against Media Matters, but conservative attorneys general in two states have opened baseless investigations. We wrote that the press should take note of these tactics, and of how Media Matters is fighting back. Media Matters is the current target but more traditional news outlets may be next.
UK high court will hear final appeal from Assange, but threat to press freedom remains
The High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom recently granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a final appeal hearing, to be held in February 2024. If the court doesn’t block Assange’s extradition and he’s returned to the United States, it will kick off a dangerous prosecution that threatens freedom of the press.
The Assange prosecution puts all journalists at risk, even if you don’t think Assange is one himself. If he’s convicted under the Espionage Act for obtaining and publishing classified documents, there will be nothing to stop future prosecutions of journalists for the exact same “crime.”
The Biden administration is all talk when it comes to dead journalists
Last month, we wrote about how journalists need to ask the Biden administration pointed questions about the record pace of journalist killings in the Israel-Gaza war. The good news is that the press has started to do its part by asking questions. The bad news is that Biden administration officials aren’t doing their part — by answering them in good faith.
Read more here about the latest example of Biden administration officials dodging questions on holding Israel accountable for journalist killings. The bottom line is this: The administration claims to care deeply about journalists’ freedom to cover the war without being targeted. It says it needs more information to figure out whether Israel, its ally that it continues to finance, is, in fact, targeting journalists. But in the same breath, it says it’s not going to bother seeking that information. In other words, the administration is all talk.
More recent reporting on the deadly situation for journalists covering the war is linked below.
The war in Gaza has been deadly for journalists
Where is the outrage over Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza?
Israeli police officers beat, injured Anadolu photographer Mustafa Alkharouf in Jerusalem
Schatz, Welch, Van Hollen, Kaine, Booker call on Biden to urge Israeli, Egyptian governments to allow journalists into Gaza, protect free press
What we’re reading
A CBS reporter refusing to reveal her sources could be held in contempt. Reporter Catherine Herridge may be held in contempt for refusing to reveal her confidential sources, and she may have to pay any fines personally. It’s a perfect example of why we need Congress to pass the PRESS Act.
After critical series, Cicero town president calls Independiente journalists ‘jerks’ and threatens to ban them from speaking at public meetings. Chicagoland politician Larry Dominick threatened to ban reporters from speaking at public meetings for not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance. But what could be more unpatriotic than denying journalists their First Amendment rights?
The fence will be tested. FPF Vice President of Editorial and Tracker Managing Editor Kirstin McCudden predicts that authorities in 2024 will continue testing constitutional safeguards for press freedom, much like the velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” tested the electric fences holding them in. “If the velociraptors taught us anything, it’s to keep throwing yourself at the fence — you never know when the electric grid may be shut off.”
Judge rules Assange visitors may sue CIA for allegedly violating privacy. A federal judge declined to throw out a suit by four U.S. attorneys and journalists over the CIA’s alleged copying of the contents of their electronic devices while they visited Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. That’s good news. The U.S. government should never be allowed to secretly spy on American journalists without a warrant.
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