The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a comprehensive database of press freedom incidents in the United States. border and physical attacks.
Press Freedom Tracker is a comprehensive database of press freedom incidents in the United States — everything from arrests of journalists and the seizure of their equipment to interrogations at the U.S. The Press Freedom Tracker documents incidents across the country, involving national, state and local authorities.
31/10/2025
Freelance photojournalist Matthew Kaplan was shot in the hip two to three times with pepper balls while covering protests outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Sept. 26.
The chemical irritant powder coated him and one of his cameras.
Freelance photojournalist Matthew Kaplan was shot with multiple crowd-control munitions fired by federal officers while covering protests outside a U.S. …
30/10/2025
More assaults of journalists this year than the last two years combined, our interview with deported journalist Mario Guevara, and more in this month’s Tracker newsletter by managing editor Kirstin McCudden.
Dear Friend of Press Freedom,I’m starting this month with a roundup of notable incidents and updates — and there have …
30/10/2025
Update: Two men were sentenced in New York on Oct. 29 to 25 years in prison for their role in a murder-for-hire plot against Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.
Brooklyn, New York-based Iranian journalist and writer Masih Alinejad was the target of an international kidnapping plot, according to a …
29/10/2025
Indiana University ordered its student-run newspaper to cease all print publication Oct. 15, less than one day after the administration fired the student newspaper’s adviser.
Administrators at Indiana University Bloomington fired the adviser to the Indiana Daily Student on Oct. 14, 2025, and then hours …
27/10/2025
A federal appeals court upheld a preliminary injunction Oct. 23, protecting DC-based nonprofit MMFA from the Federal Trade Commission’s demand for a trove of documents related to Media Matters’ alleged “collusion” with advertisers on X.
Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson joined Trump in taking steps to …
24/10/2025
Freelance photojournalist Ted Soqui was struck in the back by a crowd-control munition fired by LAPD while covering a “No Kings” protest in LA on Oct. 18.
The munition chipped his protective body armor.
Freelance photojournalist Ted Soqui was struck in the back with a crowd-control munition fired by police officers while he was …
23/10/2025
Reporter Ryanne Mena was shoved by a police officer, then struck with a baton by mounted police while documenting the Oct. 18 “No Kings” protest in downtown LA — despite wearing visible press credentials and a vest labeled “PRESS.”
Los Angeles Daily News reporter Ryanne Mena was pushed by police and struck with a baton by an officer on …
23/10/2025
Photojournalist Nick Stern was knocked to the ground by a mounted LAPD officer and threatened with arrest while covering a “No Kings” protest in downtown LA on Oct. 18.
Independent photojournalist Nick Stern was felled by a policeman on horseback and threatened with arrest while covering a “No Kings” …
22/10/2025
Reporter Lexis-Olivier Ray was targeted by an LAPD officer firing a crowd-control munition during a “No Kings” protest in downtown LA on Oct. 18.
While dodging the round, Lexis-Olivier Ray, who was on assignment for L.A. Taco, fell and sustained bruises.
Lexis-Olivier Ray, an investigative reporter with L.A. Taco, was targeted by a police officer who fired a crowd-control round during …
22/10/2025
Independent journalist Wali Khan was struck with multiple pepper balls and a foam baton round while covering protests outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Sept. 26.
Almost all of his protective equipment was damaged as a result.
Independent journalist Wali Khan was shot with numerous crowd-control munitions by federal officers while covering protests outside a U.S. Immigration …
21/10/2025
Independent photojournalist Chana Shapiro was hit with numerous pepper balls and nearly run down by a government vehicle while covering a protest outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Sept. 19.
Independent photojournalist Chana Shapiro was hit multiple times with pepper balls fired by federal officers while covering a protest outside …
21/10/2025
Update: The lawsuit filed on behalf of journalist Mario Guevara that alleged ICE and other federal officials retaliated over his immigration reporting was voluntarily dismissed Oct. 6, days after his deportation to El Salvador.
Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language reporter who covers immigration issues, was arrested at an anti-Trump protest in Chamblee, Georgia, near Atlanta, …
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Our Story
Journalists in the United States face hostility from local and federal governments, along with a number of legal threats to themselves and their sources. This nonpartisan website launched in 2017 and aims to be the first to provide reliable, easy-to-access information on the number of press freedom violations in the United States—from journalists facing charges to reporters stopped at the U.S. border or asked to hand over their electronics.
When journalists are obstructed, so is the public’s right to be informed and hold power to account. The United States has some of the strongest legal free speech protections in the world, and serves as a beacon for press freedom in a world where journalists are routinely censored, attacked, or imprisoned for their work. But the U.S. record is imperfect, and journalists and advocates must tirelessly defend the First Amendment in courts, in legislatures, and in the media. Constant vigilance and an honest accounting of the country’s track record on press freedom are essential.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker brings together more than two dozen press freedom groups to create a centralized repository for research. The data we gather will help inform advocacy, journalism, and legal action.
The tracker is based on a coalition that shares knowledge about threats to press freedom across the country. Freedom of the Press Foundation, a press freedom advocacy organization, manages the day-to-day operations of the site. The Committee to Protect Journalists heads a steering committee that includes the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Reporters Without Borders, and Index on Censorship.
Our group of partners also includes professional societies, news organizations, and free expression advocates. The work would not be possible without their contributions.
