U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

🧵 For Student Press Freedom Day today, the U.S. Press Tracker is looking back at 2025 and documenting the start of 2026, where already three student journalists have been assaulted at protests and a fourth caught in tear gas fired by federal officers. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

BREAKING: Estefany Rodríguez of @NashNoticias was released from an ICE facility in Louisiana today, two weeks after her arrest in a news vehicle in Nashville, TN. Rodríguez argued in federal court the arrest was in retaliation for her reporting on ICE. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

For years, our loyal supporters have asked: Besides donating, how can we help you defend press freedom? Well, now you can with our brand new action center — the tool enables you to seamlessly contact your elected representatives. Take action today: freedom.press/action/

If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish. Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us

The Pentagon tightened control over @StarsAndStripes on March 9, restricting wire stories and ordering content be consistent with military’s “good order and discipline.” Ombudsman and press freedom advocates say the moves threaten editorial independence. #March%209" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

On March 14, @BrendanCarrFCC threatened to revoke the licenses of broadcasters that he asserts are “running hoaxes and news distortions,” and quoted a post from @realDonaldTrump in which the president complained about news outlets’ Iran war coverage. #March%2014" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

A Memphis, TN, radio station is still only operating during daytime hours, after major equipment damage from a copper theft in May 2025 shut down the Spanish-language AM broadcaster for six months. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

Pentagon excluded photojournalists from news briefings at its Washington, D.C.-area headquarters March 4 and March 10. @WashingtonPost reported the decision came after staff complained about “unflattering” photos of Defense Secretary @PeteHegseth. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish. Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us

Estefany Rodríguez of @NashNoticias was arrested March 4 by @ICEGov in Tennessee. The Spanish-language reporter is still being held and filed a federal suit alleging the arrest violated her constitutional rights and was in retaliation for her reporting. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

Update: Oregon journalists won preliminary injunction against @DHSgov on March 9, limiting agents’s use of chemical and projectile munitions, and pepper spray, at the Portland ICE building. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

Update: Appeals court vacates preliminary injunction won by Chicago journalists and press groups that restricted federal agents’ violent tactics at immigration protests there; the March 5 ruling called the injunction “constitutionally suspect.” pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

Independent documentarian @PeoplesAperture was wearing a vest, helmet and badge clearly marked as press when he was shoved by a @HennepinSheriff deputy while covering a protest outside a federal building in Fort Snelling, Minnesota on March 1. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

Photographer Junn Bollmann was arrested in LA on Friday after being indicted on the same civil rights charges as journalists Don Lemon and @ByGeorgiaFort for covering January protests at a MN church. Federal agents also seized his devices: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish. Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us

FBI knocks on reporter’s door; plus, Student Press Freedom Day. Read this and more in our monthly newsletter from Tracker Managing Editor Kirstin McCudden (and subscribe): pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/record-nu…

Update: A newsletter publisher couple in Massachusetts who were severely harassed and stalked by seven eBay employees starting in 2019 settled their federal lawsuit against them and the company Feb. 25. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

To learn more about Student Press Freedom Day — as well as about legal help and resources available for student journalists, visit @SPLC. splc.org

One student journalist, Jeremy Cuenca, was struck by impact projectiles while covering a June immigration protest in LA for his school newspaper, the Collegian. He was hit first in the leg, but the second impact — to his hand — nearly severed a finger. pressfreedomtrackfer.us/all-incidents/…

🧵 For Student Press Freedom Day today, the U.S. Press Tracker is looking back at 2025 and documenting the start of 2026, where already three student journalists have been assaulted at protests and a fourth caught in tear gas fired by federal officers. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…