Political affairs

Politico. Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers

A Politico investigation found more than 100 open records requests filed at 19 public universities over the past five years, targeting at least 30 climate researchers. The requests come from conservative organizations and seek emails, research drafts, correspondence with law firms and other documents. Legal experts call many of them "fishing expeditions." Reporters built the count from universities' online records portals and interviewed more than a dozen targeted academics.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). CPJ condemns Israeli threats against 'NAZA' filmmakers

CPJ condemned senior Israeli officials — including Culture Minister Miki Zohar and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir — for threatening legal action and possible citizenship revocation against filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor over their Gaza documentary "NAZA." The film, which won the Special Jury Prize at Venice, alleges Israeli forces used AI-powered targeting systems in civilian killings, and CPJ warned that such threats from senior officials risk chilling critical journalism.

CNN. America's courts keep defending the First Amendment as Trump tries to silence critics

Brian Stelter argues that U.S. courts keep upholding the First Amendment despite Trump's efforts to crack down on free speech and the press, calling it a glass-half-full reading of the media landscape after two judges ruled against Trump this week. One of those rulings came in DC and the other in Iowa. He places them in a longer record of judges rebuking the administration for violating the First Amendment rights of ICE critics, silencing Voice of America, and sending secret subpoenas to news outlets.

Committee to Protect Journalists. Leading news outlets issue statement in defense of a US free press

AP, Bloomberg, the New York Times, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post joined a CPJ-organized statement after Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The statement says the ban sets a dangerous precedent in which the president decides what Americans can know and from whom they can learn it.

Washington Post. CNN, MS NOW access unresolved as White House bars some journalists from state dinner event

Reporters from the three outlets got back in hours after the judge's order. CNN and MS NOW said some of their staff were still kept out of Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival ceremony.

Havana Times. Nicaraguan Journalist Luis Galeano Released on Bail in USA

The Café con Voz director was released after posting $10,000 bail, following 12 days in ICE custody after his arrest in Orlando while driving for Uber. His case isn't over: he has an immigration court hearing on Oct. 2.

WV MetroNews. Marshall alum at center of Stars and Stripes battle says free press is crucial for military personnel

Former publisher Max Lederer says some Pentagon actions against the paper amount to viewpoint discrimination and censorship, including an order to stop using independent wire services like AP and the Washington Post. The fight dates to January, when Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell attacked the paper's "woke distractions" and promised to return it to its "original mission."

Broadcast Law Blog. This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: September 21, 2026 to September 25, 2026

FCC Chairman Carr pushed back on Democratic lawmakers who said the agency lacks authority to require content warnings on TV shows with transgender characters or topics. Commissioner Gomez also commented on a settlement between state attorneys general and Paramount that is expected to clear Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Reuters. White House restricts access for journalists to press secretary's office

The White House move follows restrictions put in place earlier this month for reporters at the Department of Defense, a move that prompted dozens of journalists to vacate their offices in the Pentagon and return their credentials.

The Hill. Blanche blasts through norms as Rose Garden “press secretary”

Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke to reporters in the Rose Garden, mixing together commentary on legal matters, praise of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s prosecution of the Iran war, jabs at the Biden administration, an insistence the United States had to win the AI race and even some careful comments about the recent wedding of Donald Trump Jr.

The Irish Times. Ex-60 Minutes head says dismissed journalists had “refused to be accomplices” in show’s destruction

Guy Campanile says facts “increasingly treated as items in a buffet, chosen depending on specific appetite and ideological tastes.”

Semafor. Inside the US Treasury secretary’s tense relationship with financial media

The secretary had been a regular on Bloomberg’s TV programming and in its reporting for years, first as the founder of a hedge fund, and increasingly as he rose in Donald Trump’s circle to become the most powerful financial official in the now-president’s Cabinet.

The Atlantic. The inside story of what happened at Stars and Stripes

For generations, the newspaper has served American military families. That work must continue. And it must remain editorially independent.

Guardian. Trump’s threat against an NBC journalist is an attack on reality

The president’s call for the FCC to scrutinize Meet the Press host Kristen Welker’s innocuous remarks is a sign of desperation.

The Atlantic. Trump’s hatred of free speech is intensifying

The president’s latest attacks on Americans’ press freedom are dangerous, unconstitutional—and maybe self-defeating.

Courthouse News Service. Federal judge won't stop Pentagon firing of Stars and Stripes journalists

Two journalists for the military news outlet were fired after they emphasized the importance of editorial independence in a CBS News interview. A publisher was also fired.

The Wrap. Trump unleashes on NY Times’ Maggie Haberman over her 9/11 memorial no-show story

“She’s a stalker, and should be forced to turn over any and all money that she’s made through her fake reporting on me,” the president writes.

CNN. Trump calls for NBC’s Kristen Welker to face “rebuke or punishment” from the FCC

Treating the Federal Communications Commission like his own personal enforcer, President Donald Trump said on social media Sunday that NBC’s Kristen Welker would be “reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment” over a TV segment he didn’t like.

NYT. Trump updates defamation suit against The New York Times

The president has argued that the news organization sought to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign by disparaging his reputation as a businessman. The Times has moved to dismiss the lawsuit.

E&P. NewsGuild sues Department of Homeland Security (DHS) challenging visa rule affecting foreign journalists, others

The complaint argues that the final rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act because DHS failed to adequately assess its costs and benefits, meaningfully respond to public comments, consider less burdensome alternatives, or justify the rule based on its stated objectives. It also alleges that DHS provided an inadequate public comment period and exceeded its statutory authority.

Variety. Donald Trump attacks CNN’s Kristen Holmes for asking if he spoke to the North Korean dictator: “You’re a loud, boisterous person. Be quiet!”

White House comms team lashes out at CNN correspondent: “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question.”

Axios. Trump's media and defamation legal battles skyrocket

According to Axios' analysis, Trump, his businesses and his administration have been involved in 61 media and defamation lawsuits since 2015, including 16 in 2025 and nine so far in 2026.

The Intercept. Pentagon spokesperson admits there’s a secret blacklist of journalists

When pressed about the Iran war, a United States Central Command (CENTCOM) press official threatened to put an Intercept reporter on a “list of people to disregard.”

Guardian. Trump sued over $100,000-a-month early-access offer to Truth Social posts

The suit alleges subscription offers aimed to sell privileged access to information generated in the president's official capacity.

CNN. After Trump plane ruse, White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) presses White House on press pool safeguards

The WHCA has asked President Donald Trump’s administration to “work with us on a protocol for handling extraordinary security circumstances in the future,” now that his secret plane switch last month has been revealed by leaks to news organizations.

Guardian. Pakistani authorities ban international media from reporting in most of country

Rules were brought in soon after the killing of dozens of protesters, news of which was reported only by overseas outlets.

CPJ. How subpoenas against journalists threaten press freedom

Journalists rely on confidential sources to uncover information that governments, corporations, and powerful individuals often want to keep hidden. When authorities subpoena journalists in attempts to compel them to reveal their reporting sources, they undermine one of the core functions of a free press in a democracy.

Guardian. Pauline Hanson has knocked another brick out of our creaky political system. It’s not good for anybody

By deciding who gets to ask questions and who is barred, the One Nation leader is upending the democratic role that journalists are supposed to occupy.

Boston Herald. Senate unanimously passes amendment to protect journalists’ sources

The legislation would prohibit state and federal government bodies from compelling journalists to reveal their sources.

The Independent. GOP senator signals to Capitol Police that reporter who asked him about Mitch McConnell’s health should go thru security

TMZ's Charlie Cotton was following Nebraska Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts while looking for answers about the 84 year-old from Kentucky, who has been hospitalized since June 14.

NYT. Justice Dept. subpoenas NY Times freelancer in effort to identify sources

A previously undisclosed subpoena, involving reporting on a failed SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea, reflects the government’s expanding campaign to investigate leaks.

BuzzFeed. Trump just lashed out at a female reporter asking him “What’s the plan” in Iran, and, um, wow

“Do you know something I don’t know?” the president demanded.

NYT. US to withdraw subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists

A federal judge raised questions about the government’s handling of the subpoenas, which The Times said were an attempt to intimidate the free press.

CNN. Pentagon leaves casualty totals uncorrected on website after deaths and injuries disappeared

The Pentagon’s website that tracks war casualties remains incorrect nearly a day after the totals for US service member deaths and injuries in the war with Iran were reduced in what Defense Department officials called a “data disruption.”

CNN. WSJ reporters awarded for article on Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

The story, which was published last July, prompted a lawsuit by Trump against the Journal’s parent company. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge earlier this year, and then amended and re-filed by Trump.

Daily Beast. Daily Beast says networks “humiliate” Trump by not carrying his address

It’s unclear if the White House has even asked the networks to air Trump’s forthcoming address.

NYT. US sought phone records of Times journalists and their relatives

The government is aggressively seeking the confidential sources of Times reporters who wrote about the president’s new Air Force One. The Times has asked a judge to quash the subpoenas.

AP. China warns of reciprocal countermeasures after US shortens foreign journalist visas

The Trump administration announced it will drastically shorten visas for foreign journalists in the US to 240 days, down from years, and cut those for Chinese journalists to only 90 days, raising concerns over press freedom in the United States and prompting China to warn of possible reciprocal countermeasures.

USA Today. Trump wants ABC and NBC licenses revoked. Can that happen?

Legal experts say the FCC cannot revoke broadcast licenses simply because a network declines to air a president's speech, citing First Amendment protections.

Yahoo! News. Mika Brzezinski grills Politico reporter behind Platner bombshell for “concrete” rape “evidence”: “What’s the throughline?”

Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski thoroughly grilled Politico journalist Adam Wren on "what concrete evidence" made him "sure" that his bombshell report on allegations that Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner raped a woman in 2021 was "publishable."

Washington Post. Judge rules for The Washington Post in $3.8B defamation suit brought by Trump Media

The social media company failed to identify convincing evidence that The Post acted with actual malice, a federal judge in Tampa ruled.

WSJ. Fired Stars and Stripes ombudsman sues the Pentagon

Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman for military newspaper Stars and Stripes who was fired in April by the Pentagon, sued the agency, alleging that her dismissal was retaliatory and violated her First Amendment rights.

ABC News. Judge orders Pentagon to lift policy that NYT journalists be accompanied by an escort

A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to lift its requirement that New York Times journalists be accompanied by an escort while in the building.

Washington Post. Supreme Court declines former Fox News reporter’s request to stay contempt order

Catherine Herridge has been ordered to disclose a confidential source — or pay $800 a day in court sanctions.

Semifor. The View throttles back political candidate bookings following FCC inquiry

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced in February the agency was investigating whether The View violated the “equal time” rule, a 1930s regulation that requires broadcast programs to give equal airtime to opposing candidates if they permit a candidate for public office to appear on public airwaves.

CNBC. Trump threatens lawsuits against ABC for reporting on Reflecting Pool

The latest action against ABC comes as the company faces two investigations from the Federal Communications Commission.

The Washington Post. DOJ issued, then withdrew subpoenas to force The Washington Post, WSJ reporters to testify

Subpoenas for reporters to appear before a grand jury are exceedingly rare. The journalists have not testified.

AP. A New York House primary has become an AI industry family feud with millions in corporate spending

When New York Assemblyman Alex Bores decided to seek a promotion to Congress, the technology industry aims to block him.

International Press Institute. Switzerland: IPI welcomes court ruling dismissing Palantir lawsuit against Republik

Ruling sets standards on use of right-of-reply rules as a weapon against public interest journalism.

The Times. Scottish National Party (SNP) media cordon denounced as “clear attempt to curb the press”

Reform UK’s Thomas Kerr and the Scottish Greens’ co-leader Ross Greer taunted reporters as the Tories and Lib Dems decried a suppression of accountability.

Guardian. Legislation proposed to stop lawsuits used to silence journalists and whistleblowers

Private members’ bills to crack down on use of strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, are likely to attract cross-party support.

Guardian. Trump “inventing fraud” in California, experts warn as president ramps up baseless claims

Critics say the president is using a well-worn playbook – with loyalists in key positions ready to amplify his message.

Times of San Diego. Justice Department appears to be quietly scrapping “command center” to monitor Election Day emergencies

The Justice Department has canceled election-integrity training sessions for prosecutors and FBI agents, deleted a 281-page guide to prosecuting election offenses, fired most of the lawyers in its Public Integrity Section and failed to replace the director of its Election Crimes Branch.

Ars Technica. RFK Jr. melts down over NYT report, admits he blacklists reporters

NYT reported Kennedy is disengaged. Kennedy’s response seems to show NYT is right.

NYT. Pentagon bars reporters from its press office

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has repeatedly curtailed journalists’ access in the Pentagon.

The Intercept. The Pentagon is running an AI propaganda mill targeting Latin America

La Tilde publishes an unusual mix of personal finance guides and articles extolling American military efforts in Latin America.

The Hill. Trump attacks CNN’s Collins: “Hatred in her eyes”

President Trump on Wednesday attacked CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, accusing her of having “hatred in her eyes,” while he took questions from reporters in the Oval Office.

Stars and Stripes. Plaintiffs sue Pentagon, allege illegal limits on Stars and Stripes

The suit, filed in Washington, DC, alleges the measures “erode [Stripes’] longstanding editorial independence and First Amendment protections.” It was brought by two members of the organization’s publisher advisory board, an external group of journalism professionals that provides guidance.

The Fulcrum. Trump’s 15 attacks on press freedom mark an unprecedented crisis

A 16‑month pattern of legal threats, access bans, and censorship signals a deepening press crisis.

LAT. How a misreading of data fueled false claims about LA mayoral vote count

Since election night in California, a single theory of election fraud has taken root like no other among online conspiracy theorists, bot accounts, conservative influencers and people close to President Trump. It proved to be a simple misreading of the voting data.

Guardian. Trump repeats baseless claim of rigged California elections as Spencer Pratt falls behind in LA mayoral race

Trump questions how former reality star Spencer Pratt lost his “big lead” as council member Nithya Raman moves ahead in the race for second place to face Karen Bass.

Democracy Now. Trump blasts US media outlets, saying they would portray Iran surrender as a “masterful and brilliant victory” over the US

It comes as Iranian officials signal that negotiations to reach a ceasefire deal are ongoing.

Guardian. 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley accuses Bari Weiss of “murdering” show

Pelley reportedly rebuked CBS, ousting the show's executive producer, executive editor and two top correspondents.

NYT. “60 Minutes” journalist who accused CBS of political meddling loses her deal

Sharyn Alfonsi, whose segment on a brutal Salvadoran prison was pulled abruptly in December, said that CBS News and its top editor, Bari Weiss, had let her contract expire.

CPJ. CPJ, partners urge DOJ to drop charges against journalists in Minnesota protest case

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined a letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon calling on his office to drop federal charges against journalist Georgia Fort and other members of the press. Fort was arrested on January 30 in connection with her coverage of a protest at a Minnesota church led by local activists against immigration enforcement. Journalist Don Lemon was also arrested in January, while producer Michael Walker Beute and independent photographer Junn Bollmann were indicted and arrested in February. All have been released and the case is ongoing.

CBS News. US sought Russia's help to free journalist Austin Tice in Trump's first term, ex-envoy says

US officials sought help from Russia during President Trump's first term to secure the release of journalist Austin Tice after intelligence indicated that the Marine veteran was likely still alive but numerous leads and a hefty reward hadn't helped locate him.

Newsday. Will White House correspondents' dinner be rescheduled? Some say: “Let's call the whole thing off”

More than three weeks after the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was thrown into chaos and panic when a man stormed the Washington Hilton lobby and opened fire in what prosecutors say was an attempt to kill President Donald Trump, the event has yet to be rescheduled.

Semifor. Democrats move to restore Stars and Stripes’ independence

Senate Democrats announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at restoring elements of the paper’s independence. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., authored the bill that requires that the newspaper exist independently from the military chain of command.

Guardian. Former prosecutor pursued by Trump calls for crackdown on election lies: “Lying can be held to account”

Andrew Weissmann, former chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice, argues for new law to hold political liars like the US president accountable for harming democracy.

Newsweek.  Donald Trump keeps exploding at female reporters

Critics and press freedom groups have argued that several of the exchanges go beyond disputes over coverage and instead involve personal attacks on female reporters’ intelligence, appearance or demeanor.

NBC News. Democratic FCC commissioner tells Disney it’s the target of a “censorship” campaign

In an extraordinary letter to Disney’s CEO, FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez accused her agency of trying to pressure “all media into submission.”

The Washington Post. Justice Dept. subpoenas Wall Street Journal, escalating investigations into media leaks

The Trump administration has excoriated leaks to news media organizations.

AP. Costa Rica’s top newspaper says US revoked visas of its executives, prompting press freedom concerns

The United States has revoked the visas of several board executives at La Nación, one of Costa Rica’s leading media outlets, triggering fresh accusations that the US—in conjunction with the allied Costa Rican government—is stripping visas to punish critics and political opponents.

NYT. US sues The New York Times, claiming discrimination against a white man

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the paper had engaged in “unlawful employment practices” against the man, who did not get a sought-after promotion.

NYT. What our reporter saw in Iowa during Vance’s splashy, 2028-coded trip

The vice president dropped into the state to stump for a vulnerable House Republican and, maybe, lay a little groundwork for a potential presidential run.

AP. Pentagon can require reporters to be escorted during appeal process, judges rule

The ruling by a divided three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit isn’t the final decision in The New York Times’ lawsuit over a new Pentagon press credential policy. But the panel’s majority opinion said the administration is likely to succeed in showing that the policy’s escort requirement is legally valid.

US News and World Report. North Korea calls U.S. cyber threat claims a fabrication, warns of countermeasures

North Korea's ⁠foreign ⁠ministry rejected ⁠U.S. accusations that Pyongyang poses a cyber ​threat, calling them a fabrication aimed at justifying Washington's longstanding hostile ‌policy, state media KCNA ‌said.

Axios. Trump blasts “disgrace” of 60 Minutes question about manifesto allegations

President Trump called CBS' Norah O'Donnell "disgraceful" during a "60 Minutes" interview after she raised comments the gunman from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner allegedly made about him in a manifesto.

CPJ. How the Pentagon is trying to control the narrative

During his rare press briefings, the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken a combative tone with reporters over critical coverage or lines of questioning. 

MS Now. Journalists push for “forceful defense of freedom of the press” at dinner attended by Trump

It’s awkward that this president will attend an event that is supposed to honor and celebrate the free press in this country. 

NYT. White House allowed officials’ text messages to be deleted, lawsuit says

Two watchdogs say internal White House guidance that text messages need not be preserved unless “they are the sole record of official decision-making” contradicts the law.

Poynter. Trump’s Truth Social posts are driving the news cycle—and raising alarms

From threats about Iran to attacks on the pope and an AI image of himself as Jesus, the president’s posts have drawn unusually broad criticism. – PL

The Jerusalem Post. Pete Hegseth compares media to Pharisees, ancient Jewish sect derided by Christians

Hegseth's comments follow a similar incident in 2019, when then-Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg compared Mike Pence to the Pharisees. – PL

NYT. Pentagon asks court to keep its restrictions on journalists

The Defense Department wants to keep in place a policy requiring escorts for journalists in the building while it appeals a court decision that tossed out broader restrictions on the media. – PL

404 Media. Journalist sues FAA over drone no fly zone designed to prevent filming ICE

A Minnesota journalist is challenging a 3,000 foot restriction on flying near DHS assets on First Amendment grounds. – PL

PBS. New York Times says Pentagon is ignoring court order on press access

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman didn't immediately rule from the bench after hearing a second round of arguments from lawyers for the newspaper and the Trump administration. – PL

Yahoo! News. “Embarrassing”: Boebert gets into nasty spat with reporter who accused her of making “Stuff Up”

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) got into a spat with Reason journalist Billy Binion after Binion called her out for a misleading statement on airport security lines. – PL

The Guardian. US directs embassies to team up against foreign “hostility” – and use X to “counter anti-American propaganda”

Cable signed by Marco Rubio and seen by Guardian suggests staff work with Pentagon psychological operations unit. – PL

AP. Judge blocks Trump order to end funding for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service

Citing the First Amendment, a federal judge on Tuesday agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, two media entities that the White House has said are counterproductive to American priorities. – PL

Mondoweiss. Trump suggests treason charges for journalists as Iran war spins out of control

You know a war probably isn't going well when the president starts threatening media outlets with treason charges. And as the situation in the Middle East inevitably gets worse, Americans can expect more First Amendment threats. – PL

Salon. Trump wants to punish media for his unpopular war

The president and FCC Chair Brendan Carr are threatening journalists and broadcasters for their coverage of Iran. – PL

CNN. The Pentagon’s press crackdown meets some real resistance

The ruling by a federal judge striking down Pentagon press limits was cheered by the news organization that sued over the policy, The New York Times, and by a wide range of First Amendment advocates. – PL

E&P. Pentagon bars press photographers over “unflattering” Hegseth photos

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s staff took issue with images taken in a rare briefing last week and decided to shut out photographers from two subsequent news conferences. – PL

The Hill. Hegseth blasts CNN: “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better”

A CNN spokesperson told The Hill on Friday morning that “we stand by our reporting.” – PL

Independent. Trump calls woman journalist a ‘rotten reporter’ after she asks why the FBI has seized Arizona voting records

Trump has insulted five women reporters in as many months. – PL

Barron’s. Journalists face restrictions, detention covering Mideast war

Some of the tightest restrictions are in Iran and Israel, although Gulf monarchies, targets of unprecedented drone and missile attacks from Iran, have also imposed tighter controls. – PL

NYT. A call for reporting tips rankles Pentagon officials

A Washington Post appeal for information about the military qualified as prohibited “solicitation,” according to defense officials. – PL

Axios. White House outraged over new CBS News hire

White House officials are outraged over CBS' hiring of Jeremy Adler, a communications executive who previously worked for former Rep. Liz Cheney. – PL

The Guardian. CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen on being the only US network reporter in Iran: “It’s obviously a big responsibility”

The network has faced Trump’s ire and Pleitgen has faced criticism, but it is “better to be on the ground,” he says. – PL

Poynter. Fox News aired old footage of Trump honoring fallen troops. Was it an honest mistake or a deliberate choice?

Several Fox programs used video from a different dignified transfer where Trump was not wearing a hat, drawing backlash before the network apologized. – PL

AP. Judge weighs New York Times bid to block policy limiting journalists’ access to Pentagon

District Judge Paul Friedman didn’t immediately rule on whether to order the Pentagon to reinstate press credentials for reporters who walked out of the building last October rather than agree to the new rules. But the judge’s remarks suggested he was skeptical of key arguments in the government’s defense of the policy. – PL

AP. Federal judge rules Trump administration’s actions to dismantle Voice of America are illegal

A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have legal authority to take the actions she’s done to largely dismantle the Voice of America. The decision’s effect on VOA operations was not immediately clear. – PL

Politico. France’s leftist leader picks influencers over press to ride out political storm

Jean-Luc Mélenchon is accused of shutting out journalists in a bid to avoid tough questions after the death of an activist. – PL

NY Times. Legally creative, democratically dangerous: Trump’s plan to twist the news

The Times’ editorial board writes about how The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission were designed to be independent stewards of the public interest and how Trump has subverted them to his own aims. – PL

NY Times. Grand jury rebuffs Justice Dept. attempt to indict 6 Democrats in Congress

The rejection was a remarkable rebuke, suggesting that ordinary citizens did not believe that the lawmakers had committed any crimes. – PL

New Yorker. “If we don’t have free speech, then we just don’t have a free country”

Donald Trump’s attempt to criminalize political expression is crossing a line that’s held since 1798. – PL

Courthouse News Service. Defamation suit forces Alabama to define limits of reporter shield law

The state’s high court is weighing how far journalists can go to protect anonymous sources when plaintiffs seek discovery to prove faulty reporting. – PL

NY Times. Pentagon defends restrictions on media outlets

The purpose of the new rules is to “stop activity that could compromise national security,” the Defense Department said in response to a New York Times lawsuit. – PL

Courthouse News Service. Trump asks Iowa court to let suit against Des Moines Register proceed

Although Trump filed the suit, his lawyers say he should have "minimal" involvement in the discovery process to limit the burden on the president. – PL

Reuters Institute. How Ugandan reporters managed to cover the latest election despite a climate of fear

Six journalists explain how they reported on the vote under constant surveillance, the threat of arbitrary arrests and an internet shutdown. – PL

NY Times. U.S. failed to alert judge to press law in application to search reporter’s home

The Justice Department did not address a 1980 law that generally bars warrants for reporting material when it sought to seize a Washington Post reporter’s devices, an unsealed filing shows. – PL

Newsday. Vance says Insurrection Act not needed 'right now' in Minneapolis

That may seem temperate but strategically distances the administration from escalation without fully ruling out future use. The repeated framing of these statements — stressing order without martial authority — is an example of political language aimed at balancing public calm with assertive policy positioning. – PL

Financial Times. Iran delegates emergency powers as threat of conflict with US looms

Iran’s government has delegated emergency powers to provincial governors amid rising fears of conflict with the U.S. and Israel, emphasizing readiness for confrontation while also asserting a desire for diplomacy. The language of readiness without eagerness and emergency measures as stabilization is being used to signal both resolve and restraint — a dual message that reflects internal political pressures and external diplomatic posturing. – PL

Poynter. Trump misspoke at Davos. Karoline Leavitt told reporters not to believe their ears.

During a speech, Trump repeatedly referred to Iceland while talking about Greenland. Then the press secretary denied what the video plainly shows. – PL

CNN. Justice Department leadership pushed FBI to investigate campaign contributions to Minnesota officials

Top Justice Department officials pushed the FBI to investigate political campaigns in Minnesota over whether they illegally benefited from fraud in public service organizations, according to two people familiar with the internal discussions. – PL

Plynter. No, the US vaccine schedule doesn’t call for babies to get ’72 injections’

Under the 2024 schedule, which has been discontinued, babies could have received anywhere from 12 to 30 shots before their second birthday. – PL

NY Post. Bari Weiss’ ‘intense’ hands-on editing of Anderson Cooper ‘60 Minutes’ Trump story irks staffers: report

Veteran “60 Minutes” producer Michael Gavshon has reportedly been left “exasperated” after Weiss provided what sources described as “extensive editorial feedback,” with one person calling the level of review “abnormal.” – PL

PolitiFact. Investigation of Fed chief Jerome Powell: What Trump has said about him since April 2025

When Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said Jan. 11 he is being criminally investigated by the federal government, President Donald Trump told NBC News, "I don’t know anything about it." But he has been clear about his desire to oust Powell. – PL

Defending Rights and Dissent. Journalist Seth Harp subpoenaed over “doxxing” allegations

A motion introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., to subpoena Harp passed unanimously in the House Oversight Committee. Luna accused Harp of “leaking classified intel about Operation Absolute Resolve, including doxxing a Delta Force commander.” “Journalists don’t work for the government and can’t ‘leak’ government information — to the contrary, it’s their job to find and publish the news, whether the government wants it made public or not,” said Freedom of the Press Foundation Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern. – PL

EipcenterNYC. I’m a community journalist in New York City. Here’s why Mamdani’s ‘influencer presser’ stung.

Mayor Mamdani’s ‘new media’ strategy prioritizes content creators while locking out the community outlets that serve New York’s neighborhoods. – PL

The Hill. Will the oblivious establishment media finally learn its lessons in 2026?

The free press was established by the nation’s founders to serve a surrogate role for a free citizenry. Filling that role effectively, however, requires the news industry to understand and listen to news consumers. – PL

Washington Post. Stars and Stripes job applicants are asked if they back Trump policies

People seeking jobs at Stars and Stripes, which Congress guaranteed editorial independence, are being asked how they would advance administration priorities. – PL

TNR. Bari Weiss is dead wrong—good journalism isn’t about being pro-America

The CBS boss and her new evening anchor have released new “principles.” Among them: “We Love America.” They have no understanding of journalism—but they sure know ‘which side their bread is buttered on.’ – PL

NYT. Maduro says he is a prisoner of war, not a defendant. The words matter.

His simple statement in federal court was aimed directly at contradictions in the Trump administration’s actions in the Caribbean. – PL

CJR. Is holding a story the right thing to do?

Trump’s military attack on Venezuela was a social media spectacle. What made the Times and the Post bury the scoop?

New York Post. CBS News journalists to urge David Ellison to protect ‘independence’ after Bari Weiss pulled ‘60 Minutes’ report on Salvadoran prison

An anonymous group of “prominent journalists” are circulating the text – which they plan to send on Saturday, Jan. 3 – among all current and former CBS News employees, asking for their signatures. – PL

Daily Beast. MAGA-curious CBS boss plotting to overhaul ‘60 Minutes’

Bari Weiss is reportedly planning an overhaul of CBS News’ editorial rulebook amid outrage over her eleventh-hour call to shelve a ‘60 Minutes’ report. – PL

ProPublica. “I don’t want to be here anymore”: They tried to self-deport, then got stranded in Trump’s America

The administration has promoted an app to help immigrants leave the U.S. and promised to pay for flights and give them $1,000. Some haven’t gotten what was promised. – PL

Vanity Fair. Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “junkyard dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff on Trump’s second term

This insider’s account joins a portfolio of portraits for an unflinching, up-close look at power—and peril. – PL

AP. Judge refuses to grant Sarah Palin a new trial in her libel suit against NYT

Judge Jed S. Rakoff said in a written opinion that he was “scrupulous” in affording Palin a fair trial last April, when a jury concluded that the Times did not libel the former Alaska governor in a 2017 editorial. – PL

Reuters. Russia calls German broadcaster Deutsche Welle an 'undesirable organization'

Russia regularly designates entities it says undermine its constitutional order or national security as "undesirable." The law specifies prison terms of up to five years for funding such activity, or six years for organizing it. – PL

KARE. Puerto Rico gov. signs bill that critics say restricts access to public info

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

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

The New Republic. Revisiting federal interference in the battle for Civil Rights

Attacks on the Civil Rights Movement were far broader than COINTELPRO, they permeated the fabric of the 1960s justice system. Responding to nonviolence with nonviolence earned praise from Northern sympathizers, yet it also enabled authorities to undermine independence activists by orchestrating mass arrests, expanding surveillance, pressing felony charges, and portraying the oppressor as a reformed hero. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. ICE's new fight against dissenters

ICE recently increased its surveillance spending, allocating $25 million toward social media monitoring systems, cell phone location tracking, facial recognition, remote hacking tools, and other technologies. According to agency director Todd Lyons, these tools will be used to monitor immigrants as well as “anti-fascist and anti-ICE protesters and those that support them,” raising concerns about infringements on Americans’ right to privacy. -acs

LA Public Press. What independent reporters risk when they cover ICE

Journalists across Los Angeles are working hard to report in ICE across the city, encountering violence along the way. According to the US Press Freedom Tracker, Law Enforcement attacked 72 journalists covering immigration in LA alone, raising concerns over journalist protections in the US. -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

Brennan Center for Justice. How congress can rein in surging political corruption

The answer may lie in one of the US’ oldest anti-corruption protections: the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments clauses. These clauses bar the president or, any other federal officials, from accepting “any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or Foreign State” without approval from congress, while the domestic clause applies to the president, enforcing a fixed salary and barring any other Emolument. -acs

ProPublica. The major Chicago raid that left dozens deported with no criminal charges

On September 30th, several government agencies raided a Chicago apartment building, claiming it was "filled" with Tren de Aragua members, arresting 37 immigrants and detaining several US citizens. The government refused to release detainee names, despite this, ProPublica located 21 and contacted 12, finding their arrests were unjustified. -acs

Wired. 30 days in, how are Federal workers getting through the shutdown?

From missed insurance reimbursements to food banks and side gigs, Federal workers are struggling to make ends meet. One Department of Labor employee said their family lost 65% of their income, leaving their livelihoods up in the air with the shutdown revealing no end in site. -acs

LA Public Press. LAPD is drowning in settlements, harming the city's budget

Police misconduct has cost Los Angeles $384 million since September 2019, stemming from 2,000 claims made against the department. Thirty-five cases, totaling $20 million in payouts, involved excessive force and other civil violations during protests. -acs

NPR. National Guard deployments are far from random

Taking cities by storm, testing politicians and precedents, and increasing instability among citizens, the National Guard's deployment is, unfortunately, no surprise. The White House's deployment of troops into democratic cities is part of a long-term plan introduced in 2023 by the Head of Homeland Security, Stephen Miller. -acs

ACLU. Pregnant and postpartum detainees facing abuse in ICE detention

Despite its own directive against detaining pregnant individuals, ICE has increasingly held pregnant immigrants in facilities across the country, where abuse and medical neglect are rampant. Lack of food and denial of adequate medical treatment have led many pregnant detainees to miscarry or face worse outcomes. -acs

Documented NY. Climate catastrophe is driving immigration

Climate change is ravaging landscapes, from constant flooding to droughts and destroyed farmland, making life unlivable and forcing many to leave their homelands. Climate-related disruption has become a quiet, yet consistent, driver of migration to the U.S., where many see crossing the US-Mexico border as their only viable option for survival. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. Why Federal election reports may become more unreliable

After the Department of Homeland Security appointed election denier and conspiracy theorist Heather Honey as deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, questions about the future of honest reporting came to the forefront of many experts’ minds. Journalists, election officials, and other analysts who have examined her work have identified a consistent pattern of data misuse to support predetermined narratives. -acs

CJR. Who should teach our student journalists?

The largest college journalism conference in the US, MediaFest, originally featured some controversial panelists. One critical professor, Steven Sandberg, stated: “These speakers’ work doesn’t exist in a vacuum. LGBTQ students are feeling targeted by our administration, by the government, and by society. So, I was disappointed to see them bring in people who espoused anti-LGBT views.” While leaders of the conference felt it was more about what the speakers could teach about the essence of journalism than their personal views. In the end, a new panel has been formed, but not because of their beliefs. -acs

The Times. Madagascar's president flees after military joins revolt

Youth protests in Madagascar have been ongoing for weeks, triggered by chronic power and water shortages that spurred the population to rise up against their leader. The military ultimately joined the revolt on the side of the citizens, forcing President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. Colonel Michael Randrianirina defended the military's actions, stating, "I can call it chaos, but it's not chaos caused by the army, it's chaos caused by the leader.” -acs

CalMatters. Gov Newsom signs bill to increase pay for CA's incarcerated firefighters

Pay for incarcerated firefighters has increased to Federal minimum wage while on active duty, making their hourly pay greater than what most used to make in a day. Additionally, the proposed 7-bill plan will support job opportunities upon their release. -acs

New Lines Magazine. Turkish journalist, Fatih Altaylı, continues to report from behind bars

Veteran Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, jailed on charges of threatening President Erdoğan, continues to report and break scoops from prison through letters and his popular YouTube channel, where his empty chair has become a symbol of defiance. Despite censorship attempts and loss of sponsors, his audience has grown, demonstrating enduring public support for independent journalism in Turkey. -acs

NYT. Trump's university compact is closer to extortion than compromise

President Trump’s plan to require universities to sign federal “compacts” in exchange for funding is drawing sharp criticism, with legal experts warning it threatens academic independence and free expression. Critics argue the proposal represents a constitutional overreach that could erode universities’ ability to govern themselves. -acs

ProPublica. The Trump administration canceled 94 million pounds of USDA food aid

From meat and eggs to produce, Trump era budget cuts are depriving food banks and vulnerable communities of critical nutrition. ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cuts. -acs

The Miami Herald. Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees unable to be located after facility shutdown

Immigration attorneys state that ICE officers are no longer following standard detention procedures. Consequently, with records not updated by officials, hundreds of detained men are now unaccounted for, their whereabouts unknown. -acs

CJR. Security experts say they are increasingly concerned about the risk of violence in the US

Experts at several news organizations are concerned about rhetorical escalation surrounding violence coming from citizens and US officials alike. Areas of particular concern are journalists and protestors who have been facing increased violence due to enhanced surveillance and military involvement. -acs

Reuters. Israel military killed 5 Reuters journalists in August after firing without approval

The Israeli military claimed they targeted a Hamas camera in an August strike that killed five journalists, but a Reuters investigation revealed the device belonged to them. Reuters reported that the camera had been placed in the same spot 35 times since May, broadcasting live from Khan Younis. -acs

The New Republic. A historic reminder for those entertaining the idea of a Civil War: let's not forget what a war looks like

Historian David W. Blight uses the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Antietam to caution against the growing use of civil war rhetoric in American politics, pinpointing figures like Donald Trump and reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death. -acs

Just Security. The UN declared Israel is committing a genocide, but how will justice be served?

A UN-commissioned inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, finding that its authorities have carried out four of the five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, creating conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. -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

Dazed. Nan Goldin in conversation with Mahmoud Khalil

Mahmoud Khalil told Dazed that U.S. authorities detained him for more than three months despite his legal residency, saying the ordeal was retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism. Khalil detailed the harsh conditions he faced in detention and emphasized the importance of solidarity, resilience, and hope in sustaining the broader movement for Palestinian justice. -acs

The New Republic. DOJ deletes study on politics of domestic terrorists

The Justice Department removed a 2024 study by the National Institute of Justice that found right‑wing violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the U.S., including far more far‑right attacks since 1990 than from far‑left or radical Islamist extremists. Critics argue the removal reflects a political motive to reshape the narrative around which side is responsible for political violence. -acs

NYT. The American flag is being co-opted by foreign far-right movements

There has been a growing presence of the Stars and Stripes being co-opted by far-right groups in foreign countries. Most recently, a ginormous American flag acted as the centerpiece to a Brazilian independence day movement, where many participants praised President Donald Trump for attempting to intervene in ex-president, Bolsonaro’s, trial. -acs

The Washington Post. Bolsonaro sented to prison for coup and assassination plot

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison after Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted him of orchestrating a military coup following his 2022 election loss. The court found that Bolsonaro led a criminal conspiracy involving assassination plans against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other officials, aiming to dismantle democratic institutions and retain power. The ruling marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been convicted of such crimes, reflecting a significant step in the country's commitment to democratic accountability. Bolsonaro, who denies the charges and did not attend the trial, remains under house arrest and is expected to appeal the decision. -acs

ABC. Multiple HBCUs and other institutions on lockdown after receiving violent threats

Last week, several HBCUs were put on lockdown with nonessential activities after receiving threats from an anonymous source. The FBI is investigating, but so far says there is no indication the threats are credible, though the incidents renew concerns about racially motivated intimidation at HBCUs especially in the wake of American discussions regarding political violence. -acs

NPR. UK’s US ambassador fired due to connection with Epstein

Newly released emails show Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., expressed support for Jeffrey Epstein during Epstein’s 2008 prosecution, calling him a “best pal” and urging him to “fight for early release.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has since dismissed Mandelson over the revelations, amid criticism that his ties to Epstein were not fully understood or disclosed at the time of appointment. -acs

The Atlantic. Will NATO stand strong?

Poland was hit by a swarm of Russian drones, which has triggered the enactment of Article 4 in a pivotal moment for NATO. The world must now see whether the United States will honor its commitment to defend Europe, or if it will opt out and let Europe act alone. -acs

Hoosier AG Today. Farm bankruptcies in 2025 already greater than 2024

As of July, 259 US farms filed for bankruptcy. Prices have gone up and value has decreased, now communities could face economic upheaval. A concern of ours is underreported stories of significance. Why aren’t larger outlets reporting on this issue? -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. The DOJ wants to know your voting status

What will the next US election look like? It's not a new question, given the country's dynamic election cycle, but minor voting details could be changing. President Donald Trump has shown disdain for the current process, especially mail-in ballots. Now, it's been publicly reported that the DOJ has requested information or meetings about election administration from at least 26 states, and has asked at least 21 of them for voter registration lists. So, what's really going on behind the scenes? -acs

Time. Utility bills could be the next hotbed political issue

According to environmental policy scholars, electricity has the potential to play a much larger role in US politics in the upcoming years. There are several factors being considered including the price of operating a business, environmental pollution, and the increase in electricity use with the advent of AI. All of these factors are definitely affecting the consumer, with data from the Energy Information Administration finding that “across the U.S., electricity-price increases have outpaced inflation, increasing 13% since 2022.” -acs

NYT. Trump wants to rename the Department of Defense to the War Department

Last week, President Donald Trump announced his intention to rename the "Department of Defense" the "War Department," claiming it would restore the US's glory, especially during this war-torn era. While this executive order may not fundamentally alter the institution's role, it suggests further action, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, “We’re not just defense, we’re offense.” Will this name change be more than just a semantic shift, and what implications could it have for the future of US offense operations? -acs

Politico. Supreme Court lifts restrictions on ICE raids in Los Angeles

ICE raids are already tearing apart communities with unprecedented occurrences and midday abductions, yet minimal checks and balances from government officials have done little to mitigate their effects. Now, the Supreme Court has lifted restrictions that protected communities from outright racial profiling, leaving foreign language speakers and members of targeted ethnic groups even more vulnerable to ICE officers. -acs

AP. 80th anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing shows that hope in the hands of Japan’s youth

Survivors of the A-bomb continue their tireless efforts to ensure Nagasaki remains the last place on Earth ever hit with a bomb of that magnitude. As they age, they place their hope in the nation's youth to raise awareness about "the atomic bomb [that] brought invisible terror," and the lasting symptoms survivors battle. To keep their stories alive, some living survivors have "started to digitize the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation," so that war and nuclear weapons can be abolished, and peace can prevail. -acs

The Citizen. Political suppression and the fight for Peachtree City's Planning Commission

Journalist and local politician, Kenneth Hammer, is under fire for his occupation, as political rivals use it to campaign against him in an upcoming election. But Hammer, as a dedicated reporter, has not let this slide, taking his case to the public in order to fight for a seat at the table. -acs

Ohio Capital Journalism. Ohio faith leaders call on governor to speak out for Chaplain at risk of deportation

Former chaplain of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ayman Soliman, risks deportation amidst the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants. Soliman was granted asylum in 2018 after being punished and beaten by the Egyptian government for his collaboration with journalists during the Arab Spring uprising. Now, prompted by the governments dedication to deporting as many people as possible, Soliman is at risk of being placed back in the hands of those who will surely harm him. According to OCJ, “more than a dozen faith leaders gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Monday to urge Gov. Mike DeWine to stand up” for Soliman as he did for Haitian immigrants last year. -acs

Reuters. Kilmar Abrego, detained by ICE soon after his return to the US, may be facing deportation to Uganda

After being wrongfully detained and deported to El Salvador, Abrego was returned to the US only to be arrested again. The arrest occurred during a scheduled interview at the Baltimore ICE office on the morning of August 25. Prosecutors have offered him deportation to Costa Rica if he pleads guilty, but his lawyers are fighting the charges, claiming vindictive prosecution by the administration. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. Understanding and combatting political corruption in the modern era

From the abuse of public office for private gain, to lying and firing, systems big and small work hard to disrupt the hardened political system of the United States. Corruption is not purely a partisan issue, it has been seen on both ends of the spectrum, combatting it, no matter where it surfaces, is our duty as American citizens. The first step? Recognition. -acs

LA Times. UCLA's Jewish community condemns Trump's efforts to remove the university's funding

Jewish faculty members from UCLA came together to write a letter to Trump condemning his threats against the university as ‘misguided and punitive.’ The letter draws from people with views all across the board regarding the war in Gaza, but the consensus finds that cutting research funding does “nothing to make UCLA safer for Jews nor diminish antisemitism in the world.” -acs

The Washington Post. Trump nominates Heritage Foundation economist, E.J. Antoni, for BLS position

Despite receiving a PhD in Economics from Northern Illinois University, many find the prospective BLS nominee to be highly unqualified for the job. Their arguments center on the BLS's intended non-partisan role, where appointments are not tied to specific presidencies, and the nominee's status as a vocal BLS critic. It's clear that Antoni is a partisan candidate, partly responsible for Project 2025, a policy initiative adopted by the Trump administration. -acs

Columbia Journalism Review. Journalism can hold a mirror to power, or it can be an active force against it

How can ordinary people live so close to evil? Professor Lisa Armstrong investigates the parallels between journalism during the rise of the Nazis and journalism in the contemporary American age. Armstrong makes the claim “[modern journalism must not be] merely a mirror, but a moral force that actively resists the erosion of truth and democracy.“ -acs

Defense One. Understanding the new ways the government conducts citizen surveillance

By declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington D.C., President Trump has officially intertwined the U.S. military and law enforcement in ways that were previously unseen. The U.S. military has access to state-of-the-art weaponry and surveillance technology that could irreversibly change the freedom of civilians. The introduction of AI in these methods allows for an even deeper look into the average American, accessing data from multiple sectors of life. -acs