Dear Friend of Press Freedom,
Here are some of the most important stories we’re following from the U.S. and around the world. If you enjoy reading this newsletter, please forward it to friends and family. If someone has forwarded you this newsletter, please subscribe here.
Declassify RT intelligence records so public can vet administration's claims
The Biden administration has declassified information alleging that Russian state media outlet RT has, in the words of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, “engaged in covert information and influence operations and military procurement” on behalf of the Kremlin. But the release, intended to bolster new sanctions against RT, did not include declassification of the underlying documents — only their findings
This is the latest example of the Biden administration strategically declassifying U.S. secrets. It is a good initiative — and one that would be strengthened by declassifying the records themselves. Failing to do so is a missed opportunity in the RT case.
Declassification would explain a move that raises serious First Amendment concerns about press censorship and questions of cherry picked evidence. Depending on what the documents show, they might shore up support, or they might spark opposition. Either way, the public is entitled to be fully informed. Read more on our website.
Press freedom remains in danger in Indian Country
The award-winning documentary “Bad Press” told the story of journalist Angel Ellis and her colleagues' fight to protect press freedom in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a Native American tribe based in Oklahoma. But the struggle for a free press on tribal land is by no means limited to one tribe or one outlet.
We hosted an X Space conversation last week with Ellis and other leading advocates for press freedom in Indian Country. As explained by Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, executive director Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, “There's just no clear cut path to go into any of our tribal communities and accurately report on issues that could really raise the quality of life for our people.”
Read about and listen to the conversation on our website (even if you don’t use X).
Setting up a secure tipline on a budget
Journalists ranging from independent reporters to newsroom managers rely on dedicated tiplines to find and report news.
But not all platforms offer equal privacy or guarantee the same level of anonymity when making first contact with sources or receiving confidential files. Options also vary greatly in terms of their cost and required technical expertise.
Our digital security training team has compiled a list of tiplines, discussing the pros and cons of each for newsrooms of all sizes. You can read it here.
What we’re reading
U.S. hostages still owe taxes. Congress might not help (Washington Post). Lawmakers could easily pass a tax relief bill for Americans held hostage. But they’re self-sabotaging, and throwing hostages under the bus, to try to ram through another bill to censor nonprofits (including news outlets) without due process or transparency.
Journalist arrested while covering Oakland encampment cleanup (U.S. Press Freedom Tracker). Journalists are entitled to record police. Period. There is no “work zone” exception to the First Amendment. These cops are just making it up as they go. They don’t care if they get sued – it’s your money, not theirs.
The secret deals whitewashing the conduct of California police officers: Key takeaways from our investigation (San Francisco Chronicle). The public’s right to know belongs to the public. The government can’t settle it away. Reduce the costs of firing bad cops by not hiring bad cops, not by agreeing to sweep misconduct under the rug.
Is Tor still safe to use? (Tor Blog). If the German government has knowledge of a deanonymizing attack that could put journalists and whistleblowers at risk, it has the responsibility to share technical details with The Tor Project.
Tell your lawmakers to support the PRESS Act
Please take a moment to fill out the ACLU’s easy-to-use online form to tell your member of Congress that you support the PRESS Act, the federal bill to protect journalist-source confidentiality and stop the government from surveilling reporters. Or better yet, call their offices and let them know.
Come see us in London
We’re co-hosting Source! the London Logan Symposium with The Centre for Investigative Journalism on Nov. 14-15 in London. Hear from journalists from all over the world about press freedom issues and the challenges they face in protecting themselves and their sources. Register to attend here.
Follow us on TikTok and Instagram
FPF is now live on Instagram and TikTok. Click the links to follow us and see our latest posts about press freedom.
