Introducing the US Press Freedom Tracker: documenting press freedom violations in United States
Freedom of the Press Foundation
August 2, 2017
Freedom of the Press Foundation joinedmore than 20 press freedom organizations announcing the launch today of the U.S.Press Freedom Tracker, a new website dedicated to documenting pressfreedom abuses across the United States.
Led by Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), thesite will serve as a central repository for data at a time when journalists inthe U.S. are facing increased hostility.
In recentmonths, journalists have been charged with crimes while covering protests inWashington D.C. and North Dakota; stopped at the border and subjected tosearches of their electronic devices; and physically assaulted, in one case bya congressional candidate. Data collected on the U.S. Press Freedom Trackershows thatjournalists have been arrested in the course of their work in 2017 and that atleast  reporters arecurrently facing charges. In 2017 at least  journalists have been stopped at theborder and 11 have facedphysical attacks, according to the tracker. These numbers may increase as we receive newinformation.
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“TheUnited States has some of the strongest legal protections for press freedom inthe world and a robust and varied media landscape, but this cannot be taken forgranted. Open hostility, threats of leak prosecutions, and arrests have createda precarious situation for journalists,” said Alex Ellerbeck, senior researchassociate for the U.S. at the Committee to Protect Journalists and chair of thesteering committee for the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. “A full and honestaccounting of challenges to press freedom in this country is sorely needed.”
The U.S.Press Freedom Tracker collects data based on news reports and tips submitted byjournalists, professional organizations, and press freedom organizations. Thecoalition behind the tracker will use the research in letters, legal briefs,and advocacy campaigns.
“With theTrump administration ramping up its war on journalism, this initiative couldnot come at a more important time,” said Trevor Timm, executive director of theFreedom of the Press Foundation. “We hope it will be vital to highlighting thethreats to press freedom in the U.S. and the important work journalists do tohold the government accountable.”
Freedomof the Press Foundation is leading the day-to-day operations of the U.S. PressFreedom Tracker, with its senior reporter, Peter Sterne, serving as themanaging editor. The Committee to Protect Journalists is providing the initialfunding and chairing the steering committee. Along with Freedom of the Press Foundation, thesteering committee also includes representatives from the Reporters Committeefor Freedom of the Press, the Knight Institute at Columbia University,Reporters Without Borders, and Index on Censorship. Pleasefind a full list of partners on the website.