The War On News

How governments have limited journalists, 1900 to today.

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Incidents in North America, national level, outcome upheld by a court

Each incident is a dated action by a government, an official, a regulator, a court or a legislature that limited journalists' ability to gather or publish news.

The number of entries reflects the depth of this record, not the severity of a country's conduct.

5 incidents match this view.

Country: United States, RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180

Continent: North America

Tactic: Secrets and espionage laws (4) Surveillance and subpoenas (2) Shutdowns and blocking (2)

Stage: Punish (3) Silence (2)

Outcome: Upheld by a court (5)

Level: National (5)

Head of government: Barack Obama George W. Bush Richard Nixon Woodrow Wilson

DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
January 25, 2013United States prosecutes former CIA officer John Kiriakou under the Espionage Act for identifying a covert colleague to a journalistUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Secrets and espionage lawsBarack ObamaUpheld by a court (February 3, 2015)
July 6, 2005New York Times reporter Judith Miller jailed for refusing to name a confidential source in the Valerie Plame affairUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasGeorge W. BushUpheld by a court (September 29, 2005)
1969United States Supreme Court rules reporters have no privilege to refuse grand jury subpoenasUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasRichard NixonUpheld by a court (June 29, 1972)
July 1917United States postmaster bars the magazine The Masses from the mail under the Espionage ActUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Secrets and espionage lawsWoodrow WilsonUpheld by a court (November 1, 1917)
1917United States Postmaster General Burleson strips the Milwaukee Leader of its mailing rateUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Shutdowns and blockingWoodrow WilsonUpheld by a court (March 7, 1921)
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