The War On News

How governments have limited journalists, 1900 to today.

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Incidents: prior restraint in North America, national level

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: Prior restraint (5) Access bans (2) Secrets and espionage laws (2) Credential control (1)

Stage: Restrict (3) Pressure (1) Silence (1)

Outcome: Sustained (2) Ongoing (1) Unknown (1) Reversed (1)

Level: National (5)

Head of government: Donald Trump Franklin D. Roosevelt George W. Bush Richard Nixon

DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
September 19, 2025United States: Department of Defense press credential rules requiring approval before release of information, September 2025United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Credential controlDonald TrumpOngoing (April 9, 2026)
September 12, 2020Political appointees alter CDC coronavirus guidance before public releaseUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintDonald TrumpUnknown
February 10, 2003Pentagon sets ground rules for journalists embedded with United States forces in IraqUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansGeorge W. BushSustained (April 14, 2003)
June 15, 1971United States government seeks an injunction to stop The New York Times publishing the Pentagon PapersUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintRichard NixonReversed (June 30, 1971)
December 19, 1941United States creates an Office of Censorship and a wartime code for the pressUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintFranklin D. RooseveltSustained (September 28, 1945)
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