The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

The record

Incidents, stage: restrict, outcome sustained

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.

All filters: country, dates, head of government, sort
CountryIsrael, RSF 2026 rank: 116th of 180United States, RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180
ContinentAsiaNorth America
TacticAccess bans 8Expulsion and visa denial 1Credential control 1Prior restraint 1Detention and violence 1
StageRestrict 8
OutcomeSustained 8
LevelNational 6State or province 2
Head of governmentDonald TrumpGeorge H. W. BushGeorge W. BushHugh L. WhiteRon DeSantis

8 incidents match this view.

TableCardsCSVJSONMarkdown
DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
7 January 2026Israel: ban on independent entry of foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, 2023 to 2026Israel (RSF 2026 rank: 116th of 180)Access bansSustained (25 February 2026)
31 October 2025White House closes 'Upper Press' section of West Wing to reportersUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansDonald TrumpSustained
15 April 2025White House ends wire services' guaranteed seat in the press poolUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansDonald TrumpSustained
25 February 2025United States: White House takes over selection of the presidential press pool, February 2025United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansDonald TrumpSustained (22 September 2026)
1 January 2025United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansRon DeSantisSustained (1 January 2025)
10 February 2003Pentagon sets ground rules for journalists embedded with United States forces in IraqUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansGeorge W. BushSustained (14 April 2003)
17 January 1991United States military restricts reporters to escorted press pools during the Gulf WarUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansGeorge H. W. BushSustained (28 February 1991)
19 September 1955United States: Tallahatchie County, Mississippi sheriff segregates Black reporters at the Emmett Till murder trial, September 1955United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansHugh L. WhiteSustained
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