The War On News

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

Head of government

Barack Obama

As head of government

Engraving of an official's desk with a signed, sealed document and a pen

Barack Obama, President of the United States (2009-2017), was head of government when 6 recorded incidents took place. The official who acted in each may be someone else; each incident names them.

Tactics used

Incidents

DateIncidentCountryTacticOutcome
5 July 2010United States charges Army analyst Chelsea Manning under the Espionage Act for leaking to WikiLeaksUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Secrets and espionage lawsReversed (17 January 2017)
25 January 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 lawsUpheld by a court (3 February 2015)
13 May 2013United States Justice Department secretly seizes two months of Associated Press phone recordsUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasSustained (12 July 2013)
20 May 2013United States search warrant names Fox News reporter James Rosen a possible co-conspirator in a leak caseUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasSustained (12 July 2013)
10 October 2013United States: Espionage Act prosecutions of sources for leaks to the press, 2009 to 2013United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Secrets and espionage lawsUnknown
17 October 2014United States pursues New York Times reporter James Risen's testimony for years before dropping its demand for his sourceUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Surveillance and subpoenasReversed (17 October 2014)
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Full entry for Barack Obama