# The War On News > How governments have limited journalists, 1900 to today: a dated, sourced record by country, by tactic and by era, with the head of government at the time, the issue of the day and the outcome. > Every page exists as HTML, .md and .json; list views also as CSV (?format=csv). Every fact is a claim with a verbatim quote, source URL, method and verification date. CC BY 4.0. > Published by Peter Benes, Ontario, Canada. The development of this site and its content were assisted with AI. ## Ways in - [Incidents, with filters](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents.md): country, continent, tactic, from, to, level, actor, leader, outlet, outcome, source_kind, has_case - [Countries](https://thewaronnews.com/countries.md) - [Tactics](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics.md) - [Compare: tactic by country](https://thewaronnews.com/compare.md) - [Eras since 1900](https://thewaronnews.com/eras.md) - [Timeline](https://thewaronnews.com/timeline.md) - [Cases](https://thewaronnews.com/cases.md) - [Recent coverage](https://thewaronnews.com/coverage.md) - [Search](https://thewaronnews.com/search.md?q=press+pass) ## Tactics - [Access bans](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/access_ban.md) - [Credential control](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/credential_control.md) - [Licensing and closure of outlets](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/outlet_licensing.md) - [Prior restraint](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/prior_restraint.md) - [Secrets and espionage laws](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/secrets_and_espionage_laws.md) - [Insult and defamation laws](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/insult_and_defamation_laws.md) - [Surveillance and subpoenas](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/surveillance_and_subpoenas.md) - [Funding and ownership pressure](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/funding_and_ownership_pressure.md) - [Expulsion and visa denial](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/expulsion_and_visa_denial.md) - [Shutdowns and blocking](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/shutdowns_and_blocking.md) - [Detention and violence](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/detention_and_violence.md) - [Lawsuits against the press](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/lawsuits_against_press.md) - [Official labels](https://thewaronnews.com/tactics/disinformation_labeling.md) ## Countries - [El Salvador](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/sv.md) - [Hong Kong](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/hk.md) - [Hungary](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/hu.md) - [India](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/in.md) - [Israel](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/il.md) - [Russia](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/ru.md) - [Türkiye](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/tr.md) - [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us.md) ## Incidents - [United States: White House hard-pass deactivations for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, September 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-white-house-bans-cnn-msnow-politico.md): 2026-09-18, US, access_ban - [Russia: law on asset freezes and service denials for exiled "foreign agents", August 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-russia-new-law-targets-exiled-journalists-assets.md): 2026-08-04, RU, disinformation_labeling - [El Salvador: freeze on assets of shareholders in El Faro's parent company, February to April 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-el-salvador-freezes-el-faro-shareholder-assets.md): 2026-04-01, SV, funding_and_ownership_pressure - [India: one-year prison sentence for the journalist Ravi Nair in a criminal defamation case, February 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-india-journalist-sentenced-adani-defamation.md): 2026-02-10, IN, insult_and_defamation_laws - [Israel: ban on independent entry of foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, 2023 to 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-israel-maintains-ban-on-foreign-press-access-to-gaza.md): 2026-01-07, IL, access_ban - [China (Hong Kong): conviction and 20-year sentence of the media owner Jimmy Lai under the National Security Law, 2025 to 2026](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-hong-kong-convicts-jimmy-lai-under-national-security-law.md): 2025-12-15, HK, detention_and_violence - [United States: News organizations turn in their Pentagon press credentials, October 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-pentagon-press-corps-forfeits-badges.md): 2025-10-15, US, credential_control - [United States: Department of Defense press credential rules requiring approval before release of information, September 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-pentagon-issues-new-press-credentialing-rules.md): 2025-09-19, US, credential_control - [United States: Federal Communications Commission chairman's remarks and the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, September 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-fcc-pressure-precedes-kimmel-suspension.md): 2025-09-17, US, funding_and_ownership_pressure - [United States: Paramount settlement of Donald Trump's lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, July 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-paramount-cbs-settle-60-minutes-suit.md): 2025-07-01, US, lawsuits_against_press - [United States: Executive Order 14290 directing an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, May 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-trump-order-ends-cpb-funding-npr-pbs.md): 2025-05-01, US, funding_and_ownership_pressure - [United States: Department of Justice rescission of rules limiting subpoenas of journalists, April 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-doj-rescinds-media-subpoena-guidelines.md): 2025-04-25, US, surveillance_and_subpoenas - [Türkiye: detention, injury and deportation of journalists covering protests, March 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-turkiye-detains-and-deports-journalists-covering-protests.md): 2025-03-19, TR, detention_and_violence - [United States: U.S. Agency for Global Media action to shut down Voice of America operations, March 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-usagm-moves-to-shut-down-voice-of-america.md): 2025-03-15, US, funding_and_ownership_pressure - [United States: White House takes over selection of the presidential press pool, February 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-whca-loses-control-of-press-pool.md): 2025-02-25, US, access_ban - [United States: White House exclusion of the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One, February 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-white-house-bars-ap-gulf-of-america.md): 2025-02-11, US, access_ban - [United States (Louisiana): Federal court order blocking enforcement of the police buffer zone law, January 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-federal-judge-blocks-louisiana-buffer-law.md): 2025-01-31, US, access_ban - [United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-florida-halo-law-takes-effect.md): 2025-01-01, US, access_ban - [United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2024-louisiana-enacts-police-buffer-zone-law.md): 2024-05-24, US, access_ban - [Hungary: National Sovereignty Protection Act and Sovereignty Protection Office, December 2023](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2023-hungary-sovereignty-protection-act.md): 2023-12-20, HU, disinformation_labeling - [United States: White House suspension of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass, November 2018](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2018-white-house-revokes-acosta-press-pass.md): 2018-11-07, US, credential_control - [United States: Espionage Act prosecutions of sources for leaks to the press, 2009 to 2013](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2013-obama-doj-charges-eight-under-espionage-act.md): 2013-10-10, US, secrets_and_espionage_laws - [United States: Nixon White House "enemies list" naming journalists, September 1971](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/1971-nixon-white-house-compiles-enemies-list.md): 1971-09-09, US, surveillance_and_subpoenas ## Cases - [Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-msnow-politico-v-trump-2026.md): 2026-09-21, pending - [Associated Press v. Budowich](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/ap-v-budowich-2025.md): 2025-02-21, on_appeal - [Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-v-trump-2018.md): 2018-11-13, dismissed - [Sherrill v. Knight](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/sherrill-v-knight-1977.md): 1977-12-15, decided ## Data and tools - [Dataset](https://thewaronnews.com/data.md): CSV, JSON, Frictionless datapackage.json; all incidents as CSV at https://thewaronnews.com/incidents.csv - [MCP server](https://thewaronnews.com/mcp.md): Streamable HTTP at /mcp ## Policies - [Sources and standards](https://thewaronnews.com/sources-and-standards.md), [Editorial policy](https://thewaronnews.com/editorial-policy.md), [Corrections](https://thewaronnews.com/corrections.md), [Terms of use](https://thewaronnews.com/terms.md), [Privacy](https://thewaronnews.com/privacy.md) --- # United States: White House hard-pass deactivations for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, September 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 11 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The White House has not said which story or stories prompted the decision (as of 2026-09-22). On September 18, 2026, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Truth Social, a social media platform, and in the Oval Office that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House, the president's office and residence in Washington, D.C. He described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES." On September 19, 2026, the outlets' reporters were denied entry at the White House gates after their hard passes, the standing credentials that let reporters enter the White House press area without applying each day, were deactivated. The outlets sued on September 21, 2026, and the case is pending as of 2026-09-22.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Access bans, Credential control - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Ongoing, September 21, 2026. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C. No. 1:26-cv-03287) was filed on 2026-09-21 and is pending; a hearing is scheduled for 2026-09-23. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On September 18, 2026, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Truth Social and during an appearance in the Oval Office, the president's office in the White House, that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House. He cited accumulated coverage that he called "FICTION and LIES."[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The same day, the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the organization of reporters who cover the president of the United States, then led by Jacqui Heinrich, said the Constitution's press protections "do not depend on whether the president likes a news organization's coverage."[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] On September 19, 2026, the Secret Service, the United States federal agency responsible for protecting the president, turned away CNN's Betsy Klein, MS NOW's Akayla Gardner and Politico's Cheyenne Haslett at the White House gates. One of the reporters said she was told "they had to take my badge because it was disabled."[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] On September 20, 2026, the other television networks in the White House press pool, the small rotating group of reporters who cover the president in spaces too small for the full press corps and share what they gather with other outlets, declined to fill CNN's rotating slot in solidarity, according to the Associated Press. News outlets then published explainers on how the White House press pool works.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. Challenged in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03287, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C. (filed 2026-09-21; pending; hearing scheduled for 2026-09-23).[7] ## What reason was given In his announcement on September 18, 2026, Trump described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES." The same day he told a Bloomberg reporter, "I dislike dishonest press, like you. I think you're terrible." The White House has not identified a specific story that prompted the decision (as of 2026-09-22).[6] ## What changed for reporting Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico can no longer enter the White House grounds with their hard passes, which were deactivated on September 19, 2026 (as of 2026-09-22). On September 20, 2026, the other networks in the White House press pool declined to fill CNN's rotating slot, so no replacement crew covered it for the shared pool feed that other outlets use.[2] ## Timeline - 2026-09-18: United States: White House hard-pass deactivations for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, September 2026 - 2026-09-18: Trump announces CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House - 2026-09-19: Secret Service deactivates the three outlets' hard passes; reporters denied entry - 2026-09-19: WHCA statement on the White House's position on CNN, MS NOW and Politico - 2026-09-20: Other pool networks decline to fill CNN's vacated rotating pool slot - 2026-09-21: CNN, MS NOW and Politico file suit against Trump and the White House - 2026-09-23: Hearing scheduled in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | announced | President of the United States | | [Jacqui Heinrich](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/jacqui-heinrich) | other | President, White House Correspondents' Association (2026) | | [White House Correspondents' Association](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/white-house-correspondents-association) | other | Professional association of accredited White House reporters | | [White House Press Office](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/white-house-press-office) | enforced | Office of the White House Press Secretary | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [CNN](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/cnn) | outlet | affected | | [MS NOW](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/ms-now) | outlet | affected | | [Politico](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/politico) | outlet | affected | | [Akayla Gardner](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/akayla-gardner) | journalist, MS NOW | affected | | [Betsy Klein](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/betsy-klein) | journalist, CNN | affected | | [Cheyenne Haslett](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/cheyenne-haslett) | journalist, Politico | affected | ## Court cases | Case | Court | Docket | Status | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Sherrill v. Knight](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/sherrill-v-knight-1977) | United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit | | decided | precedent cited | | [Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-msnow-politico-v-trump-2026) | U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia | 1:26-cv-03287 | pending | arising from | ## Sources 1. Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House. https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921004920/https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban (NPR, 2026-09-19). 2. Trump claims he will ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/18/media/trump-claims-ban-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920205801/https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/18/media/trump-claims-ban-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house (CNN, 2026-09-18). 3. Statement on White House Position on CNN, MSNOW and Politico. https://whca.press/2026/09/18/statement-on-white-house-position-on-cnn-msnow-and-politico/ (White House Correspondents' Association, 2026-09-18). 4. Trump banning CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House. https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/story?id=136569980 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921065421/https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/story?id=136569980 (ABC News, 2026-09-19). 5. White House Turns Away CNN, MS NOW, Politico Reporters After Trump Announces Ban. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-09-19/white-house-turns-away-cnn-ms-now-politico-reporters-after-trump-announces-ban Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920082910/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-09-19/white-house-turns-away-cnn-ms-now-politico-reporters-after-trump-announces-ban (U.S. News & World Report, 2026-09-19). 6. 'A ban on the free press': White House bars journalists from three outlets. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/19/a-ban-on-the-free-press-white-house-bars-journalists-from-three-outlets Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920010504/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/19/a-ban-on-the-free-press-white-house-bars-journalists-from-three-outlets (Al Jazeera, 2026-09-19). 7. Other networks decline to fill CNN's White House pool slot. https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/20/media/cnn-trump-white-house-pool-ban Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922112204/https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/20/media/cnn-trump-white-house-pool-ban (CNN Business, 2026-09-20). 8. Did Biden cut off 440 reporters' credentials? PolitiFact rates a viral claim. https://politifact.com/factchecks/2026/sep/21/tiktok-posts/trump-white-house-press-ban-biden-440/ (PolitiFact, 2026-09-21). 9. Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crew. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/major-tv-networks-stand-with-cnn-decline-to-replace-its-white-house-pool-crew/article_47bdc4b7-11bd-5c5a-a581-dabefc858a0b.html (AP (via ActionNewsNow), 2026-09-20). 10. Judge sets hearing in CNN, MS NOW, Politico lawsuit over Trump ban. https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/nation-world/judge-sets-hearing-in-cnn-ms-now-politico-lawsuit-over-trump-ban/article_afef5842-6a0a-5b3c-9cb4-f28004c1b323.html (Central Oregon Daily (AP), 2026-09-22). ## Claims cited [1] Trump announced via Truth Social and at an Oval Office appearance that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be banned from the White House. Quote: "No, no, no, no. I dislike dishonest press, like you. I think you're terrible" Source: NPR, 2026-09-19. Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House. https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921004920/https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/1, checked 2026-09-22. [2] CNN's, MS NOW's and Politico's White House hard passes were deactivated and their reporters turned away at the gates. Quote: "they said they weren't sure what was going on, but at the end of the day they had to take my badge because it was disabled." Source: ABC News, 2026-09-19. Trump banning CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House. https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/story?id=136569980 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921065421/https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/story?id=136569980 Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/3, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The White House Correspondents' Association said the Constitution's press protections apply regardless of the president's approval of coverage. Quote: "The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference." Source: White House Correspondents' Association, 2026-09-18. Statement on White House Position on CNN, MSNOW and Politico. https://whca.press/2026/09/18/statement-on-white-house-position-on-cnn-msnow-and-politico/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/90, checked 2026-09-22. [4] Other television networks declined to put a replacement pool crew in CNN's place after CNN's access was revoked. Quote: "There will be no replacement pool put in place." Source: AP (via ActionNewsNow), 2026-09-20. Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crew. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/major-tv-networks-stand-with-cnn-decline-to-replace-its-white-house-pool-crew/article_47bdc4b7-11bd-5c5a-a581-dabefc858a0b.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/91, checked 2026-09-22. [5] A federal judge set an initial hearing for September 23, 2026 in the lawsuit CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed against Trump. Quote: "A federal judge set an initial court hearing for Wednesday, Sept. 23 in the lawsuit CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed against President Donald Trump" Source: Central Oregon Daily (AP), 2026-09-22. Judge sets hearing in CNN, MS NOW, Politico lawsuit over Trump ban. https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/nation-world/judge-sets-hearing-in-cnn-ms-now-politico-lawsuit-over-trump-ban/article_afef5842-6a0a-5b3c-9cb4-f28004c1b323.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/92, checked 2026-09-22. [6] Trump described the outlets' coverage as "FICTION and LIES" as his stated reason for the ban. Quote: "FICTION and LIES" Source: NPR, 2026-09-19. Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House. https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921004920/https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5974854/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-ban Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/106, checked 2026-09-22. [7] CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed suit against the White House and the President, seeking a declaration that the ban violates the Constitution and an injunction restoring access. Quote: "filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes." Source: Axios, 2026-09-21. CNN, MS NOW, Politico sue Trump administration over White House ban. https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-suit Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921132041/https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-suit Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/107, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-white-house-bans-cnn-msnow-politico. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Russia: law on asset freezes and service denials for exiled "foreign agents", August 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On August 4, 2026, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed a law, adopted unanimously by the Russian parliament on July 24, 2026, that allows the authorities to freeze bank accounts, block property and vehicle sales and deny consular services such as passport renewal to Russians in exile who have been designated "foreign agents" or who cooperate with organizations Russia has labelled "undesirable." A "foreign agent" is a Russian legal designation that places a person or organization on a government register and subjects them to added restrictions. Of those designated, "the vast majority are journalists," according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The law entered into force the same day.[1] - Country: [Russia](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/ru) - Where: Russia - Level of government: National - Tactics: Official labels, Funding and ownership pressure - Head of government at the time: [Vladimir Putin](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/vladimir-putin) - Outcome: Sustained, August 4, 2026. Signed and in force on 2026-08-04, according to RSF (s062). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On August 4, 2026, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed into law legislation passed by the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, on July 24, 2026. It applies to Russians living in exile who have been designated "foreign agents" or accused of cooperating with organizations Russia has designated "undesirable," a group that Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organization based in Paris, says is made up mostly of journalists.[1][2][3][4] The law allows the authorities to freeze bank accounts and suspend online banking, ban sales of real estate and vehicles, revoke driving licences, redirect income to state-controlled accounts for seizure, block access to Russia's public services portal and deny consular services, including passport renewal.[1][2][3][4] RSF said the law adds "yet another layer to an already extensive legal arsenal aimed at crushing independent journalism." RSF and Freedom House, a United States-based organization that rates political rights and civil liberties by country, both described it as part of a series of Russian legal measures since 2012 that use the "foreign agent" and "undesirable organization" designations to isolate and financially pressure independent and exiled journalists rather than prosecute them for specific reporting.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect since August 4, 2026.[3] ## What reason was given The sources cited give no official reason for the law beyond Russia's "foreign agent" and "undesirable organization" framework, in place since 2012. RSF and Freedom House describe that framework as treating independent and exiled media as instruments of foreign influence.[4] ## What changed for reporting Exiled Russian journalists designated "foreign agents" can lose access to their bank accounts, their right to sell property and consular services such as passport renewal (as of 2026-08-04).[2] ## Timeline - 2026-08-04: Russia: law on asset freezes and service denials for exiled "foreign agents", August 2026 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [State Duma of Russia](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/state-duma) | legislated | Lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia | | [Vladimir Putin](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/vladimir-putin) | ordered | President of Russia | ## Sources 1. Russia: new law expands Kremlin's legal persecution of exiled journalists. https://rsf.org/en/russia-new-law-expands-kremlin-s-legal-persecution-exiled-journalists (Reporters Without Borders, 2026-07-29). 2. Russia preps to block income of 'foreign agent' journalists. https://cpj.org/2025/02/russia-preps-to-block-income-of-foreign-agent-journalists/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-02). 3. Russia: Freedom in the World 2026. https://freedomhouse.org/country/russia/freedom-world/2026 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920160450/https://freedomhouse.org/country/russia/freedom-world/2026 (Freedom House, 2026). ## Claims cited [1] The law was signed into force. Quote: "Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law into law on August 4, 2026. It entered into force the same day." Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2026-07-29. Russia: new law expands Kremlin's legal persecution of exiled journalists. https://rsf.org/en/russia-new-law-expands-kremlin-s-legal-persecution-exiled-journalists Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/74, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The law enables freezing bank accounts, blocking property sales and denying passport renewal to designated exiled journalists. Quote: "This new law adds yet another layer to an already extensive legal arsenal aimed at crushing independent journalism." Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2026-07-29. Russia: new law expands Kremlin's legal persecution of exiled journalists. https://rsf.org/en/russia-new-law-expands-kremlin-s-legal-persecution-exiled-journalists Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/75, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The law took effect upon signing. Quote: "Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law into law on August 4, 2026. It entered into force the same day." Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2026-07-29. Russia: new law expands Kremlin's legal persecution of exiled journalists. https://rsf.org/en/russia-new-law-expands-kremlin-s-legal-persecution-exiled-journalists Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/76, checked 2026-09-22. [4] No specific stated justification beyond Russia's existing foreign-agent framework was documented. Quote: "On 24 July, the Russian parliament unanimously adopted a new law targeting Russians in exile who have been designated as 'foreign agents'" Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2026-07-29. Russia: new law expands Kremlin's legal persecution of exiled journalists. https://rsf.org/en/russia-new-law-expands-kremlin-s-legal-persecution-exiled-journalists Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/77, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-russia-new-law-targets-exiled-journalists-assets. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # El Salvador: freeze on assets of shareholders in El Faro's parent company, February to April 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state the legal basis Salvadoran authorities gave for the freeze (as of 2026-09-22). Between February and April 2026, the government of El Salvador, headed by the president, Nayib Bukele, placed "preventative annotations" on a bank account and real estate belonging to two partners of Trípode S.A. de C.V., the parent company of the investigative news outlet El Faro, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York. CPJ said on May 8, 2026 that "the targeting of individual shareholders' personal assets marks a dangerous escalation in the Bukele administration's long-standing effort to dismantle El Faro through administrative harassment." The sources cited give no public reason from the Salvadoran government for the measure.[1] - Country: [El Salvador](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/sv) - Where: El Salvador - Level of government: National - Tactic: Funding and ownership pressure - Head of government at the time: [Nayib Bukele](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/nayib-bukele) - Outcome: Sustained, May 8, 2026. In place as reported by CPJ on 2026-05-08; no reversal is reported in the sources cited. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened Between February and April 2026, the government of El Salvador, under the president, Nayib Bukele, froze personal assets of individual shareholders of Trípode S.A. de C.V., the parent company of the investigative outlet El Faro. CPJ reported that the government placed "preventative annotations" on a bank account and real estate belonging to two partners of the company.[1][2][3][4] In a report published on May 8, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the freeze "marks a dangerous escalation in the Bukele administration's long-standing effort to dismantle El Faro through administrative harassment." El Faro has operated partly from exile.[1][2][3][4] The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), an international network of investigative reporters, reported that at least 40 Salvadoran journalists had fled into exile fearing imprisonment as of mid-2025. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has described legal, physical and financial pressure on independent Salvadoran journalism that is pushing it out of the country.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-05-08: In effect, according to CPJ. No reversal is reported in the sources cited.[3] ## What reason was given The Salvadoran government has not given a public reason for the freeze in the sources cited (as of 2026-05-08). The Bukele administration has described earlier actions affecting critical outlets in terms of tax and regulatory compliance.[4] ## What changed for reporting Two partners in El Faro's parent company had a bank account and real estate placed under "preventative annotations," adding personal financial pressure to years of administrative and legal pressure that CPJ and RSF say has pushed Salvadoran journalists into exile.[2] ## Timeline - 2026-04: El Salvador: freeze on assets of shareholders in El Faro's parent company, February to April 2026 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Nayib Bukele](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/nayib-bukele) | enforced | President of El Salvador | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [El Faro](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/el-faro) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. At least 40 journalists have fled El Salvador fearing imprisonment. https://www.icij.org/inside-icij/2025/06/at-least-40-journalists-have-fled-el-salvador-fearing-imprisonment/ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 2025-06). 2. Bukele administration freezes Salvadoran news outlet's assets in latest act of retaliation. https://cpj.org/2026/05/bukele-administration-freezes-salvadoran-news-outlets-assets-in-latest-act-of-retaliation/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-05-08). 3. Independent press under siege in El Salvador: persecution, violence and financial strangulation. https://rsf.org/en/independent-press-under-siege-el-salvador-persecution-violence-and-financial-strangulation-force (Reporters Without Borders). ## Claims cited [1] CPJ reported the asset freeze occurred between February and April 2026. Quote: "Between February and April 2026, the Salvadoran government placed "preventative annotations" on a bank account and real estate property belonging to two partners of Trípode S.A. de C.V." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-05-08. Bukele administration freezes Salvadoran news outlet's assets in latest act of retaliation. https://cpj.org/2026/05/bukele-administration-freezes-salvadoran-news-outlets-assets-in-latest-act-of-retaliation/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/78, checked 2026-09-22. [2] CPJ described the freeze as affecting individual shareholders' personal assets. Quote: "The targeting of individual shareholders' personal assets marks a dangerous escalation in the Bukele administration's long-standing effort to dismantle El Faro through administrative harassment." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-05-08. Bukele administration freezes Salvadoran news outlet's assets in latest act of retaliation. https://cpj.org/2026/05/bukele-administration-freezes-salvadoran-news-outlets-assets-in-latest-act-of-retaliation/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/79, checked 2026-09-22. [3] CPJ's report describing the freeze was published May 8, 2026, with no reported reversal. Quote: "Between February and April 2026, the Salvadoran government placed "preventative annotations" on a bank account and real estate property belonging to two partners of Trípode S.A. de C.V." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-05-08. Bukele administration freezes Salvadoran news outlet's assets in latest act of retaliation. https://cpj.org/2026/05/bukele-administration-freezes-salvadoran-news-outlets-assets-in-latest-act-of-retaliation/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/80, checked 2026-09-22. [4] No specific public rationale for the freeze was documented in CPJ's report. Quote: "Between February and April 2026, the Salvadoran government placed "preventative annotations" on a bank account and real estate property belonging to two partners of Trípode S.A. de C.V." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-05-08. Bukele administration freezes Salvadoran news outlet's assets in latest act of retaliation. https://cpj.org/2026/05/bukele-administration-freezes-salvadoran-news-outlets-assets-in-latest-act-of-retaliation/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/81, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-el-salvador-freezes-el-faro-shareholder-assets. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # India: one-year prison sentence for the journalist Ravi Nair in a criminal defamation case, February 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether Nair has appealed, or which court sentenced him (as of 2026-09-22). On February 10, 2026, a court in India sentenced the investigative journalist Ravi Nair to one year in prison and a fine of 5,000 rupees (about US$55) for criminal defamation, an offence under which a statement that damages someone's reputation can lead to a fine or prison sentence. The case concerned posts on the platform X between October 2020 and July 2021 and articles on Adani Watch, an Australian non-profit investigative site, that criticized the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate. CIVICUS Monitor, which tracks civic freedoms by country, recorded the sentence among arrests, detentions and police summonses of Indian journalists in the same period.[1] - Country: [India](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/in) - Where: India - Level of government: National - Tactics: Insult and defamation laws, Detention and violence - Head of government at the time: [Narendra Modi](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/narendra-modi) - Outcome: Unknown, February 10, 2026. Sentenced on 2026-02-10; no appeal or ruling on appeal appears in the sources cited. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On February 10, 2026, the investigative journalist Ravi Nair was sentenced in India to one year's imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 rupees in a criminal defamation case over social media posts and articles critical of the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.[1][2][3] CIVICUS Monitor, a research project of the global civil society alliance CIVICUS, recorded the sentence alongside other incidents in the same period: the February 18, 2026 ambush and beating of the journalist Khoirom Loyalakpa in Imphal, the capital of the state of Manipur, and police summonses of Bashaarat Masood of The Indian Express and Ashiq Hussain of Hindustan Times for questioning about their coverage of law enforcement in Kashmir.[1][2][3] CIVICUS also reported proposed information technology rules that would extend the government's system of takedown orders to individual journalists posting on social media, which it said would add to legal pressure on independent reporting.[1][2][3] Status as of 2026-09-22: Not publicly stated. Nair was sentenced on February 10, 2026; the sources cited do not state whether he has appealed.[3] ## What reason was given The case was a criminal defamation prosecution over Nair's published statements about the Adani Group. The sources cited record no statement of reason from the government of India.[1][2][3] ## What changed for reporting Nair faces a year in prison over his posts and articles about the Adani Group (as of February 2026). CIVICUS wrote that in India "sedition and anti-terror laws were used to criminalise journalists, comedians, academics and students exercising their right to freedom of expression."[2] ## Timeline - 2026-02-10: India: one-year prison sentence for the journalist Ravi Nair in a criminal defamation case, February 2026 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Adani Group](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/adani-group) | other | Private conglomerate; complainant in defamation proceedings against a journalist | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [The Indian Express](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/indian-express) | outlet | affected | | [Ravi Nair](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/ravi-nair) | journalist, The Indian Express | affected | ## Sources 1. India: activists arrested, journalists targeted and laws tightened to increase control. https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/india-activists-arrested-abducted-and-tortured-journalists-targeted-and-laws-tightened-to-increase-control/ (CIVICUS Monitor, 2026). 2. India: three journalists arrested amid crackdown on press. https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/article/india-three-journalists-arrested-amid-crackdown-on-press (International Federation of Journalists). ## Claims cited [1] Ravi Nair was sentenced to one year in prison over the defamation case. Quote: "investigative journalist Ravi Nair was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for defamation over social media posts critical of the Adani Group." Source: CIVICUS Monitor, 2026. India: activists arrested, journalists targeted and laws tightened to increase control. https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/india-activists-arrested-abducted-and-tortured-journalists-targeted-and-laws-tightened-to-increase-control/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/71, checked 2026-09-22. [2] CIVICUS documented the sentencing alongside other arrests and summonses of Indian journalists in the same period. Quote: "sedition and anti-terror laws were used to criminalise journalists, comedians, academics and students exercising their right to freedom of expression." Source: CIVICUS Monitor, 2026. India: activists arrested, journalists targeted and laws tightened to increase control. https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/india-activists-arrested-abducted-and-tortured-journalists-targeted-and-laws-tightened-to-increase-control/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/72, checked 2026-09-22. [3] CIVICUS reported the sentencing as of its 2026 monitoring. Quote: "convicted Nair and sentenced him to jail and a fine of 5,000 rupees (USD 55) for his posts between October 2020 and July 2021 on the X platform and articles on the Australian nonprofit Adani Watch investigative site." Source: CIVICUS Monitor, 2026. India: activists arrested, journalists targeted and laws tightened to increase control. https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/india-activists-arrested-abducted-and-tortured-journalists-targeted-and-laws-tightened-to-increase-control/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/73, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-india-journalist-sentenced-adani-defamation. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Israel: ban on independent entry of foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, 2023 to 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether Israel's Supreme Court has ruled on the Foreign Press Association's petition (as of 2026-09-22). Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, the government of Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory on the Mediterranean coast between Israel and Egypt, independently; foreign correspondents have entered only on trips escorted by the Israeli military. On January 7, 2026, Al Jazeera reported that the Foreign Press Association, which represents journalists from international news organizations, had condemned the government's decision to keep the ban. The government had told Israel's Supreme Court that the ban should be maintained due to "security reasons," according to Al Jazeera. On February 25, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that the ban was still in place.[1] - Country: [Israel](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/il) - Where: Israel - Level of government: National - Tactics: Access bans, Expulsion and visa denial - Issue of the day: The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023. - Outcome: Sustained, February 25, 2026. In effect as of CPJ's report of 2026-02-25; the government asked Israel's Supreme Court in January 2026 to keep the ban. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, the government of Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip independently. Foreign correspondents have been able to enter only on trips escorted by the Israeli military, which limits their ability to check conditions on the ground for themselves.[2][3][1] On January 7, 2026, Al Jazeera reported a statement by the Foreign Press Association (FPA), which represents journalists from international news organizations working in Israel and Gaza. The FPA said, "Instead of presenting a plan for allowing journalists into Gaza independently and letting us work alongside our brave Palestinian colleagues, the government has decided once again to lock us out."[2][3][1] On February 25, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York that documents cases of journalists imprisoned or killed worldwide, published a special report recording 129 media workers killed in 2025 and holding Israel responsible for about two of every three of those deaths. CPJ separately documented what it called a pattern of harm to Palestinian journalists and media workers, and in 2026 published a review of the method it uses to count them.[2][3][1] Status as of 2026-02-25: In effect, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.[2] ## What reason was given Israeli authorities have cited military security concerns for restricting the movement of foreign journalists in Gaza. In January 2026, the government told Israel's Supreme Court that the ban should be maintained due to "security reasons" and that its position was "based on the position of the defence establishment," according to Al Jazeera.[2][3][1] ## What changed for reporting International coverage of Gaza has relied on Palestinian journalists working inside the territory, rather than on foreign correspondents reporting independently.[3] ## Timeline - 2026-01-07: Israel: ban on independent entry of foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, 2023 to 2026 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Government of Israel](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/government-of-israel) | enforced | National government | ## Sources 1. Record 129 press members killed in 2025; Israel responsible for two of three deaths. https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921091230/https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-02-25). 2. CPJ documentation of Israeli harm against Palestinian journalists and media workers. https://cpj.org/2026/04/cpj-documentation-of-israeli-harm-against-palestinian-journalists-media-workers/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-04). 3. Media body condemns Israel's continued ban on foreign media access to Gaza. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/7/media-body-condemns-israels-continued-ban-on-foreign-media-access-to-gaza (Al Jazeera, 2026-01-07). ## Claims cited [1] A media-freedom body's statement condemning Israel's continued ban on independent international media access to Gaza was reported. Quote: "Instead of presenting a plan for allowing journalists into Gaza independently and letting us work alongside our brave Palestinian colleagues, the government has decided once again to lock us out." Source: Al Jazeera, 2026-01-07. Media body condemns Israel's continued ban on foreign media access to Gaza. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/7/media-body-condemns-israels-continued-ban-on-foreign-media-access-to-gaza Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/113, checked 2026-09-22. [2] CPJ's February 2026 report described the access ban as ongoing. Quote: "ban on independent foreign press access" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-02-25. Record 129 press members killed in 2025; Israel responsible for two of three deaths. https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921091230/https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/105, checked 2026-09-22. [3] With international correspondents barred from independent entry, Palestinian journalists carried the bulk of on-the-ground reporting. Quote: "ban on independent foreign press access" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-02-25. Record 129 press members killed in 2025; Israel responsible for two of three deaths. https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921091230/https://cpj.org/special-reports/record-129-press-members-killed-in-2025-israel-responsible-for-2-of-3-of-deaths/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/112, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-israel-maintains-ban-on-foreign-press-access-to-gaza. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # China (Hong Kong): conviction and 20-year sentence of the media owner Jimmy Lai under the National Security Law, 2025 to 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 5 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether Lai has appealed (as of 2026-09-22). On December 15, 2025, the High Court of Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China with its own courts, convicted Jimmy Lai, founder of the newspaper Apple Daily, on two counts of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces" under the National Security Law, which China's central government imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious publications." On February 8, 2026, the court sentenced Lai to 20 years in prison. Apple Daily shut down in June 2021 after its accounts were frozen and much of its top leadership was arrested. Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organization, called the charges "bogus."[1] - Country: [Hong Kong](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/hk) - Where: Hong Kong - Level of government: State or province - Tactics: Detention and violence, Licensing and closure of outlets, Secrets and espionage laws - Head of government at the time: [John Lee](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/john-lee) - Outcome: Sustained, February 8, 2026. Sentenced to 20 years in prison on 2026-02-08; no appeal is recorded in the sources cited. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On December 15, 2025, the High Court of Hong Kong convicted the media owner Jimmy Lai on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law, a law China's central government imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious material under sedition legislation dating from British colonial rule. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own courts and legal system.[2][3][4][1] Lai, founder of the newspaper Apple Daily and the magazine Next Magazine, had been detained since his arrest in 2020. Apple Daily shut down in June 2021 after its accounts were frozen and much of its top leadership was arrested, and Next Magazine also closed.[2][3][4][1] On February 8, 2026, the court sentenced Lai to 20 years in prison. Human Rights Watch called the charges "bogus," and United Nations experts expressed dismay at the conviction.[2][3][4][1] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. Lai is imprisoned following his sentencing on February 8, 2026.[4] ## What reason was given Hong Kong prosecutors alleged that Lai conspired with foreign forces and published seditious material through Apple Daily, and the authorities treated the case as a national security matter under the 2020 law. The court ruled that Lai was the "mastermind" of the alleged conspiracies in all three counts.[2] ## What changed for reporting Apple Daily and Next Magazine no longer publish. Apple Daily shut down in June 2021 after its accounts were frozen and much of its top leadership was arrested.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-12-15: China (Hong Kong): conviction and 20-year sentence of the media owner Jimmy Lai under the National Security Law, 2025 to 2026 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Hong Kong Department of Justice](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/hong-kong-department-of-justice) | enforced | Prosecuting authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [Apple Daily](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/apple-daily) | outlet | affected | | [Next Magazine](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/next-magazine) | outlet | affected | | [Jimmy Lai](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/jimmy-lai) | journalist, Apple Daily | affected | ## Sources 1. Explainer: the decline of Hong Kong's press freedom under the National Security Law. https://hongkongfp.com/2026/05/03/explainer-the-decline-of-hong-kongs-press-freedom-under-the-national-security-law/ (Hong Kong Free Press, 2026-05-03). 2. Hong Kong: Freedom in the World 2026. https://freedomhouse.org/country/hong-kong/freedom-world/2026 (Freedom House, 2026). 3. Hong Kong Policy Act Report 2026. https://www.state.gov/hong-kong-conditions-report-2026/ (U.S. Department of State, 2026). 4. Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai convicted on bogus national security charges. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/hong-kong-jimmy-lai-convicted-on-bogus-national-security-charges (Human Rights Watch, 2025-12-15). 5. Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/08/china/jimmy-lai-sentenced-20-years-intl-hnk (CNN, 2026-02-08). ## Claims cited [1] Jimmy Lai was convicted on national-security and sedition charges. Quote: "On December 15, 2025, the High Court found Lai, 78, guilty of two counts of 'conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces' under the draconian National Security Law, and one count of 'conspiracy to publish seditious publications'" Source: Human Rights Watch, 2025-12-15. Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai convicted on bogus national security charges. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/hong-kong-jimmy-lai-convicted-on-bogus-national-security-charges Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/111, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Prosecutors framed the charges as a national-security matter tied to Apple Daily's coverage. Quote: "The court ruled that Lai was the 'mastermind' of the alleged conspiracies in all three counts." Source: Human Rights Watch, 2025-12-15. Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai convicted on bogus national security charges. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/hong-kong-jimmy-lai-convicted-on-bogus-national-security-charges Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/83, checked 2026-09-22. [3] Apple Daily shut down in June 2021 after its accounts were frozen and its leadership arrested. Quote: "Apple Daily, says it is shutting down. Its accounts have been frozen and much of its top leadership has been arrested." Source: Hong Kong Free Press, 2026-05-03. Explainer: the decline of Hong Kong's press freedom under the National Security Law. https://hongkongfp.com/2026/05/03/explainer-the-decline-of-hong-kongs-press-freedom-under-the-national-security-law/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/84, checked 2026-09-22. [4] Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison and remains imprisoned. Quote: "The court ruled that Lai was the 'mastermind' of the alleged conspiracies in all three counts." Source: Human Rights Watch, 2025-12-15. Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai convicted on bogus national security charges. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/hong-kong-jimmy-lai-convicted-on-bogus-national-security-charges Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/85, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-hong-kong-convicts-jimmy-lai-under-national-security-law. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: News organizations turn in their Pentagon press credentials, October 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. Beginning on October 15, 2025, reporters from at least 30 news organizations vacated the press workspace at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, rather than sign the department's new credential pledge, with a deadline of October 17 to remove their belongings. They included ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, CNN, the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and Politico. One America News Network said it would sign. As of 2026-09-22, most of these outlets cover the Pentagon from outside the building.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Credential control, Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Ongoing, April 9, 2026. Credentials were ordered restored for seven New York Times journalists on 2026-03-20; the ruling against the revised policy on 2026-04-09 is on appeal. Most other outlets remain outside the building. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened Beginning on October 15, 2025, reporters from at least 30 news organizations began vacating the press room at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, removing equipment and furniture rather than sign the credential pledge the department issued on September 21, 2025. The deadline to remove belongings was October 17, 2025.[2][1][3] The outlets that declined included ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, CNN, the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and Politico. One America News Network was reported as the only major outlet to accept the terms.[2][1][3] Military Times and Defense News, two publications that cover the United States armed forces and were among the outlets that declined, said the policy "threatens to punish reporters who ask legitimate questions in the course of their daily work."[2][1][3] Status as of 2026-09-22: Partly in effect. The New York Times sued the Department of Defense on December 4, 2025. On March 20, 2026, United States District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the credential-revocation provisions violated constitutional protections and ordered credentials restored for seven Times journalists. After the department issued revised restrictions, Friedman wrote on April 9, 2026 that it "simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action," and the department appealed. Most other outlets cover the Pentagon from outside the building.[3] ## What reason was given The Department of Defense gave no separate reason for requiring the pledge as a condition of the badge. It described the underlying rules as "an important step in preventing leaks that damage operational security and national security."[2][1][3] ## What changed for reporting Reporters from most major news organizations lost routine access to the Pentagon building and its press workspace, and cover the department from outside it (as of 2026-09-22).[2] ## Timeline - 2025-10-15: United States: News organizations turn in their Pentagon press credentials, October 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Pete Hegseth](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/pete-hegseth) | enforced | United States Secretary of Defense | | [United States Department of Defense](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/us-department-of-defense) | enforced | Federal executive department | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [ABC News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/abc-news) | outlet | affected | | [CBS News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/cbs-news) | outlet | affected | | [Military Times / Defense News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/military-times) | outlet | affected | | [The Associated Press](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/associated-press) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. Pentagon press restrictions: what outlets are doing. https://www.axios.com/2025/10/14/pentagon-press-restrictions-trump-journalists-news-outlets (Axios, 2025-10-14). 2. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture (Wikipedia). ## Claims cited [1] Reporters began vacating the Pentagon press workspace rather than sign the new rules, with a deadline of 2025-10-17 to remove belongings. Quote: "On October 15, reporters began vacating the press room at the Pentagon removing computer servers, furniture, television screens, soundproofing equipment and other items." Source: Wikipedia. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/93, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Nearly all major U.S. news organizations forfeited their Pentagon badges rather than sign the pledge. Quote: "This policy threatens to punish reporters who ask legitimate questions in the course of their daily work." Source: Wikipedia. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/5, checked 2026-09-22. [3] No mass reinstatement of Pentagon credentials has been reported. Quote: "The court imposed a permanent injunction, and ordered the restoration of press credentials and access for the New York Times journalists." Source: Wikipedia. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/94, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-pentagon-press-corps-forfeits-badges. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Department of Defense press credential rules requiring approval before release of information, September 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 5 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The Department of Defense has not published a list of what counts as "sensitive but unclassified" information under the rules (as of 2026-09-22). On September 21, 2025, the United States Department of Defense, the federal department that provides the country's military forces, issued new credential rules for reporters at the Pentagon, its headquarters building, under the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. The rules require that information be approved for public release by an authorizing official "before it is released, even if it is unclassified," and require accredited reporters to pledge not to solicit or publish such information without approval or lose their badges. The Pentagon called the rules "an important step in preventing leaks that damage operational security and national security." A federal judge ruled against the rules in March and April 2026, and the department has appealed (as of 2026-09-22).[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Credential control, Access bans, Prior restraint - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Ongoing, April 9, 2026. Judge Paul Friedman ruled against the credential-revocation provisions on 2026-03-20 and against the revised policy on 2026-04-09; the Department of Defense appealed. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On September 21, 2025, the Department of Defense of the United States, under the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, issued press credential rules that require accredited reporters to sign a pledge not to solicit or publish unclassified but sensitive information without authorization from an appropriate Pentagon official. The rules also restrict reporters' movement inside the Pentagon, the department's headquarters, without an escort.[2][3][4][1] Hegseth said, "The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules," and added, "or go home."[2][3][4][1] Military Times and Defense News, two publications that cover the United States armed forces, said the policy "threatens to punish reporters who ask legitimate questions in the course of their daily work." Most reporters with Pentagon credentials declined to sign and turned in their badges in October 2025 (see the October 2025 entry).[2][3][4][1] Status as of 2026-09-22: Partly in effect. On March 20, 2026, United States District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the rules' credential-revocation provisions violated constitutional protections and ordered credentials restored for seven New York Times journalists. The department issued revised restrictions on March 23, 2026, which the Pentagon Press Association called "a clear violation of the letter and spirit" of the ruling. On April 9, 2026, Friedman wrote that the department "simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action," and the department appealed. Most major outlets work without Pentagon building credentials.[4] ## What reason was given The Department of Defense said the rules were "an important step in preventing leaks that damage operational security and national security."[2] ## What changed for reporting Reporters who declined to sign the pledge lost their Pentagon credentials and building access. Reporters who sign may not solicit or publish sensitive unclassified information unless a Pentagon official has approved its release.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-09-19: United States: Department of Defense press credential rules requiring approval before release of information, September 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Pete Hegseth](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/pete-hegseth) | ordered | United States Secretary of Defense | | [United States Department of Defense](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/us-department-of-defense) | enforced | Federal executive department | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [Military Times / Defense News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/military-times) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. Journalists forced to obtain approval to publish stories in new Pentagon restrictions. https://euronews.com/2025/09/21/journalists-forced-to-obtain-approval-to-publish-stories-in-new-pentagon-restrictions Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922203603/https://www.euronews.com/2025/09/21/journalists-forced-to-obtain-approval-to-publish-stories-in-new-pentagon-restrictions (Euronews, 2025-09-21). 2. Pentagon press restrictions: what outlets are doing. https://www.axios.com/2025/10/14/pentagon-press-restrictions-trump-journalists-news-outlets (Axios, 2025-10-14). 3. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture (Wikipedia). 4. Federal judge finds Pentagon in violation of court order to restore reporters' access. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-judge-finds-pentagon-in-violation-of-court-order-to-restore-reporters-access (PBS NewsHour, 2026-04-09). 5. Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for Pentagon reporters. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/20/g-s1-89713/pentagon-new-strict-guidelines-for-media (NPR, 2025-09-20). ## Claims cited [1] The Pentagon's new press rules were made public on Friday, September 19, 2025, when officials confirmed them to reporters. Quote: "The Pentagon will drastically change its rules for journalists who cover the Department of Defense, two U.S. officials who are not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to NPR Friday." Source: NPR, 2025-09-20. Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for Pentagon reporters. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/20/g-s1-89713/pentagon-new-strict-guidelines-for-media Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/109, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The Pentagon framed the rules as a leak-prevention measure. Quote: "an important step in preventing leaks that damage operational security and national security" Source: Wikipedia. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/33, checked 2026-09-22. [3] Reporters faced a choice between signing the pledge or forfeiting Pentagon press credentials. Quote: "The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home." Source: Wikipedia. 2025 Pentagon press pass forfeiture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920094332/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pentagon_press_pass_forfeiture Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/34, checked 2026-09-22. [4] A federal judge ruled the credentialing rules violated constitutional protections in March 2026 and found the Pentagon's revised version was, in his words, "an unlawful policy," again in April 2026; the Pentagon has appealed. Quote: "The department simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action and expect the court to look the other way," Source: PBS NewsHour, 2026-04-09. Federal judge finds Pentagon in violation of court order to restore reporters' access. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-judge-finds-pentagon-in-violation-of-court-order-to-restore-reporters-access Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/35, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-pentagon-issues-new-press-credentialing-rules. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Federal Communications Commission chairman's remarks and the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, September 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The FCC, ABC, Nexstar and Sinclair have not made public any private communications between them about the suspension (as of 2026-09-22). On September 17, 2025, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the United States regulator of broadcasting, Brendan Carr, said broadcasters could "do this the easy way or the hard way" over remarks by the television host Jimmy Kimmel, and warned of "additional work for the FCC ahead." Within hours, the station owners Nexstar and Sinclair said they would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their stations, and ABC, the network that airs it, did the same, according to NPR. ABC announced that the show would return on September 23, 2025, according to Al Jazeera.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Funding and ownership pressure, Licensing and closure of outlets - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Issue of the day: Jimmy Kimmel's on-air remarks about speculation over the motives of the person who killed Charlie Kirk, according to NPR. - Outcome: Reversed, September 23, 2025. ABC announced the show's return for 2025-09-23 after about a week off the air, according to Al Jazeera (s112). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On September 17, 2025, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the United States regulator that licenses radio and television stations, Brendan Carr, spoke publicly about broadcasters that carried Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kimmel had spoken on air about speculation by some of Donald Trump's supporters over the motives of the person who killed Charlie Kirk, according to NPR.[2][1][3][4] Carr said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." NPR reported that the show was pulled "hours after the U.S. government threatened to cancel broadcasting licenses."[2][1][3][4] Nexstar and Sinclair, companies that own many local television stations affiliated with ABC, announced they would pull the show indefinitely. ABC, the network that airs it, then did the same, according to NPR.[2][1][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Ended. ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return on September 23, 2025, according to Al Jazeera.[4] ## What reason was given Carr said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."[2] ## What changed for reporting Jimmy Kimmel Live! went off the air on ABC and on stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair from September 17, 2025, until ABC returned it to its schedule after "a weeklong impasse," according to Al Jazeera.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-09-17: United States: Federal Communications Commission chairman's remarks and the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, September 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Brendan Carr](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/brendan-carr) | announced | Chair, Federal Communications Commission | | [Federal Communications Commission](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/federal-communications-commission) | other | Independent federal regulatory agency | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [ABC News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/abc-news) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. FCC's Brendan Carr and the Kimmel suspension. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5546764/fcc-brendan-carr-kimmel-trump-free-speech (NPR, 2025-09-19). 2. Why is Jimmy Kimmel returning to ABC, what did his suspension cost Disney?. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/23/why-is-jimmy-kimmel-returning-to-abc-what-did-his-suspension-cost-disney (Al Jazeera, 2025-09-23). ## Claims cited [1] ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! the same day as Carr's remarks. Quote: "Kimmel's late-night show was pulled from the air on September 17 hours after the U.S. government threatened to cancel broadcasting licenses" Source: NPR, 2025-09-19. FCC's Brendan Carr and the Kimmel suspension. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5546764/fcc-brendan-carr-kimmel-trump-free-speech Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/96, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Carr framed the choice for broadcasters as cooperating on Kimmel or facing further FCC scrutiny. Quote: "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." Source: NPR, 2025-09-19. FCC's Brendan Carr and the Kimmel suspension. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5546764/fcc-brendan-carr-kimmel-trump-free-speech Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/8, checked 2026-09-22. [3] ABC and two large affiliate groups pulled or preempted the program within hours of Carr's remarks. Quote: "Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group...announced they would pull Kimmel's show indefinitely. Then, so did ABC." Source: NPR, 2025-09-19. FCC's Brendan Carr and the Kimmel suspension. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5546764/fcc-brendan-carr-kimmel-trump-free-speech Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/97, checked 2026-09-22. [4] Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to ABC's schedule after the suspension. Quote: "Kimmel's show is set to return on Tuesday night, after a weeklong impasse" Source: Al Jazeera, 2025-09-23. Why is Jimmy Kimmel returning to ABC, what did his suspension cost Disney?. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/23/why-is-jimmy-kimmel-returning-to-abc-what-did-his-suspension-cost-disney Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/98, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-fcc-pressure-precedes-kimmel-suspension. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Paramount settlement of Donald Trump's lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, July 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 1 source. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: Paramount has not said whether its pending merger with Skydance Media, which awaited approval from United States regulators, bore on its decision to settle (as of 2026-09-22). On July 1, 2025, Paramount, the parent company of the United States broadcaster CBS News, announced that it would settle for US$16 million a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump, the president of the United States, over how the CBS program 60 Minutes edited a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris, then vice-president. The money goes to Trump's future presidential library and the plaintiffs' fees and costs, and 60 Minutes will release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates, "subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns." Paramount "has maintained that the lawsuit was completely without merit," according to CBS News.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Lawsuits against the press - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Issue of the day: 60 Minutes' editing of a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris, then vice-president of the United States. - Outcome: Sustained, July 1, 2025. Settled on 2025-07-01: US$16 million to Trump's future presidential library and the plaintiffs' fees and costs; 60 Minutes to release transcripts of presidential-candidate interviews. The outcome enum has no value for a settlement; "sustained" records that the settlement terms stand. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened Donald Trump sued CBS News' parent company, Paramount, over 60 Minutes' editing of a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris, then vice-president of the United States. The lawsuit alleged that the network aired two differently edited excerpts of the same answer, on Face the Nation and on 60 Minutes, in a deceptive way. Ronny Jackson was a co-plaintiff.[2][1][3][4] On July 1, 2025, Paramount announced a US$16 million settlement, reached with a mediator. The money goes to Trump's future presidential library and the plaintiffs' fees and costs rather than to Trump or Jackson personally. Paramount said the lawsuit was without merit and that the editing followed standard practice.[2][1][3][4] Under the settlement, 60 Minutes will release transcripts of interviews with presidential candidates, subject to redactions for legal or national security reasons.[2][1][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Settled. The lawsuit ended with the settlement announced on July 1, 2025.[4] ## What reason was given Trump's lawsuit alleged that CBS aired two differently edited excerpts of the same answer from the Harris interview in a deceptive way. Paramount "has maintained that the lawsuit was completely without merit," according to CBS News.[2] ## What changed for reporting Under the settlement announced on July 1, 2025, 60 Minutes will release transcripts of its interviews with presidential candidates, "subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns."[3] ## Timeline - 2025-07-01: United States: Paramount settlement of Donald Trump's lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, July 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | other | President of the United States | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [CBS News](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/cbs-news) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ (CBS News, 2025-07-01). ## Claims cited [1] Paramount announced the $16 million settlement. Quote: "Paramount will settle President Trump's lawsuit over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris for $16 million, the company announced late Tuesday." Source: CBS News, 2025-07-01. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/99, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Paramount maintained the underlying lawsuit was without merit rather than conceding to a stated justification. Quote: "has maintained that the lawsuit was completely without merit" Source: CBS News, 2025-07-01. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/9, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The settlement obligates 60 Minutes to publish transcripts of future presidential-candidate interviews, subject to redactions. Quote: "Paramount also agreed that "60 Minutes" will release transcripts of interviews with presidential candidates in the future, "subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns," the statement said." Source: CBS News, 2025-07-01. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/100, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The lawsuit concluded with the $16 million settlement. Quote: "CBS News' parent company worked with a mediator to resolve the lawsuit. Under the agreement, $16 million will be allocated to Mr. Trump's future presidential library and the plaintiffs' fees and costs." Source: CBS News, 2025-07-01. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/101, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-paramount-cbs-settle-60-minutes-suit. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Executive Order 14290 directing an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, May 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state the order's effect in dollars on individual member stations or the outcome of NPR's and PBS's legal response (as of 2026-09-22). On May 1, 2025, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed Executive Order 14290, "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media." It directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private non-profit corporation created by the United States Congress in 1967 to distribute federal money to public radio and television, and federal agencies to stop funding NPR and PBS, the country's non-profit public radio and television networks. The order says public funding for news is "not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence." NPR and PBS said the president cannot cut funding that Congress has appropriated to CPB.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Funding and ownership pressure - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Unknown. No court ruling on Executive Order 14290 and no final funding figure appears in the sources cited (as of 2026-09-22). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On May 1, 2025, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed Executive Order 14290, titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media." An executive order is a written directive through which the president manages the federal government. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and federal agencies to end direct and indirect funding of NPR and PBS. It says the two networks violate the requirement of balanced coverage in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, the United States law that created CPB.[1][2][3][4] NPR and PBS said CPB is a private, congressionally chartered non-profit and that decisions on federal funding rest with Congress, the national legislature, not with the president. Both said they would contest the order rather than comply voluntarily.[1][2][3][4] Later in 2025, Congress took separate action on public broadcasting funds, including moves to take back money it had already appropriated to CPB.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. NPR and PBS say the order is not self-executing and have contested it; disputes over CPB funding continued through 2025 through separate action by Congress.[4] ## What reason was given The order says public funding for news programming is "not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence." The accompanying White House fact sheet said, "Neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to tax-paying citizens."[2] ## What changed for reporting The order directs CPB and federal agencies to stop funding NPR and PBS, whose member stations include smaller rural and tribal stations that rely most heavily on CPB grants for their operating budgets.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-05-01: United States: Executive Order 14290 directing an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, May 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | ordered | President of the United States | | [United States Congress](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/congress-of-the-united-states) | other | Federal legislature | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [NPR](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/npr) | outlet | affected | | [PBS](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/pbs) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. Trump's attacks on press freedom escalate: NPR, PBS funding cuts explained. https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/trumps-attacks-on-press-freedom-escalate-npr-pbs-funding-cuts-explained Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917151216/https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/trumps-attacks-on-press-freedom-escalate-npr-pbs-funding-cuts-explained (ACLU, 2025-05-02). 2. Executive Order 14290. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14290 (Wikipedia). 3. Trump says he's ending federal funding for NPR and PBS. They say he can't. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5384790/trump-orders-end-to-federal-funding-for-npr-and-pbs (NPR, 2025-05-02). ## Claims cited [1] Trump signed Executive Order 14290. Quote: "Executive Order 14290, titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media", is an executive order signed by U.S. president Donald Trump on May 1, 2025" Source: Wikipedia. Executive Order 14290. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14290 Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/36, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The order and White House fact sheet said funding was "corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence" and that NPR and PBS present coverage that is not "fair, accurate or unbiased." Quote: "not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence" Source: Wikipedia. Executive Order 14290. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14290 Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/37, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The order directs agencies and CPB to stop funding NPR and PBS. Quote: "Neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to tax-paying citizens" Source: NPR, 2025-05-02. Trump says he's ending federal funding for NPR and PBS. They say he can't. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5384790/trump-orders-end-to-federal-funding-for-npr-and-pbs Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/38, checked 2026-09-22. [4] NPR and PBS said the president cannot unilaterally cut CPB's congressionally appropriated funding. Quote: "CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority. Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government." Source: NPR, 2025-05-02. Trump says he's ending federal funding for NPR and PBS. They say he can't. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5384790/trump-orders-end-to-federal-funding-for-npr-and-pbs Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/39, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-trump-order-ends-cpb-funding-npr-pbs. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Department of Justice rescission of rules limiting subpoenas of journalists, April 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 1 source. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether the Department of Justice has subpoenaed a journalist under the restored balancing test (as of 2026-09-22). On April 25, 2025, the Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, head of the Department of Justice, the federal department that prosecutes federal crimes, rescinded rules adopted in 2021 and 2022 under her predecessor, Merrick Garland, that barred prosecutors from seeking reporters' records or testimony to identify the sources of leaks. Bondi's memo said leaks of sensitive information to the media undermine the department's ability "to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe." The department returned to a test that weighs law enforcement interests against press freedom, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a United States non-profit that provides legal help to journalists.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Surveillance and subpoenas - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Sustained, April 25, 2025. In effect since 2025-04-25; the sources cited report no restoration of the earlier rules (as of 2026-09-22). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On April 25, 2025, the Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, issued a memo rescinding Department of Justice rules, adopted in a 2021 memo and a 2022 rewrite of the department's media guidelines under Attorney General Merrick Garland, that set a firm rule against subpoenaing journalists' records or compelling their testimony to identify the sources of unauthorized leaks. A subpoena is a legal order that compels a person to testify or hand over records.[2][3][1][4] The rescission returned the department to a pre-2022 balancing test that weighs law enforcement interests against press freedom. The earlier rules had been adopted after it became known that the Department of Justice, during Trump's first term as president and later under President Joe Biden, had secretly obtained reporters' phone and email records.[2][3][1][4] The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a United States non-profit that provides legal help to journalists, said leak investigations "chill newsgathering and reporting in the public interest."[2][3][1][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. The sources cited report no restoration of the 2021 and 2022 rules.[4] ## What reason was given A Department of Justice memo said, "Federal government employees intentionally leaking sensitive information to the media undermines the ability of the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe."[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists who cover national security and law enforcement in the United States can again be subpoenaed for records or compelled to testify in leak investigations, which the 2021 and 2022 rules had been written to prevent.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-04-25: United States: Department of Justice rescission of rules limiting subpoenas of journalists, April 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Pam Bondi](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/pam-bondi) | ordered | Attorney General of the United States | | [United States Department of Justice](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/us-department-of-justice) | enforced | Federal executive department | ## Sources 1. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25). ## Claims cited [1] Attorney General Bondi rescinded the Biden-era media guidelines. Quote: "On April 25, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum to all U.S. Department of Justice employees titled '[Updated Policy Regarding Obtaining Information From, or Records of, Members of the News Media]" Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/102, checked 2026-09-22. [2] A DOJ memo framed the rescission as necessary to combat leaks. Quote: "Federal government employees intentionally leaking sensitive information to the media undermines the ability of the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe." Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/10, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The rescission reopened the door to compelling journalists' testimony and records in leak investigations. Quote: "By their nature, leak investigations chill newsgathering and reporting in the public interest." Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/11, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The rescission remains in force as of this writing. Quote: "The text of the revised regulation confirms that Bondi has rescinded the reforms implemented by former Attorney General Merrick Garland in a 2021 memo and the 2022 rewrite of the 50.10 guidelines." Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/103, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-doj-rescinds-media-subpoena-guidelines. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Türkiye: detention, injury and deportation of journalists covering protests, March 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 1 source. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not give the legal outcome for each detained journalist (as of 2026-09-22). After the detention of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on March 19, 2025, protests spread in Türkiye, and between March 19 and March 28, 2025, the authorities detained at least 13 journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York. From March 21 to 23, 2025, at least 14 journalists were injured after being beaten or shot with rubber bullets by Istanbul police, and on March 27 police detained the BBC correspondent Mark Lowen and deported him. CPJ said on April 2, 2025 that the authorities "have since arrested thousands of protesters and have moved aggressively to tamp down media coverage."[1] - Country: [Türkiye](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/tr) - Where: Türkiye - Level of government: National - Tactics: Detention and violence, Expulsion and visa denial - Head of government at the time: [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/recep-tayyip-erdogan) - Issue of the day: The detention of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on March 19, 2025, and the protests that followed. - Outcome: Unknown, April 2, 2025. CPJ's report of 2025-04-02 describes the restrictions as continuing; the outcomes for individual journalists are not recorded. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On March 19, 2025, Turkish authorities detained the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, whom CPJ described as a potential challenger to the president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in the next presidential election. Protests followed.[1][2][3][4] Between March 19 and March 28, 2025, at least 13 journalists were detained, including the reporter İsmail Saymaz, detained at his home in Istanbul on March 19, and the photojournalist Zişan Gür, detained while covering protests on March 23. From March 21 to 23, at least 14 journalists were injured after being beaten or shot with rubber bullets by Istanbul police. On March 27, Istanbul police detained the BBC correspondent Mark Lowen and deported him to London.[1][2][3][4] In a report of April 2, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York, said the Turkish authorities "have since arrested thousands of protesters and have moved aggressively to tamp down media coverage" of the demonstrations.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2025-04-02: Not publicly stated. CPJ described the detentions and restrictions on coverage as continuing amid mass arrests of protesters.[4] ## What reason was given The authorities cited "accusations of corruption" against Istanbul's municipal government, controlled by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), as the basis for the action against İmamoğlu. The sources cited give no separate reason for the detentions of journalists.[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists covering the protests were detained, injured or, in Lowen's case, deported between March 19 and March 28, 2025, which reduced on-the-ground coverage of the demonstrations and their policing.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-03-19: Türkiye: detention, injury and deportation of journalists covering protests, March 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Government of Turkiye](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/government-of-turkiye) | enforced | National government | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [BBC](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/bbc) | outlet | affected | | [Mark Lowen](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/mark-lowen) | journalist, BBC | affected | ## Sources 1. Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition. https://cpj.org/2025/04/journalists-in-turkey-arrested-beaten-deported-amid-government-crackdown-on-opposition/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-04-02). ## Claims cited [1] Restrictions on journalists covering the protests began with Ismail Saymaz's detention. Quote: "On March 19, police detained freelance reporter and TV commentator İsmail Saymaz at his house in Istanbul." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-04-02. Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition. https://cpj.org/2025/04/journalists-in-turkey-arrested-beaten-deported-amid-government-crackdown-on-opposition/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/86, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Authorities cited corruption allegations against the CHP-controlled Istanbul municipality as the basis for the underlying restrictions. Quote: "accusations of corruption" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-04-02. Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition. https://cpj.org/2025/04/journalists-in-turkey-arrested-beaten-deported-amid-government-crackdown-on-opposition/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/87, checked 2026-09-22. [3] CPJ documented detentions, beatings and the deportation of BBC's Mark Lowen among journalists covering the protests. Quote: "authorities have since arrested thousands of protesters and have moved aggressively to tamp down media coverage" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-04-02. Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition. https://cpj.org/2025/04/journalists-in-turkey-arrested-beaten-deported-amid-government-crackdown-on-opposition/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/88, checked 2026-09-22. [4] CPJ's report described the restrictions as continuing amid mass arrests of protesters. Quote: "press freedom advocates are concerned that authorities are deliberately targeting them to suppress coverage" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2025-04-02. Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition. https://cpj.org/2025/04/journalists-in-turkey-arrested-beaten-deported-amid-government-crackdown-on-opposition/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/89, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-turkiye-detains-and-deports-journalists-covering-protests. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: U.S. Agency for Global Media action to shut down Voice of America operations, March 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 5 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state the final outcome of the lawsuit or USAGM's long-term staffing plan for VOA (as of 2026-09-22). Beginning on March 15, 2025, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the United States federal agency that oversees the government's international broadcasters, placed most of its staff on paid administrative leave and moved to shut down the operations of Voice of America (VOA), the United States government's international broadcaster. Kari Lake, a senior advisor at USAGM, carried out the action under an executive order of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to reduce the federal bureaucracy. VOA journalists sued on March 21, 2025, and on March 28, 2025, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, a short-term order made before a full hearing, that barred the agency from reducing its workforce.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Funding and ownership pressure - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Ongoing, March 28, 2025. A temporary restraining order of 2025-03-28 barred USAGM from reducing its workforce; litigation continued into 2026. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened In March 2025, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order directing federal agencies to reduce their workforce. Kari Lake, installed as a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency that oversees Voice of America (VOA), moved to shut down VOA's operations. The agency cancelled leases and placed nearly all VOA staff on administrative leave beginning on March 15, 2025.[1][2][3][4] On March 21, 2025, VOA and USAGM journalists, represented in part by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a union of United States federal employees, sued the Trump administration and Lake. They argued that the shutdown violated the law that establishes VOA's editorial independence.[1][2][3][4] On March 28, 2025, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the agency to restore operations, in Widakuswara v. Lake. Further staff cuts and litigation continued into 2026, including a March 2026 order returning about 1,000 VOA staff to work.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Partly in effect. Litigation over VOA's staffing and operations continued into 2026, with courts repeatedly ordering the agency to restore staff and functions.[4] ## What reason was given USAGM said it was complying with the executive order to "reduce the federal bureaucracy" and cutting costs, including by cancelling what it called an "obscenely expensive 15-year lease."[2] ## What changed for reporting VOA broadcasts to audiences in countries including Iran, China and Russia were interrupted, and hundreds of journalists were placed on leave or laid off.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-03-15: United States: U.S. Agency for Global Media action to shut down Voice of America operations, March 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | ordered | President of the United States | | [Kari Lake](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/kari-lake) | enforced | Senior Advisor, U.S. Agency for Global Media | | [U.S. Agency for Global Media](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/us-agency-for-global-media) | enforced | Federal agency overseeing Voice of America | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [Voice of America](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/voice-of-america) | outlet | affected | ## Sources 1. Voice of America journalists sue Trump administration, Kari Lake over shutdown. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5336351/voice-of-america-trump-lawsuit-kari-lake-voa (NPR, 2025-03-21). 2. Judge invalidates Trump administration's attempts to dismantle Voice of America. https://www.afge.org/article/judge-invalidates-trump-administrations-attempts-to-dismantle-voice-of-america/ (American Federation of Government Employees, 2025-03-22). 3. USAGM complies with presidential executive order to reduce the federal bureaucracy. https://www.usagm.gov/2025/03/15/u-s-agency-for-global-media-complies-with-presidential-executive-order-to-reduce-the-federal-bureaucracy/ (U.S. Agency for Global Media, 2025-03-15). 4. Voice of America's full-time staff and contractors placed on leave following Trump directive. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-order-to-cut-staff-at-voice-of-america-media/ (CBS News, 2025-03-15). 5. Widakuswara v. Kari Lake, temporary restraining order. https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-Widakuswara-v-Kari-Lake-tro.pdf (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (via Just Security), 2025-03-28). ## Claims cited [1] USAGM began winding down VOA operations and placing staff on leave. Quote: "Most USAGM staff affected by this action will be placed on paid-administrative leave beginning Saturday, March 15, 2025, and remain on leave until further notice." Source: NPR, 2025-03-21. Voice of America journalists sue Trump administration, Kari Lake over shutdown. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5336351/voice-of-america-trump-lawsuit-kari-lake-voa Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/40, checked 2026-09-22. [2] USAGM said the actions complied with a presidential executive order to shrink the federal bureaucracy. Quote: "Obscene over-spending including a nearly quarter-of-a-million-dollar lease for a Pennsylvania Avenue high-rise that has no broadcasting facilities to meet the needs of the agency" Source: NPR, 2025-03-21. Voice of America journalists sue Trump administration, Kari Lake over shutdown. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5336351/voice-of-america-trump-lawsuit-kari-lake-voa Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/41, checked 2026-09-22. [3] VOA's programming to audiences abroad was interrupted as most staff were placed on administrative leave. Quote: "today's action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its vital mission. That mission is especially critical today, when America's adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States." Source: American Federation of Government Employees, 2025-03-22. Judge invalidates Trump administration's attempts to dismantle Voice of America. https://www.afge.org/article/judge-invalidates-trump-administrations-attempts-to-dismantle-voice-of-america/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/42, checked 2026-09-22. [4] A federal judge invalidated the shutdown attempt and ordered VOA operations restored pending litigation. Quote: "temporarily enjoined defendants from taking actions to reduce USAGM's workforce (whether employees, contractors, or grantees)" Source: American Federation of Government Employees, 2025-03-22. Judge invalidates Trump administration's attempts to dismantle Voice of America. https://www.afge.org/article/judge-invalidates-trump-administrations-attempts-to-dismantle-voice-of-america/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/43, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-usagm-moves-to-shut-down-voice-of-america. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: White House takes over selection of the presidential press pool, February 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On February 25, 2025, the White House announced that it would decide which journalists join the press pool, the small rotating group of reporters who cover the president of the United States in spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One and share what they gather with other outlets. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the organization of reporters who cover the president, said that for more than a century "working journalists" and "not government officials" had "determined pool rotation procedures." As of 2026-09-22, the White House selects the pool, according to the Associated Press.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Access bans, Credential control - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Outcome: Sustained, September 22, 2026. The White House selects the pool as of 2026-09-22, according to the Associated Press (s104). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On February 25, 2025, the White House announced that it would select the journalists who join the limited-space press pool that covers the president of the United States in the Oval Office, on Air Force One and at other small venues. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the organization of reporters who cover the president, and its member outlets had managed the rotation for more than a century.[1][2][3] The WHCA president, Eugene Daniels, said the association had not been consulted and that the change "suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president." The WHCA said it would continue to press for comprehensive access and full transparency.[1][2][3] The announcement came nine days after the White House began excluding the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One (see the February 2025 entry).[1][2][3] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. The White House "now picks and chooses which members of the media make up the pool," according to the Associated Press.[3] ## What reason was given The White House asserted its authority over access to spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One. It has not given a further reason for taking over pool selection (as of 2026-09-22).[1][2][3] ## What changed for reporting The White House, rather than the working press corps, decides which outlets rotate into the pool that covers the president in small venues, and the pool has included outlets that were not part of the previous rotation (as of 2026-09-22).[2] ## Timeline - 2025-02-25: United States: White House takes over selection of the presidential press pool, February 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | ordered | President of the United States | | [Eugene Daniels](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/eugene-daniels) | other | President, White House Correspondents' Association (2025) | | [White House Correspondents' Association](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/white-house-correspondents-association) | other | Professional association of accredited White House reporters | | [White House Press Office](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/white-house-press-office) | announced | Office of the White House Press Secretary | ## Sources 1. WHCA Statement on White House Announcement on Press Pool. https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920181424/https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ (White House Correspondents' Association, 2025-02-25). 2. White House shakes up press pool. https://www.yahoo.com/news/white-house-shakes-press-pool-005713395.html (Yahoo News / wire). 3. What is the White House pool? These days, it's a battleground between Trump and free press rights. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/22/what-is-the-white-house-pool-its-a-battleground-between-trump-and-free-press-rights (AP (via MPR News), 2026-09-22). ## Claims cited [1] The White House announced it would take over press pool selection. Quote: "This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president." Source: White House Correspondents' Association, 2025-02-25. WHCA Statement on White House Announcement on Press Pool. https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920181424/https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/6, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Pool composition, previously set by the WHCA board, is now set by the White House. Quote: "for over a century, working journalists—not government officials—have determined pool rotation procedures" Source: White House Correspondents' Association, 2025-02-25. WHCA Statement on White House Announcement on Press Pool. https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920181424/https://whca.press/2025/02/25/whca-statement-on-white-house-announcement-on-press-pool/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/7, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The change in pool control has not been reversed; the White House continued to select the pool as of September 2026. Quote: "Last year, the Trump White House upended a decades-long tradition of an independent association of journalists selecting members of the pool. The White House now picks and chooses which members of the media make up the pool." Source: AP (via MPR News), 2026-09-22. What is the White House pool? These days, it's a battleground between Trump and free press rights. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/22/what-is-the-white-house-pool-its-a-battleground-between-trump-and-free-press-rights Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/95, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-whca-loses-control-of-press-pool. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: White House exclusion of the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One, February 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 6 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On February 16, 2025, the White House, the office of the president of the United States, began barring journalists from the Associated Press (AP), a United States news agency, from the Oval Office and Air Force One, the aircraft that carries the president. The exclusion followed AP's decision to keep using the name "Gulf of Mexico" after an executive order of the president, Donald Trump, renamed the body of water the "Gulf of America" for United States federal purposes. Trump told reporters, "We're going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it's the Gulf of America," according to NPR. AP sued on February 21, 2025; as of 2026-09-22, a partial stay by a federal appeals court leaves AP excluded from the Oval Office and Air Force One.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Issue of the day: AP's continued use of the name "Gulf of Mexico" after an executive order of the president of the United States renamed the body of water the "Gulf of America" for federal purposes. - Outcome: Ongoing, July 22, 2025. The D.C. Circuit's partial stay of 2025-06-06 keeps AP out of the Oval Office, Air Force One, Mar-a-Lago and the Cabinet Room and admits it to the East Room; the full court denied rehearing en banc on 2025-07-22. The appeal is pending. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On February 16, 2025, the White House began excluding Associated Press journalists from the Oval Office, the president's office, and from Air Force One, the president's aircraft. AP's style guide had continued to use the name "Gulf of Mexico" after an executive order, a written directive of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, renamed it the "Gulf of America" for United States federal purposes. AP said it would keep using the historical name while noting the new one.[2][3][4][1] On February 21, 2025, AP sued White House officials, including Taylor Budowich, the White House deputy chief of staff, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C. (Associated Press v. Budowich, No. 1:25-cv-00532). The complaint alleges "First Amendment retaliation," a claim under the part of the United States Constitution that protects freedom of the press.[2][3][4][1] On February 25, 2025, a federal judge declined to order AP's access restored immediately while the case proceeded, according to Euronews. The case later produced a preliminary injunction, a partial stay by the D.C. Circuit, the federal appeals court for Washington, D.C., and a refusal by the full appeals court to rehear the case (see the case page).[2][3][4][1] Status as of 2026-09-22: Partly in effect. Under a partial stay granted 2 to 1 by the D.C. Circuit on 2025-06-06, AP remains excluded from the Oval Office, Air Force One, Mar-a-Lago and the Cabinet Room and keeps access to the East Room. See Associated Press v. Budowich.[4] ## What reason was given Trump told reporters in February 2025, "We're going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it's the Gulf of America," according to NPR. The White House tied AP's access to its use of the name set by the executive order.[2] ## What changed for reporting AP reporters and photographers lost access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, small spaces where the news agency had held a regular place in the rotating press pool that covers the president. Trump and his aides barred AP's White House reporters from "dozens of events since February," including events limited to the pool, according to NPR.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-02-11: United States: White House exclusion of the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One, February 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | ordered | President of the United States | | [Taylor Budowich](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/taylor-budowich) | enforced | White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications | | [White House Press Office](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/white-house-press-office) | enforced | Office of the White House Press Secretary | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [The Associated Press](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/associated-press) | outlet | affected | ## Court cases | Case | Court | Docket | Status | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Associated Press v. Budowich](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/ap-v-budowich-2025) | U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit | 1:25-cv-00532 (D.D.C.); No. 25-5109 (D.C. Cir.) | on appeal | arising from | ## Sources 1. White House bans Associated Press from Oval Office, Air Force One. https://www.newsonair.gov.in/white-house-bans-associated-press-from-oval-office-air-force-one (News on Air (Prasar Bharati), 2025-02-16). 2. AP sues White House officials over Gulf of America access ban. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260918063352/https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump (NPR, 2025-02-21). 3. US judge refuses to immediately overturn Trump's AP White House ban. https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/25/us-judge-refuses-to-overturn-trumps-ap-white-house-ban-amid-gulf-of-america-row (Euronews, 2025-02-25). 4. Judge orders AP's Oval Office, Air Force One access restored. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/08/nx-s1-5342369/ap-white-house-court-ruling-oval-office-gulf-of-mexico-america (NPR, 2025-04-08). 5. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_v._Budowich (Wikipedia). 6. White House blocks AP reporter from Oval Office event over 'Gulf of America' policy. https://www.voanews.com/a/white-house-blocks-ap-reporter-from-oval-office-event-over-gulf-of-america-policy/7972268.html (Voice of America, 2025-02-12). ## Claims cited [1] The White House first barred an Associated Press reporter from an Oval Office event on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Quote: "The White House blocked an Associated Press reporter from an event in the Oval Office on Tuesday because the news agency has not altered its style on the Gulf of Mexico" Source: Voice of America, 2025-02-12. White House blocks AP reporter from Oval Office event over 'Gulf of America' policy. https://www.voanews.com/a/white-house-blocks-ap-reporter-from-oval-office-event-over-gulf-of-america-policy/7972268.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/108, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Access was conditioned on AP adopting the administration's preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. Quote: "We're going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it's the Gulf of America." Source: NPR, 2025-02-21. AP sues White House officials over Gulf of America access ban. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260918063352/https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/29, checked 2026-09-22. [3] AP journalists lost access to two of the venues most central to day-to-day presidential coverage. Quote: "Trump and his aides have barred the news service's White House reporters from dozens of events since February, including events limited to the reporting pool" Source: NPR, 2025-04-08. Judge orders AP's Oval Office, Air Force One access restored. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/08/nx-s1-5342369/ap-white-house-court-ruling-oval-office-gulf-of-mexico-america Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/30, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The D.C. Circuit's partial stay leaves the Oval Office, Air Force One, Mar-a-Lago and Cabinet Room off-limits to AP while preserving its East Room access. Quote: "On June 6, 2025, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Circuit of the District of Columbia, composed of judges Cornelia Pillard, Gregory G. Katsas, and Neomi Rao, granted in part a stay pending appeal, in a 2-1 decision." Source: Wikipedia. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_v._Budowich Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/31, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-white-house-bars-ap-gulf-of-america. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States (Louisiana): Federal court order blocking enforcement of the police buffer zone law, January 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: No ruling on Louisiana's appeal appears in the sources cited (as of 2026-09-22). On January 31, 2025, Judge John W. deGravelles of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, a federal trial court, blocked enforcement of the state's 25-foot (7.6-metre) police buffer zone law with a preliminary injunction, an order that keeps the situation as it is while a case is decided. He wrote that "the distance required is likely to impede Plaintiffs' non-obstructive newsgathering" and that "the Act has a chilling effect on Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights." The plaintiffs included journalists and civil rights observers. Louisiana was reported to be appealing the order.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: Louisiana, United States - Level of government: State or province - Tactic: Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Jeff Landry](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/jeff-landry) - Outcome: Ongoing, January 31, 2025. Preliminary injunction granted 2025-01-31; Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On January 31, 2025, Judge John W. deGravelles of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana blocked enforcement of the state's 25-foot police buffer zone law. He ruled that the plaintiffs, including journalists and civil rights observers, were likely to succeed on their claim that the distance requirement would impede newsgathering that does not obstruct police, in breach of the First Amendment, the part of the United States Constitution that protects freedom of speech and of the press.[1][2][3] The challenge argued that the law made routine filming of police from a normal observing distance a crime and gave officers broad discretion to order bystanders back whether or not they were interfering. Louisiana defended the law as an officer-safety measure and was reported to be appealing the injunction to the Fifth Circuit, the federal appeals court based in New Orleans.[1][2][3] Status as of 2026-09-22: Suspended by court order. The injunction remains in place while the case is pending; Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.[3] ## What reason was given Louisiana defended the law in court as an officer-safety measure.[1][2][3] ## What changed for reporting While the injunction is in place, journalists and the public in Louisiana may film police from ordinary distances.[2] ## Timeline - 2025-01-31: United States (Louisiana): Federal court order blocking enforcement of the police buffer zone law, January 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [John W. deGravelles](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/john-w-degravelles) | ruled | Judge, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana | | [Louisiana Legislature](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/louisiana-legislature) | defended | State legislature | ## Sources 1. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html (Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31). 2. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://lailluminator.com/2025/01/31/buffer-zone/ (Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31). ## Claims cited [1] Judge deGravelles issued the order blocking enforcement of the buffer-zone law. Quote: "The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending." Source: Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://lailluminator.com/2025/01/31/buffer-zone/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/52, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Journalists and the public may film police from ordinary distances while the injunction remains in place. Quote: "The distance required is likely to impede Plaintiffs' non-obstructive newsgathering. … Therefore, the Act has a chilling effect on Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights." Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/53, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The block on enforcement remained in place while Louisiana pursued an appeal. Quote: "The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending." Source: Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://lailluminator.com/2025/01/31/buffer-zone/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/54, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-federal-judge-blocks-louisiana-buffer-law. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether the Halo Law has been challenged in court (as of 2026-09-22). On January 1, 2025, the "Halo Law" took effect in Florida, a state in the south-eastern United States. It creates a 25-foot (7.6-metre) buffer zone around first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics, while they are performing their duties, and anyone who enters the zone "to 'harass, impede or threaten' first responders after receiving a warning" faces up to 60 days in prison and a fine of US$500. The law applies to journalists as well as the public. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed it in 2024.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: Florida, United States - Level of government: State or province - Tactic: Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Ron DeSantis](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/ron-desantis) - Outcome: Sustained, January 1, 2025. In effect from 2025-01-01; the sources cited report no court order blocking it (as of 2026-09-22). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened Florida's "Halo Law," signed by the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, in 2024, took effect on January 1, 2025. Like Louisiana's buffer zone law of the same year, it sets a minimum distance that the public, including journalists, must keep from first responders performing official duties once warned to step back, and treats a violation as a crime.[1][2][3][4] The law firm Phelps Dunbar grouped Florida's law with Louisiana's as two state laws raising First Amendment concerns for reporters covering police. It noted that both leave anyone recording police to judge a safe distance on the spot or risk arrest.[1][2][3][4] Unlike Louisiana's law, Florida's had not been blocked by a court as of the sources cited.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. The sources cited report no court order blocking it.[4] ## What reason was given The law was presented as protecting first responders at active scenes. It applies "anywhere that first responders are actively performing their duties by creating a 25-foot buffer zone to allow them to carry on their duties," according to Fire Law Blog.[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists covering police, fire and ambulance services in Florida must keep a 25-foot (7.6-metre) distance once warned, which limits their ability to document first responders' conduct at close range.[3] ## Timeline - 2025-01-01: United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Ron DeSantis](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/ron-desantis) | ordered | Governor of Florida | ## Sources 1. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html (Phelps Dunbar LLP). 2. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ (Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01). ## Claims cited [1] Florida's Halo Law took effect. Quote: "The law goes into effect today, January 1, 2025." Source: Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/55, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The law was framed as protecting first responders at active scenes. Quote: "The Halo Law applies anywhere that first responders are actively performing their duties by creating a 25-foot buffer zone to allow them to carry on their duties." Source: Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/56, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The law requires the public and journalists to keep a set distance from first responders once warned. Quote: "anyone who enters the area to 'harass, impede or threaten' first responders after receiving a warning will face up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine" Source: Phelps Dunbar LLP. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/57, checked 2026-09-22. [4] No reversal or injunction against Florida's law was identified. Quote: "In Florida, the law goes into effect on January 1, 2025." Source: Phelps Dunbar LLP. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/58, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-florida-halo-law-takes-effect. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 6 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On May 28, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, a state in the southern United States, Jeff Landry, signed a law that makes it a crime to stay within 25 feet (about 7.6 metres) of a working law enforcement officer after the officer has told a person to step back. The law applies to everyone, including journalists. Supporters described it as protecting officers' safety while they work. On January 31, 2025, a federal judge blocked its enforcement while a challenge to it is decided.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: Louisiana, United States - Level of government: State or province - Tactic: Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Jeff Landry](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/jeff-landry) - Outcome: Ongoing, January 31, 2025. Enforcement blocked by a preliminary injunction on 2025-01-31 while the case is pending; Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026. - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On May 28, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, signed a law creating a 25-foot (7.6-metre) zone around working law enforcement officers. Once an officer gives a verbal warning, anyone who stays within that distance commits a crime and can face jail.[2][3][4][1] Nieman Lab, a publication about journalism, reported in August 2024 that the law limits the ability of journalists and bystanders to film police activity, including alleged misconduct, because 25 feet is farther than the distance from which most phone and body-worn video of police encounters is recorded. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a United States non-profit that provides legal help to journalists, added Louisiana guidance to its guide to recording laws.[2][3][4][1] Journalists and civil rights observers challenged the law in federal court.[2][3][4][1] Status as of 2026-09-22: Suspended by court order. A federal judge's preliminary injunction of January 31, 2025, an order that keeps the situation as it is while a case is decided, blocks enforcement (see the January 2025 entry). Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.[4] ## What reason was given Supporters described the law as protecting officers' safety while they perform their duties. Landry said on signing it, "This is part of our continued pledge to address public safety."[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists and others filming police in Louisiana had to stay at least 25 feet (7.6 metres) away once warned, or face jail, until a federal judge blocked enforcement on January 31, 2025.[3] ## Timeline - 2024-05-24: United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Louisiana Legislature](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/louisiana-legislature) | legislated | State legislature | ## Sources 1. A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police. https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/08/a-new-louisiana-law-limits-the-right-of-journalists-and-everyone-else-to-film-police-abuse/ (Nieman Lab, 2024-08-01). 2. Reporters Recording Guide: Louisiana. https://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/louisiana/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press). 3. Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. https://www.fox8live.com/2024/05/29/louisiana-law-creates-25-foot-buffer-zone-around-working-law-enforcement-officers/ (WVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29). 4. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html (Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31). 5. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://lailluminator.com/2025/01/31/buffer-zone/ (Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31). 6. HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history. https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=24RS&b=HB173&sbi=y (Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24). ## Claims cited [1] Governor Jeff Landry signed HB 173 into law as Act No. 259 on May 24, 2024; it took effect on August 1, 2024. Quote: "05/24 H Effective date: 08/01/2024. 05/24 H Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 259." Source: Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24. HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history. https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=24RS&b=HB173&sbi=y Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/110, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The law was framed as protecting officers performing their duties. Quote: "that person can't spit in my face when I'm making an arrest." Source: Nieman Lab, 2024-08-01. A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police. https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/08/a-new-louisiana-law-limits-the-right-of-journalists-and-everyone-else-to-film-police-abuse/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/49, checked 2026-09-22. [3] People, including journalists, who remain within 25 feet of a working law-enforcement officer after being told to back up can face jail time under the law. Quote: "People can now face jail time in Louisiana for being within 25 feet of a working law enforcement officer who has asked or ordered them to back up." Source: WVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29. Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. https://www.fox8live.com/2024/05/29/louisiana-law-creates-25-foot-buffer-zone-around-working-law-enforcement-officers/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/50, checked 2026-09-22. [4] A federal judge later blocked enforcement of the law. Quote: "The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending." Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/51, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2024-louisiana-enacts-police-buffer-zone-law. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Hungary: National Sovereignty Protection Act and Sovereignty Protection Office, December 2023 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 3 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On December 20, 2023, the president of Hungary, Katalin Novák, promulgated the National Sovereignty Protection Act, passed by the National Assembly, Hungary's parliament, during the government of the prime minister, Viktor Orbán. The law created a Sovereignty Protection Office empowered to investigate organizations, including news outlets, that it determined might be influenced by foreign actors or threaten national sovereignty. A week earlier, ten Hungarian media outlets had said the law "is capable of severely restricting the freedom of the press." After a change of government in 2026, the National Assembly abolished the office on June 30, 2026.[1] - Country: [Hungary](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/hu) - Where: Hungary - Level of government: National - Tactics: Official labels, Funding and ownership pressure - Head of government at the time: [Viktor Orban](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/viktor-orban) - Outcome: Reversed, June 30, 2026. The National Assembly abolished the Sovereignty Protection Office on 2026-06-30, according to CPJ (s055). - Era: The 2020s ## What happened On December 20, 2023, the president of Hungary, Katalin Novák, promulgated the National Sovereignty Protection Act, which the National Assembly, Hungary's parliament, had passed. The law created a Sovereignty Protection Office with power to investigate organizations, including news outlets, that it determined might be influenced by foreign actors or threaten national sovereignty.[1][2][3][4] In a joint evaluation a week before promulgation, ten Hungarian media outlets said the law "is capable of severely restricting the freedom of the press, potentially making it difficult or even impossible for independent newsrooms, journalists and media companies to operate," according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organization based in Paris.[1][2][3][4] After a change of government in 2026, the National Assembly abolished the Sovereignty Protection Office on June 30, 2026. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York, wrote in July 2026 that the office "had been used to harass and delegitimize independent media by labeling them threats to national sovereignty," and described Hungary's initial media reforms as promising but not yet backed by lasting safeguards.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Rescinded. The National Assembly abolished the Sovereignty Protection Office on June 30, 2026. CPJ wrote that lasting safeguards for media independence are still needed.[4] ## What reason was given The law's sponsors presented it as protecting Hungary's national sovereignty against foreign influence over civil society and the media. Novák said the office would comply with Hungary's Basic Law, its constitution, and have no impact on press freedom, according to RSF.[2] ## What changed for reporting Hungarian news outlets that receive foreign funding could be investigated by the Sovereignty Protection Office from December 2023 until its abolition on June 30, 2026. CPJ wrote in July 2026 that the office "had been used to harass and delegitimize independent media by labeling them threats to national sovereignty."[3] ## Timeline - 2023-12-20: Hungary: National Sovereignty Protection Act and Sovereignty Protection Office, December 2023 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [National Assembly of Hungary](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/hungarian-national-assembly) | legislated | National legislature | | [Viktor Orban](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/viktor-orban) | other | Prime Minister of Hungary (through 2026) | ## Sources 1. Hungary's sovereignty law: Viktor Orban's new dangerous provocation targeting independent media. https://rsf.org/en/hungary-s-sovereignty-law-viktor-orban-s-new-dangerous-provocation-targeting-independent-media (Reporters Without Borders, 2023-12-21). 2. Hungary's initial media reforms are promising but lasting safeguards still needed. https://cpj.org/2026/07/hungarys-initial-media-reforms-are-promising-but-lasting-safeguards-still-needed/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-07-22). 3. Hungary: media freedom remains in crisis mode ahead of 2026 elections. https://www.ecpmf.eu/hungary-media-freedom-remains-in-crisis-mode-ahead-of-2026-elections/ (European Centre for Press and Media Freedom). ## Claims cited [1] Hungary's National Sovereignty Protection Act was promulgated. Quote: "the National Sovereignty Protection Act was promulgated by Hungarian President Katalin Novak yesterday (20 December)" Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2023-12-21. Hungary's sovereignty law: Viktor Orban's new dangerous provocation targeting independent media. https://rsf.org/en/hungary-s-sovereignty-law-viktor-orban-s-new-dangerous-provocation-targeting-independent-media Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/67, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The law was framed as a defense against foreign influence over Hungarian institutions, including media. Quote: "is capable of severely restricting the freedom of the press, potentially making it difficult or even impossible for independent newsrooms, journalists and media companies to operate." Source: Reporters Without Borders, 2023-12-21. Hungary's sovereignty law: Viktor Orban's new dangerous provocation targeting independent media. https://rsf.org/en/hungary-s-sovereignty-law-viktor-orban-s-new-dangerous-provocation-targeting-independent-media Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/68, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The office created by the law could investigate and stigmatize independent media as sovereignty threats. Quote: "harass and delegitimize independent media by labeling them threats to national sovereignty" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-07-22. Hungary's initial media reforms are promising but lasting safeguards still needed. https://cpj.org/2026/07/hungarys-initial-media-reforms-are-promising-but-lasting-safeguards-still-needed/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/69, checked 2026-09-22. [4] Hungary's new government abolished the office as part of initial 2026 media reforms. Quote: "Hungary has a historic opportunity...to build a pluralistic media system that serves the public and cannot be politically captured again." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-07-22. Hungary's initial media reforms are promising but lasting safeguards still needed. https://cpj.org/2026/07/hungarys-initial-media-reforms-are-promising-but-lasting-safeguards-still-needed/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/70, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2023-hungary-sovereignty-protection-act. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: White House suspension of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass, November 2018 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 8 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. On November 7, 2018, the White House suspended the hard pass of CNN's White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, after what Gulf News called a "heated confrontation" between Acosta and the president of the United States, Donald Trump, at a news conference after the country's midterm elections. A hard pass is the standing credential that lets a reporter enter the White House press area without applying each day. On November 16, 2018, a federal judge granted CNN a temporary restraining order requiring the pass to be reinstated, and the White House restored it on November 19, 2018, after which CNN dropped its lawsuit.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Credential control, Access bans - Head of government at the time: [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) - Issue of the day: An exchange between Acosta and Trump at a White House news conference on November 7, 2018, after the United States midterm elections. - Outcome: Reversed, November 19, 2018. A temporary restraining order of 2018-11-16 required reinstatement; the White House restored the pass on 2018-11-19 and CNN dropped the suit. - Era: The 2010s ## What happened On November 7, 2018, after an exchange between CNN correspondent Jim Acosta and the president of the United States, Donald Trump, at a news conference following the midterm elections, the White House revoked Acosta's hard pass, the credential that gave him routine access to the White House grounds.[2][3][1][4] CNN sued. On November 16, 2018, Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the federal trial court in Washington, D.C., granted a temporary restraining order, a short-term order made before a full hearing, requiring that the pass be reinstated. He applied the due process framework of Sherrill v. Knight, a 1977 appeals court decision that a White House press pass may not be denied without notice, a chance to respond and written reasons.[2][3][1][4] The White House restored Acosta's pass on November 19, 2018, and CNN dropped its suit. The White House then issued written rules for reporters' conduct when asking questions at news conferences.[2][3][1][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Ended. The pass was restored on November 19, 2018, and CNN dropped its lawsuit, Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, No. 1:18-cv-02610 (D.D.C.).[3] ## What reason was given The White House said Acosta had placed his hands on "a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern" when she tried to take the microphone from him. CNN disputed that account.[4] ## What changed for reporting Acosta could not enter the White House grounds with his hard pass from November 7 to November 19, 2018. After the case, the White House issued its first written rules for reporters' conduct at news conferences.[2] ## Timeline - 2018-11-07: United States: White House suspension of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass, November 2018 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/donald-trump) | other | President of the United States | | [Timothy J. Kelly](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/timothy-j-kelly) | ruled | Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia | ## Outlets and journalists | Name | Kind | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | | [CNN](https://thewaronnews.com/outlets/cnn) | outlet | affected | | [Jim Acosta](https://thewaronnews.com/journalists/jim-acosta) | journalist, CNN | affected | ## Court cases | Case | Court | Docket | Status | Relation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Sherrill v. Knight](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/sherrill-v-knight-1977) | United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit | | decided | precedent cited | | [Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-v-trump-2018) | U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia | 1:18-cv-02610 | dismissed | arising from | ## Sources 1. Judge reinstates Acosta press pass. https://freedom.press/issues/judge-reinstates-acosta-press-pass/ (Freedom of the Press Foundation, 2018-11-16). 2. Trump banned CNN's Jim Acosta from the White House in 2018. Where is he now?. https://parade.com/news/trump-banned-cnns-jim-acosta-from-the-white-house-in-2018-where-is-he-now Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920090444/https://parade.com/news/trump-banned-cnns-jim-acosta-from-the-white-house-in-2018-where-is-he-now (Parade). 3. White House restores Jim Acosta's press pass, CNN drops lawsuit. https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-restores-jim-acosta-212020316.html (Yahoo News / AP, 2018-11-19). 4. White House revokes press pass of CNN's Jim Acosta. https://www.npr.org/2018/11/07/665497382/white-house-revokes-press-pass-of-cnns-jim-acosta (NPR, 2018-11-07). 5. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, docket 1:18-cv-02610. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8169022/cable-news-network-inc-v-trump/ (CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2018-11-13). 6. Jim Acosta: White House pulls CNN reporter's pass after Trump press conference. https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/media/trump-cnn-press-conference (CNN, 2018-11-07). 7. White House suspends CNN journalist Acosta after Trump confrontation. https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/white-house-suspends-cnn-journalist-acosta-after-trump-confrontation-1.1541652523546 (Gulf News, 2018-11-07). 8. White House suspends CNN's Acosta after Trump confrontation. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/8/white-house-suspends-cnns-acosta-after-trump-confrontation (Al Jazeera, 2018-11-08). ## Claims cited [1] The White House revoked Acosta's hard pass following the press-conference exchange. Quote: "The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Donald Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference." Source: Gulf News, 2018-11-07. White House suspends CNN journalist Acosta after Trump confrontation. https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/white-house-suspends-cnn-journalist-acosta-after-trump-confrontation-1.1541652523546 Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/46, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Acosta could not access the White House grounds under his usual credential until the pass was restored. Quote: "your hard pass is restored," Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2018-11-19. White House restores Jim Acosta's press pass, CNN drops lawsuit. https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-restores-jim-acosta-212020316.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/44, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The White House restored Acosta's pass and CNN dropped its lawsuit. Quote: "lawsuit is no longer necessary" Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2018-11-19. White House restores Jim Acosta's press pass, CNN drops lawsuit. https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-restores-jim-acosta-212020316.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/45, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The White House said Acosta placed his hands on an intern during the exchange, a characterization CNN disputed. Quote: "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern" Source: Al Jazeera, 2018-11-08. White House suspends CNN's Acosta after Trump confrontation. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/8/white-house-suspends-cnns-acosta-after-trump-confrontation Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/47, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2018-white-house-revokes-acosta-press-pass. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Espionage Act prosecutions of sources for leaks to the press, 2009 to 2013 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 4 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organization in New York that documents cases of journalists imprisoned or killed worldwide, published on October 10, 2013, found that since 2009 the United States Department of Justice had brought felony charges against six government employees and two contractors, including Edward Snowden, accused of leaking classified information to the press. The charges were brought under the Espionage Act, a 1917 United States law against disclosing defence information, during the presidency of Barack Obama. The Project On Government Oversight, a United States non-profit that investigates the federal government, said the department under Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder "has used it more than all prior administrations combined."[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactics: Secrets and espionage laws, Surveillance and subpoenas - Head of government at the time: [Barack Obama](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/barack-obama) - Outcome: Unknown. The record documents the prosecutions as a group; the outcome of each case is not recorded here. - Era: The 2010s ## What happened On October 10, 2013, the Committee to Protect Journalists published a special report documenting that, since 2009, the Department of Justice of the United States, under the president, Barack Obama, had brought felony charges under the Espionage Act against six government employees and two contractors, including Edward Snowden, for leaking classified information to journalists. Across all earlier United States administrations there had been three such prosecutions.[1][2][3][4] The report said the prosecutions, together with the collection of reporters' phone and email records in leak investigations, left sources reluctant to speak to journalists about diplomacy, national security and intelligence. One source told the report's author, "I worry now about calling somebody because the contact can be found out through a check of phone records or e-mails."[1][2][3][4] The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a United States non-profit that builds secure communication tools for journalists, later said the pattern set a precedent that later administrations, including Donald Trump's first, could extend.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Ended. The prosecutions are cited by press freedom organizations, including the Freedom of the Press Foundation, as a precedent for later administrations' use of the Espionage Act against sources.[4] ## What reason was given The prosecutions were brought case by case on national security grounds, not under one stated policy. Matthew Miller, then spokesman for Attorney General Eric Holder, told the report's author, "It was never a conscious decision to bring more of these cases than we ever had. It was a combination of things."[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists and their sources in national security reporting said they avoided contact by phone or email for fear of being identified through records requests, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.[3] ## Timeline - 2013-10-10: United States: Espionage Act prosecutions of sources for leaks to the press, 2009 to 2013 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Barack Obama](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/barack-obama) | other | President of the United States (2009-2017) | | [United States Department of Justice](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/us-department-of-justice) | enforced | Federal executive department | ## Sources 1. The Obama Administration and the Press. https://cpj.org/reports/2013/10/obama-and-the-press-us-leaks-surveillance-post-911/ (Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-10-10). 2. Leak prosecutions: Obama takes it to 11 (or should we say eight). https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/leak-prosecutions-obama-takes-it-11-or-should-we (ACLU). 3. Six Americans Obama and Holder charged under the Espionage Act. https://www.pogo.org/analyses/six-americans-obama-and-holder-charged-under-espionage-act-and-one-bonus-whistleblower (Project On Government Oversight). 4. Obama used the Espionage Act to put a record number of reporters' sources in jail, and Trump could be even worse. https://freedom.press/issues/obama-used-espionage-act-put-record-number-reporters-sources-jail-and-trump-could-be-even-worse/ (Freedom of the Press Foundation). ## Claims cited [1] CPJ published its report documenting the Obama-era Espionage Act prosecutions. Quote: "Six government employees, plus two contractors including Edward Snowden, have been subjects of felony criminal prosecutions since 2009 under the 1917 Espionage Act, accused of leaking classified information to the press" Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-10-10. The Obama Administration and the Press. https://cpj.org/reports/2013/10/obama-and-the-press-us-leaks-surveillance-post-911/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/63, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Prosecutions were pursued case by case rather than under one publicly stated blanket policy. Quote: "It was never a conscious decision to bring more of these cases than we ever had. It was a combination of things." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-10-10. The Obama Administration and the Press. https://cpj.org/reports/2013/10/obama-and-the-press-us-leaks-surveillance-post-911/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/64, checked 2026-09-22. [3] Sources reported avoiding contact with journalists for fear leak investigations would expose them. Quote: "I worry now about calling somebody because the contact can be found out through a check of phone records or e-mails." Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-10-10. The Obama Administration and the Press. https://cpj.org/reports/2013/10/obama-and-the-press-us-leaks-surveillance-post-911/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/65, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The Department of Justice under Obama pursued more Espionage Act leak prosecutions than all prior administrations combined, a pattern later assessments compare later administrations against. Quote: "The Department of Justice under Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder has used it more than all prior administrations combined." Source: Project On Government Oversight. Six Americans Obama and Holder charged under the Espionage Act. https://www.pogo.org/analyses/six-americans-obama-and-holder-charged-under-espionage-act-and-one-bonus-whistleblower Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/66, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2013-obama-doj-charges-eight-under-espionage-act. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # United States: Nixon White House "enemies list" naming journalists, September 1971 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22. What we don't know: The sources cited do not give the complete roster of journalists on every version of the list, or whether any individual reporter was audited because of it. On September 9, 1971, the office of Charles Colson, special counsel to the president of the United States, Richard Nixon, sent White House Counsel John Dean, the president's lawyer on official matters, a memorandum naming 20 people as an initial "enemies list." The list named political opponents, including journalists, for possible action through federal agencies, such as tax audits by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States federal tax agency. The IRS commissioner, Donald C. Alexander, refused to launch audits of the people on the list. The lists became public during the Watergate investigations into Nixon's White House.[1] - Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us) - Where: United States - Level of government: National - Tactic: Surveillance and subpoenas - Head of government at the time: [Richard Nixon](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/richard-nixon) - Outcome: Unknown. No ruling or formal rescission applies; the lists became public during the Watergate investigations of 1973 to 1974. - Era: The 1970s ## What happened On September 9, 1971, the office of Charles Colson, special counsel to the president of the United States, Richard Nixon, sent White House Counsel John Dean a memorandum, drafted by the aide George T. Bell, naming 20 people as an initial "enemies list." A longer master list of hundreds of names was compiled over the following years.[1][2][3][4] On August 16, 1971, Dean had written a memo about "how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies," including through tax audits, denial of federal grants and contracts, and litigation.[1][2][3][4] Journalists were among the people named on the versions of the list, including the CBS News correspondent Daniel Schorr. The IRS commissioner, Donald C. Alexander, refused to launch audits of the people on the list. The lists became public during the Watergate investigations.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Ended. The lists became public during the Watergate investigations and are part of the historical record.[4] ## What reason was given No public justification was issued. An internal White House memo by Dean described the purpose as "how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies."[2] ## What changed for reporting Journalists named on the list faced possible federal scrutiny, including tax audits. The IRS did not carry out the audits on the people listed.[3] ## Timeline - 1971-09-09: United States: Nixon White House "enemies list" naming journalists, September 1971 ## Who acted | Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Charles Colson](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/charles-colson) | ordered | Special Counsel to the President (Nixon administration) | | [Richard Nixon](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/richard-nixon) | other | President of the United States (1969-1974) | ## Sources 1. Nixon's Enemies List. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon's_Enemies_List (Wikipedia). 2. Richard M. Nixon. https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/richard-m-nixon/ (The Free Speech Center, MTSU). ## Claims cited [1] Colson's office sent the initial enemies-list memorandum to John Dean. Quote: "sent in memorandum form to John Dean on September 9, 1971" Source: Wikipedia. Nixon's Enemies List. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon's_Enemies_List Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/59, checked 2026-09-22. [2] No public justification was issued; internal memos described the intent privately. Quote: "how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies" Source: Wikipedia. Nixon's Enemies List. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon's_Enemies_List Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/60, checked 2026-09-22. [3] Journalists were among the political opponents named for potential tax audits and other federal action. Quote: "Daniel Schorr, journalist" Source: Wikipedia. Nixon's Enemies List. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon's_Enemies_List Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/61, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The lists are part of the public historical record from the Watergate era. Quote: "sent in memorandum form to John Dean on September 9, 1971" Source: Wikipedia. Nixon's Enemies List. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon's_Enemies_List Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/62, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/1971-nixon-white-house-compiles-enemies-list. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Sherrill v. Knight United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, decided December 15, 1977 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources. - Caption: Sherrill v. Knight - Court: United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit - Court level: appeals court - Citation: 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977) - Decided: 1977-12-15 - Status: decided ## What the court held The D.C. Circuit held that the protection the First Amendment gives to newsgathering requires that White House press access not be denied arbitrarily or for less than compelling reasons, and that due process requires "notice of the factual bases for denial, an opportunity for the applicant to respond to these, and a final written statement of the reasons for denial."[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Final.[1][2][3][4] ## Incidents - [United States: White House suspension of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass, November 2018 (precedent cited)](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2018-white-house-revokes-acosta-press-pass) - [United States: White House hard-pass deactivations for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, September 2026 (precedent cited)](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-white-house-bans-cnn-msnow-politico) ## Documents and reporting 1. Sherrill v. Knight (D.C. Cir.). https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/sherrill-v-knight-d-c-cir/ (The Free Speech Center, MTSU). 2. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920061644/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ (Justia, 1977-01-01). ## Claims cited [1] The D.C. Circuit decided Sherrill v. Knight on December 15, 1977. Quote: "Decided Dec. 15, 1977" Source: Justia, 1977-01-01. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920061644/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/13, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The court held that denying a previously issued White House press pass requires notice of the factual basis, an opportunity to respond, and a final written statement of reasons. Quote: "notice of the factual bases for denial, an opportunity for the applicant to respond to these, and a final written statement of the reasons for denial" Source: Justia, 1977-01-01. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920061644/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/14, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The court held that denial of a White House press pass implicates First Amendment interests and cannot occur without adequate procedural due process. Quote: "denial of a pass potentially infringes upon first amendment guarantees. Such impairment of this interest cannot be permitted to occur in the absence of adequate procedural due process." Source: Justia, 1977-01-01. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920061644/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/15, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The case is reported as Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). Quote: "Robert Sherrill v. H. Stuart Knight, Director, United States Secret Service, Etal., Appellants, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977)" Source: Justia, 1977-01-01. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F.2d 124 (D.C. Cir. 1977). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260920061644/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/569/124/35083/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/16, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/cases/sherrill-v-knight-1977. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:18-cv-02610, filed November 13, 2018 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 5 sources. - Caption: Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump - Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia - Court level: trial court - Docket: 1:18-cv-02610 - Filed: 2018-11-13 - Decided: 2018-11-16 - Status: dismissed ## What the court held Judge Timothy J. Kelly granted CNN a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to reinstate Jim Acosta's hard pass, on due process grounds drawn from Sherrill v. Knight. The White House restored the pass and CNN dropped the suit.[1][2][3] Status as of 2026-09-22: Dismissed.[1][2][3] ## Incidents - [United States: White House suspension of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass, November 2018 (arising from)](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2018-white-house-revokes-acosta-press-pass) ## Documents and reporting 1. White House revokes press pass of CNN's Jim Acosta. https://www.npr.org/2018/11/07/665497382/white-house-revokes-press-pass-of-cnns-jim-acosta (NPR, 2018-11-07). 2. Jim Acosta: White House pulls CNN reporter's pass after Trump press conference. https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/media/trump-cnn-press-conference (CNN, 2018-11-07). 3. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, docket 1:18-cv-02610. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8169022/cable-news-network-inc-v-trump/ (CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2018-11-13). 4. Judge reinstates Acosta press pass. https://freedom.press/issues/judge-reinstates-acosta-press-pass/ (Freedom of the Press Foundation, 2018-11-16). 5. White House restores Jim Acosta's press pass, CNN drops lawsuit. https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-restores-jim-acosta-212020316.html (Yahoo News / AP, 2018-11-19). ## Claims cited [1] Judge Timothy J. Kelly granted CNN's motion for a temporary restraining order on November 16, 2018. Quote: "Federal Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the Trump administration on Friday to temporarily reinstate CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials." Source: Freedom of the Press Foundation, 2018-11-16. Judge reinstates Acosta press pass. https://freedom.press/issues/judge-reinstates-acosta-press-pass/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/17, checked 2026-09-22. [2] Judge Kelly granted CNN's motion for a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to reinstate Acosta's hard pass. Quote: "Timothy Kelly, the federal judge presiding over CNN's case against the president, seemed to accept with that reasoning when he granted CNN's motion for a temporary restraining order on Friday" Source: Freedom of the Press Foundation, 2018-11-16. Judge reinstates Acosta press pass. https://freedom.press/issues/judge-reinstates-acosta-press-pass/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/18, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The White House told Acosta "your hard pass is restored," and CNN said the lawsuit was "no longer necessary." Quote: "your hard pass is restored," Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2018-11-19. White House restores Jim Acosta's press pass, CNN drops lawsuit. https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-restores-jim-acosta-212020316.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/19, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-v-trump-2018. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Associated Press v. Budowich U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, No. 1:25-cv-00532 (D.D.C.); No. 25-5109 (D.C. Cir.), filed February 21, 2025 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 7 sources. - Caption: Associated Press v. Budowich - Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit - Court level: trial court - Docket: 1:25-cv-00532 (D.D.C.); No. 25-5109 (D.C. Cir.) - Filed: 2025-02-21 - Decided: 2025-06-06 - Status: on appeal ## What the court held The district court (Judge Trevor N. McFadden, 2025-04-08) granted a preliminary injunction ordering AP's access restored and then stayed it pending appeal. A D.C. Circuit panel (Judges Pillard, Katsas and Rao, 2025-06-06) granted a partial stay, 2 to 1, holding that the Oval Office, Air Force One, Mar-a-Lago and the Cabinet Room are restricted spaces where access is a matter of presidential discretion, and leaving AP's East Room access in place; Judge Pillard dissented. The full D.C. Circuit denied rehearing en banc on 2025-07-22.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: On appeal.[1][2][3][4] ## Incidents - [United States: White House exclusion of the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One, February 2025 (arising from)](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-white-house-bars-ap-gulf-of-america) ## Documents and reporting 1. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_v._Budowich (Wikipedia). 2. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://www.rcfp.org/briefs-comments/associated-press-v-budowich/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press). 3. The Associated Press v. Budowich. https://knightcolumbia.org/cases/the-associated-press-v-budowich (Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University). 4. AP sues White House officials over Gulf of America access ban. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260918063352/https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5305226/ap-sues-white-house-gulf-of-america-mexico-trump (NPR, 2025-02-21). 5. The Associated Press v. Budowich, docket 1:25-cv-00532. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69662918/the-associated-press-v-budowich/ (CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2025-02-21). 6. Judge orders AP's Oval Office, Air Force One access restored. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/08/nx-s1-5342369/ap-white-house-court-ruling-oval-office-gulf-of-mexico-america (NPR, 2025-04-08). 7. Associated Press v. Taylor Budowich, opinion. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10600096/associated-press-v-taylor-budowich/ (CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2025-06-06). ## Claims cited [1] District Judge Trevor N. McFadden granted a preliminary injunction on April 8, 2025 ordering AP's access restored. Quote: "rescind the denial of the AP's access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other limited spaces based on the AP's viewpoint when such spaces are made open to other members of the White House press pool." Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2025-06-06. Associated Press v. Taylor Budowich, opinion. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10600096/associated-press-v-taylor-budowich/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/20, checked 2026-09-22. [2] A D.C. Circuit panel granted the government's request for a stay pending appeal in part, in a 2-1 decision, on June 6, 2025. Quote: "On June 6, 2025, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Circuit of the District of Columbia, composed of judges Cornelia Pillard, Gregory G. Katsas, and Neomi Rao, granted in part a stay pending appeal, in a 2-1 decision." Source: Wikipedia. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_v._Budowich Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/21, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The Court of Appeals left the preliminary injunction in place only as it concerns AP's access to the East Room. Quote: "Thus, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction to restore AP access only to the extent concerning the East Room." Source: Wikipedia. Associated Press v. Budowich. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_v._Budowich Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/22, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The case is docketed as Associated Press v. Taylor Budowich, No. 25-5109 in the D.C. Circuit and 1:25-cv-00532-TNM in the district court. Quote: "Associated Press v. Taylor Budowich, in his official capacity as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, et al." Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project, 2025-06-06. Associated Press v. Taylor Budowich, opinion. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10600096/associated-press-v-taylor-budowich/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/23, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/cases/ap-v-budowich-2025. The War On News, CC BY 4.0. --- # Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:26-cv-03287, filed September 21, 2026 Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 7 sources. - Caption: Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump - Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia - Court level: trial court - Docket: 1:26-cv-03287 - Filed: 2026-09-21 - Status: pending ## What the court held Not yet decided.[1][2][3][4] Status as of 2026-09-22: Pending.[1][2][3][4] ## Incidents - [United States: White House hard-pass deactivations for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters, September 2026 (arising from)](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2026-white-house-bans-cnn-msnow-politico) ## Documents and reporting 1. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.). https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74823502/cable-news-network-inc-v-trump/ (CourtListener / Free Law Project). 2. CNN, MS NOW, Politico sue Trump administration over White House ban. https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-suit Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921132041/https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/trump-cnn-msnow-politico-suit (Axios, 2026-09-21). 3. CNN, Politico and MS NOW sue White House over access. https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/21/politics/cnn-politico-msnow-sue-white-house-access Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922081354/https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/21/politics/cnn-politico-msnow-sue-white-house-access (CNN Politics, 2026-09-21). 4. CNN, Politico, MS NOW plan to sue Trump administration over ban on White House coverage. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/cnn-politico-ms-now-plan-sue-trump-administration-ban-white-house-cove-rcna598912 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921131514/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/cnn-politico-ms-now-plan-sue-trump-administration-ban-white-house-cove-rcna598912 (NBC News, 2026-09-21). 5. CNN, MS NOW, Politico say they've notified Trump they're suing over denied White House access. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922183641/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access (PBS NewsHour, 2026-09-21). 6. Court hearing set for Wednesday in CNN, MS NOW, Politico suit. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/21/trump-lawsuit-white-house-ban-ms-now-cnn-politico.html Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921131902/https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/21/trump-lawsuit-white-house-ban-ms-now-cnn-politico.html (CNBC, 2026-09-21). 7. White House faces mounting legal backlash. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/ms-now-journalists-denied-access-white-house-trump-announced-ban-rcna598677 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921111109/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/ms-now-journalists-denied-access-white-house-trump-announced-ban-rcna598677 (NBC News, 2026-09-21). ## Claims cited [1] CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued the Trump administration on September 21, 2026. Quote: "CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Monday sued President Donald Trump's administration after they were barred from covering the White House over the weekend" Source: NBC News, 2026-09-21. White House faces mounting legal backlash. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/ms-now-journalists-denied-access-white-house-trump-announced-ban-rcna598677 Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260921111109/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/ms-now-journalists-denied-access-white-house-trump-announced-ban-rcna598677 Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/24, checked 2026-09-22. [2] The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly. Quote: "The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, whom Trump nominated during his first term in the White House." Source: PBS NewsHour, 2026-09-21. CNN, MS NOW, Politico say they've notified Trump they're suing over denied White House access. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922183641/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/25, checked 2026-09-22. [3] The complaint states the ban "could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles." Quote: "This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles." Source: PBS NewsHour, 2026-09-21. CNN, MS NOW, Politico say they've notified Trump they're suing over denied White House access. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260922183641/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-theyve-notified-trump-theyre-suing-over-denied-white-house-access Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/26, checked 2026-09-22. [4] The case is docketed as Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03287, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Quote: "CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC. v. TRUMP, 1:26-cv-03287" Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project. Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump, 1:26-cv-03287 (D.D.C.). https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74823502/cable-news-network-inc-v-trump/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/27, checked 2026-09-22. Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/cases/cnn-msnow-politico-v-trump-2026. The War On News, CC BY 4.0.