The War On News

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

Search: prior restraint in North America, national level

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

All filters: country, dates, head of government, sort
CountryCanada, RSF 2026 rank: 20th of 180United States, RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180
ContinentNorth America
TacticPrior restraint 7Access bans 2Secrets and espionage laws 2Credential control 1Detention and violence 1Licensing and closure of outlets 1
StageRestrict 3Pressure 1Silence 3
OutcomeSustained 3Ongoing 1Unknown 1Upheld by a court 1Reversed 1
LevelNational 7
Head of governmentDonald TrumpFranklin D. RooseveltGeorge H. W. BushGeorge W. BushRichard NixonWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King

7 incidents match this view.

TableCardsCSVJSONMarkdown
DateIncidentCountryTacticHead of governmentOutcome
19 September 2025United States: Department of Defense press credential rules requiring approval before release of information, September 2025United States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Credential controlDonald TrumpOngoing (9 April 2026)
12 September 2020Political appointees alter CDC coronavirus guidance before public releaseUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintDonald TrumpUnknown
10 February 2003Pentagon sets ground rules for journalists embedded with United States forces in IraqUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Access bansGeorge W. BushSustained (14 April 2003)
8 November 1990United States federal court bars CNN from broadcasting recordings of Manuel Noriega's calls with his lawyersUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintGeorge H. W. BushUpheld by a court (18 November 1990)
15 June 1971United States government seeks an injunction to stop The New York Times publishing the Pentagon PapersUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintRichard NixonReversed (30 June 1971)
19 December 1941United States creates an Office of Censorship and a wartime code for the pressUnited States (RSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180)Prior restraintFranklin D. RooseveltSustained (28 September 1945)
3 September 1939Canada: War Measures Act regulations authorize review of hundreds of newspapers and ban political organizationsCanada (RSF 2026 rank: 20th of 180)Prior restraintWilliam Lyon Mackenzie KingSustained (31 December 1945)
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