# Surveillance and subpoenas

A government collects journalists' communications or records, often to learn who their sources are. Methods include subpoenas (court orders to hand over records or to testify), search warrants, seizure of phones and notes, demands to telephone and internet companies, and spyware placed on reporters' devices.

3 recorded incidents in 1 country; the earliest in the record is dated September 9, 1971.

## Incidents by country and year

### United States (3)

| Date | Incident | Head of government | Outcome |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| September 9, 1971 | [United States: Nixon White House "enemies list" naming journalists, September 1971](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/1971-nixon-white-house-compiles-enemies-list) | [Richard Nixon](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/richard-nixon) | Unknown |
| October 10, 2013 | [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) | [Barack Obama](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/barack-obama) | Unknown |
| April 25, 2025 | [United States: Department of Justice rescission of rules limiting subpoenas of journalists, April 2025](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-doj-rescinds-media-subpoena-guidelines) | [Donald Trump](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/donald-trump) | Sustained (April 25, 2025) |

Compare: https://thewaronnews.com/compare?tactic=surveillance_and_subpoenas

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