The War On News

How governments have limited journalists, 1900 to today.

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Timeline: United States

Recorded incidents in United States, oldest first.

Years: 1971 2013 2018 2023 2024 2025 2026
Types: Access ban Arrest or detention Credential revocation Funding cut Lawsuit against the press Legislation Other Regulatory action Subpoena or seizure
Countries: Hong Kong Hungary Israel India Russia El Salvador Türkiye United States

1971

September 9, 1971
Nixon White House compiles "enemies list" naming journalists

2013

October 10, 2013
Obama DOJ charges eight under the Espionage Act for leaks to press

2018

November 7, 2018
White House revokes CNN's Jim Acosta press pass after Trump exchange

2024

May 28, 2024
Louisiana enacts 25-foot buffer zone law limiting filming of police

2025

January 1, 2025
Florida's "Halo Law" buffer zone around first responders takes effect
January 31, 2025
Federal judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's police buffer-zone law
February 16, 2025
White House bars AP from Oval Office and Air Force One over Gulf naming
February 25, 2025
White House takes control of press pool selection from WHCA
March 15, 2025
USAGM moves to shut down Voice of America; staff sue, win reversal
April 25, 2025
DOJ rescinds Biden-era guidelines protecting journalists from subpoenas
May 1, 2025
Trump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS
July 1, 2025
Paramount pays $16 million to settle Trump's 60 Minutes lawsuit
September 17, 2025
FCC chair's remarks precede ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel
September 21, 2025
Pentagon issues press rules requiring pre-approval to publish
October 15, 2025
Most Pentagon press corps forfeits badges rather than sign new rules

2026

September 18, 2026
White House revokes hard passes of CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters
September 18, 2026
Trump announces CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from the White House claim (announcement)
September 19, 2026
Secret Service deactivates the three outlets' hard passes; reporters denied entry claim (action)
September 19, 2026
WHCA statement on the White House's position on CNN, MS NOW and Politico claim (statement)
September 20, 2026
Other pool networks decline to fill CNN's vacated rotating pool slot claim (action)
September 21, 2026
CNN, MS NOW and Politico file suit against Trump and the White House claim (filing)
September 23, 2026
Hearing scheduled in Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump claim (hearing)