USA / Americas

For data on press freedom violations in the U.S., visit the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a partnership between CPJ and Freedom of the Press Foundation.

Read CPJ’s report On Edge: What the US election could mean for journalists and global press freedom.

  

CPJ, partners urge US Congress to pass PRESS Act

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined more than 100 news outlets and press rights organizations in a letter on Tuesday, October 8, asking U.S. Congressional members to support the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (PRESS Act). The bill would create a federal shield safeguarding reporter-source confidentiality and prevent government access to unreported source…

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Attendees gather at the U..N. Summit of the Future conference on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 at U.N. headquarters in New York. (Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II)

CPJ calls for stronger action to safeguard press freedoms at UN Summit of the Future

Ahead of the United Nations’ Summit of the Future that began Sunday, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 123 other signatories released a statement September 19, 2024, welcoming the final revision of the Pact for the Future and urging strong action to safeguard media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information. The Pact for…

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In a September 5, 2024 letter, signatories urged the Departments of State and Treasury to prioritize the effective use of Global Magnitsky sanctions. (Photo: Reuters/Andrew Kelly)

CPJ joins call urging U.S. government to make effective use of Global Magnitsky sanctions

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined the nonpartisan human rights organization, Human Rights First, with over 90 press freedom and advocacy groups in expressing deep concern over the U.S. government’s declining response to international human rights and corruption violations in a September 5, 2024 letter.  The signatories urged the Departments of State and Treasury to…

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Robert Telles

CPJ welcomes conviction in killing of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German

Washington, D.C., August 28, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed the news that jurors had reached a decision in the trial of Robert Telles, who was found guilty of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German. “While Wednesday’s ruling will not bring Jeff German back to his family, friends, and colleagues, the conviction sends an…

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Red paint sprayed on the apartment building of Brooklyn Museum's Jewish director.

CPJ calls on New York police to explain arrest of journalist over pro-Palestinian vandalism

Washington, D.C., August 7, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the New York Police Department to explain its reasons for arresting a New York City videographer on hate crime charges after he reported on pro-Palestinian protesters who smeared red paint on the homes of two Brooklyn Museum officials, including the director who is Jewish. “We…

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U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023. The two are set to meet again on July 23, 2024 in Washington, D.C., and CPJ and other rights groups are urging the President and other lawmakers to push Netanyahu to improve press freedom and address rights abuses against journalists. (Photo: AFP/Brendan Smialowski)

CPJ, partners call on Biden to raise press freedom issues with Netanyahu

The Committee to Protect Journalists and nine other rights groups sent a letter Monday calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on journalist killings and media access in Gaza.  The letter urged Biden to ensure that Netanyahu takes steps to facilitate press freedom and journalist safety in Israel and…

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Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, shown here attending a court hearing in Kazan, Russia on May 31, 2024, was sentenced by a Russian court on July 19, 2024, to six-and-a-half years in prison on charges of spreading ‘fake’ news about the Russian army. (Reuters/Alexey Nasyrov)

US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva sentenced to 6½ years in secret trial

New York, July 22, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns Friday’s sentencing of U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva to 6½ years in prison on charges of spreading “fake” news about the Russian army. “Russia’s appalling assault on the media continues to escalate with the secret sentencing of Alsu Kurmasheva,” said CPJ Director of Advocacy and Communications Gypsy…

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Guide to legal rights in the U.S.

The Committee to Protect Journalists is responding to the needs of journalists in the United States as they face a range of challenges, from confrontations with law enforcement at demonstrations to raids on newspaper offices, and learn to navigate what has become an increasingly hostile environment for many in the media. The following advice and recommendations are intended to give the…

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US journalist Evan Gershkovich faces 20-year sentence as trial begins in Russia

New York, June 26, 2024—As the closed-door trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich opened in a Russian court on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists denounced it as a travesty of justice and renewed its call for the journalist’s immediate release. “U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich goes on trial today after nearly 15 months of unjust…

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, pictured in a prison van in the U.K. on May 1, 2019. The U.S. has disclosed charges under the Espionage Act against Assange. (Photo: AFP/Daniel Leal-Olivas)

CPJ welcomes reports that Assange will be released in plea deal

New York, June 24, 2024— The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes reports that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be freed from prison in a plea deal with the United States Justice Department. “Julian Assange faced a prosecution that had grave implications for journalists and press freedom worldwide,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “While we welcome the…

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