Had Hamdi’s arrest happened anywhere else in the world, “it would spark a collective outcry,” Aida Alami writes in Columbia Journalism Review. “But in this case, the person targeted is pro-Palestine. The muted reaction is a troubling public response to a troubling act of state power.”
Columbia Journalism Review
Twin assaults on press freedom.
The ICE detention of Sami Hamdi closely follows the deportation of Mario Guevara.
A federal judge told the top Border Protection official to start wearing his body camera this week. We should FOIA that footage now. Read about this story and more in our secrecy newsletter, The Classifieds.
Freedom of the Press
When immigration agents hide, body camera footage is vital
Plus: The case for making public records-based reporting free
Hyattsville Immigration Court has lifted its ridiculous requirement for reporters to get permission from furloughed federal agents to cover hearings. We wrote to the court’s top judge yesterday about how the requirement violated the constitution.
CNS Maryland
Federal officials reverse Hyattsville immigration court’s move to eject reporters
Federal officials have reversed a decision of the Hyattsville Immigration Court and welcomed reporters back inside -- whether or not they have per...
 Read the full letter here: 📄.pdf image
📩 Read in our weekly newsletter (and subscribe): - Public records are for the public - Shutting down the government doesn’t shut down the First Amendment - No secret police in LA - Top questions about the White House ballroom - RSVP for our Gaza flotilla event Monday
Freedom of the Press
Public records are for the public
Plus: Shutting down the government doesn’t shut down the First Amendment
"The irony here is those of us in the military swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution" and the First Amendment, David Lapan, a former Pentagon spokesperson, said on France 24. Now press freedom is "being degraded by this administration."
France 24
Scoop - Penta-gone: Why legacy media walked out in protest at new reporting rules
FRANCE 24's media show Scoop looks at the Pentagon and the press. For decades, press access was crucial: journalists developed a relationship ...
🔔 Join us for a conversation with journalists abducted from Gaza aid flotillas, featuring Alex Colston, Emily Wilder, and Noa Avishag Schnall, moderated by Chip Gibbons. 🗓️ Monday, Nov. 3, 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST RSVP: freedom.press/gaza-flotillas image
"The government is trying to transform journalism into pure propaganda," Caitlin Vogus told France 24. "Any journalist worth their salt is going to reject that, and that's exactly what the vast majority of the Pentagon press corps did."
France 24
Scoop - Penta-gone: Why legacy media walked out in protest at new reporting rules
FRANCE 24's media show Scoop looks at the Pentagon and the press. For decades, press access was crucial: journalists developed a relationship ...
Will Trump’s White House ballroom really be built only with private funds? And have donors, which the president called his “friends,” been promised any favors? These are just two of the big questions we’re asking. Read our latest blog for more on top questions about the White House ballroom — plus tips on where to find the answers.
Freedom of the Press
Our top three questions about the White House ballroom
And how we are looking for answers
From the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: More assaults of journalists this year than the last two years combined, our interview with deported journalist Mario Guevara, and more in this month’s Tracker newsletter by managing editor Kirstin McCudden:
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
‘They see the media as the enemy.’ A lesson from a deported journalist
Dear Friend of Press Freedom,I’m starting this month with a roundup of notable incidents and updates — and there have …
Update: Two men were sentenced in New York on Oct. 29 to 25 years in prison for their role in a murder-for-hire plot against Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
Five indicted in connection with plot to kidnap NY-based Iranian journalist
Brooklyn, New York-based Iranian journalist and writer Masih Alinejad was the target of an international kidnapping plot, according to a …