‘Enemy of the People’ or Defenders of Democracy?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Background
Watch this confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and CNN ’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta.
In November 2018, after this contentious encounter, the White House suspended Acosta’s press pass. CNN sued and won a temporary restoration of Acosta’s credentials before getting them back permanently. Read the full tracker entry here to familiarize yourself with the incident:
Related Incidents from the Tracker
The revocation of Acosta’s press pass echoes other nationwide tensions over the potential consequences for journalists trying to do their job. Browse through the related tracker entries below. Is there a pattern or are these isolated incidents?
Student newspaper in Connecticut faces threats of defunding by student government — September 2015- Pennsylvania radio host resigns after being ordered not to criticize Trump — June 2017
- Trump administration reconsiders legal protections for journalists — August 2017
- DHS seeks to compile, and subsequently to monitor, a list of journalists, bloggers, and media influencers — April 2018
- Denver student journalists reporting on teacher strike silenced by school officials — February 2019
- A warning to ‘A Warning’: Trump directs US Dept. of Justice to send threat letter to author — November 2019
- The U.S. Government Tracked, Detained, and Interrogated Journalists. We’re Suing on Their Behalf– November 2019
- NPR suspends veteran editor as it grapples with his public criticism – April 2024
- Fired CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge accuses network of ‘journalistic rape’ for seizing her files at Capitol Hill hearing– April 2024
Serious Consequences
The stories below illustrate increasing hostility and violence toward journalists. The pattern indicates an increasing danger to those who speak truth to power.
- Montana Republican pleads guilty to misdemeanor assault, wins special election — May 2017
- Two Pittsburgh journalists fired over editorial disagreement — May 2018
- Five dead in ‘targeted attack’ at Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis — June 2018
- Denver police arrest reporter for recording — July 2018
- Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi critic and Washington Post columnist, murdered in Saudi consulate in Istanbul — October 2018
- San Francisco police raid journalist’s home, looking for information on his sources, later apologize — May 2019
- Amid nationwide protests against police brutality, police crack down on the press — May 2020
- A journalist is attacked and smeared, and the media cheers– August 2023
- Violent attacks against environmental journalists on the rise, report finds– May 2024
