Kirstin McCudden
@kamccudden.bsky.social
Chief of Editorial for @freedom.press, Managing Editor for @pressfreedomtracker.us, documenting aggressions against journalists in the US. Also a journalist: frmrly St. Pete, ATX, KC, Geneva, now NYC. J-School: Mizzou x2. Puppers: That's Aoife_the_pomapoo
The Trump administration isn't just investigating alleged crimes. It’s aggressively pursuing the sources behind the stories, using the legal system as a blunt instrument to stop the flow of information. Find the full story in our monthly newsletter: pressfreedomtracker.us/newsletter
This time, vertical: It was fascinating to look across three administrations of data in the @uspresstracker.bsky.social and pull out how subpoenas and legal orders have been used on the federal level
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 6d agoLeak hunting with legal orders — we’ve already seen more subpoenas to journalists from the DOJ than any year in the last 10 years. This and more in this month’s Tracker newsletter by managing editor @kamccudden.bsky.social:
“If I hadn't had it, I'd be dead right now.” Journalists across the U.S. told us why they use personal protective equipment while covering protests, and why attempts to ban it are so dangerous.
PPE bans not only risk reporters. They risk the public’s right to know
Journalists who cover protests across the U.S. told us how personal protective equipment keeps them safe and helps them report the news
freedom.press
Photographer @john-abernathy.bsky.social was violently arrested by federal officers in MN in January for covering a protest, despite repeatedly identifying himself as press. It’s an egregious affront to the First Amendment. Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social explain and follow @pressfreedomtracker.us.
That's this Saturday — and I have to say I can't wait to be back in Minn and have this conversation there
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 4mo agoMinneapolis, Minn.: Join us a screening of "Escalation" about the surge of law enforcement's attacks against journalists since the murder of George Floyd. Followed by a panel discussion w/ @ajschnack.bsky.social, @kamccudden.bsky.social, @startribune.com + 📍 The Main Cinema 🗓️ Apr. 18, 11:00 am CT
It was a tough month to pull together, from court cases to on-the-ground assaults of journalists unfolding as this went to print. Tracker reporters are publishing those +detainments from 'No Kings 3' as we speak
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 4mo agoTracking aggressions against journalists covering Saturday’s “No Kings” protests; plus, the courts curb government restrictions on the press. Read this and more in our monthly newsletter from Tracker Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social (and subscribe):
Want to get loud about press freedom? Drop a hint with this handy safety whistle. Check out our shop for this and more:
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DHS Secretary says filming ICE is illegal and amounts to doxxing. They’re absolutely wrong. Recording law enforcement in public spaces is protected by the First Amendment — and courts have affirmed that right time and again. Watch @freedom.press’s @trevortimm.bsky.social explain.
A January wrap up of the state of press freedom in the U.S. Was filmed <<checks notes>> Wednesday, and January kept going for aggressions against the press, didn't it, eh ? Find those as we document them @pressfreedomtracker.us
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 6mo agoFrom assaults at protests to a raid at a reporter’s home, plus a prior restraint in Las Vegas — a month into 2026, journalists are facing a landscape of aggressions. Watch our Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain, and subscribe to our newsletter: pressfreedomtracker.us/newsletter
The raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com’s @hannahnatanson.bsky.social is a reminder journalists need to be vigilant. We can’t stop government overreach — but we can help you secure yourself digitally. Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social share tips that can make a real difference for journalists.
A much-needed discussion and I'll be bringing context from the @uspresstracker.bsky.social database:
Media Resilience Network@mdrnetorg.bsky.social · 7mo ago🗣 “Journalists envision a future in which mental health care is not a privilege, but a professional necessity.” ➡️ Learn about our Survey findings 🗓 Jan 22, 1:00 PM ET | 📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@VitaActivaOrg #MentalHealthMatters #JournalismCare #ResilientNewsrooms #MediaFuture
One year from Trump's second inauguration and, with it, a list of a "constant barrage of norm-breaking aggressions against the press" as documented by @uspresstracker.bsky.social
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 7mo ago🧵 Year 1 of Trump 2.0 has brought a constant barrage of norm-breaking aggressions against the press — from tightened access and investigations to lawsuits — aimed at those who dare to report unfavorably on the administration.
Incredible effort by the team in those early days of 2021 to gather all assaults of journalists covering the Capitol attack and damage to their equipment, and in the years following to closely track charges brought against individuals who harmed reporters/photographers covering the news that day —
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 7mo agoFive years ago today, 18 journalists were assaulted while covering the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, @pressfreedomtracker.us reported. On Jan. 20, 2025 — the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term — nearly everyone charged in connection with those assaults was pardoned.
Newsrooms: We've made a lot of changes to our guide to confidential tip pages. The biggest change — informed by our research into common channels — is that we've actually cut WhatsApp from the list and added web forms. Check it out. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Security considerations for confidential tip pages
News organizations should take a few steps to improve the security and efficacy of their confidential tip pages.
freedom.press
In which I link 'Jurassic Park' dinosaurs and the state of press freedom in the US
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 8mo agoIn “Jurassic Park,” velociraptors tested electric fences for weaknesses. In the U.S. in 2025, the fence protecting a free press went down, and the velociraptors came. Read @pressfreedomtracker.us Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social's 2026 @niemanlab.org prediction:
Over 150 journalists have been assaulted this year — that’s more than the last two years combined. We’re documenting every violation against the press. Help power the database tracking attacks on journalists. Donate to the @pressfreedomtracker.us today.
The Tracker's 2025 arrest report now live
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · 8mo agoIn 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs. Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations. Read our annual arrest report:
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 @kamccudden.bsky.social:
‘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 …
pressfreedomtracker.us
Since becoming president-elect, Trump has sued @nytimes.com , @wsj.com and more. At the same time, his administration is tightening access — the press now faces new Pentagon rules. Plus, journalist Mario Guevara has spent 100-plus days in ICE custody. Watch @kamccudden.bsky.social explain.
We working on verifying and documenting reports of multiple journalists assaulted, arrested and other press freedom violations while they covered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in and around Chicago recently. Here's what we're tracking so far:
The Trump administration has given a whole new meaning to "Kitchen Confidential." Here's @freedom.press top 5 dumbest things the government has done, or kept secret, ostensibly to protect national security (with an evergreen example from @nsarchive.bsky.social)
Your kitchen cabinets are a national security threat
The dumbest things the government has done, or hidden, in the name of national security
freedom.press
Join us for a panel discussion exploring ideas to defend journalists and press freedom in Gaza, co-sponsored by @freedom.press and Columbia Journalism School. 📌 @columbiajournalism.bsky.social, NYC 🗓️ Thursday, 6-8 pm ET RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-ide... And save the link to watch live ⬇️
Urgent Ideas for Defending Press Freedom in Gaza
YouTube video by Columbia Journalism School
youtube.com
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish. Email: tips@pressfreedomtracker.us
More journalists have already been assaulted in the U.S. this year than in all of 2024 — most while covering anti-immigration protests. We're tracking every case. Watch Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain and subscribe to our newsletter for more: pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/nearly-...
In 2021, I made a slideshow based on 50+ incidents of police misconduct toward journalists. It covered all California over a 12 month period. The legislature responded with new laws to protect press. I just made a new one. It's bigger. It's worse. And it's just one week in Los Angeles.
Police Treatment Of Journalists In LA, June 2025
WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES AND VIDEO Photo of LAPD skirmish line brandishing “less lethal” munitions. Courtesy Ringo Chiu.
docs.google.com
Los Angeles immigration raids protests began a week ago on June 6. The @pressfreedomtracker.us is investigating: - 32 assaults on journalists - 6 detainments/arrests of journalists - 4 equipment damages - 2 equipment searches/seizures View our database: pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...
1/ Now a week into California protests in response to immigration raids, here’s what we’re working on documenting at the Tracker — At least 50 incidents of violence or other types of aggressions against journalists, mostly by law enforcement, and some targeting of news cars, mostly by individuals:
When it comes to combative relationships between presidents and the press, Trump’s social media use sets him apart. For the past 10 years, and since descending that escalator in June 2015, we’ve cataloged every single anti-press post. Watch @stephaniesugars.bsky.social explain our latest project.
Tracking Trump’s anti-press social media posts
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
youtube.com
the numbers of assaults — and now a detainment of CNN correspondent and crew — are rapidly changing. as we verify we publish on pressfreedomtracker.us
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a project that aims to comprehensively document press freedom incidents in the United States — such as the arrests of journalists, seizures of their equipment, interr...
pressfreedomtracker.us
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker@pressfreedomtracker.us · last yr.Journalists have been assaulted, hit with projectiles, and forced out of public areas during the L.A. protests that began June 6. We're tracking at least 20 physical attacks — mostly by law enforcement. Watch our Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social explain
We are actively reporting on multiple attacks against journalists covering protests in LA — including assaults, equipment damage, and other press freedom violations.
