This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of December 7, 2024.
IFJ calls 2024 a “particularly deadly” year for journalists
In the first preview of its 2024 annual report on journalists and media workers killed in the line of duty, International Federation of Journalists has called 2024 a “particularly deadly” year for journalists. At least 104 were killed worldwide, over half of them being in Gaza.
The PRESS Act fails to pass the Senate on unanimous consent
After passing the House with bipartisan support in January, the PRESS Act failed to pass in Senate on unanimous consent, with Republican senator blocking an effort by Democrats to get the legislation signed into law – a move that comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump opposing the measure.
RSF’s 2024 Round-up: journalism suffers exorbitant human cost due to conflicts and repressive regimes
Reporters Without Borders 2024 Round-up reveals an alarming intensification of attacks on journalists. Gaza stands out as the most dangerous region in the world for journalists: A third of the journalists killed this year were slain by the Israeli armed forces.
Alleged CIA leaker ordered to stay in jail pending trail
A federal judge had ordered CIA analyst Asif Rahman, reversing magistrate judge’s decision last week to grant pretrial release. The Intercept reports that “The judge sided with prosecutors’ claims that the analyst could make further disclosures affecting events in the turbulent Middle East if he was free before his trial on two Espionage Act counts.”
Rahman is accused of releasing classified documents about Israeli military capabilities and its war plans to strike Iran. He has denied the charges.
RCFP: DOJ’s subpoenas for journalists’ records raise First Amendment concerns
The Justice Department did not comply with internal policies restricting the agency’s use of subpoenas and other tools to seize journalists’ records, an investigation by its inspector general found.
“The government seizure of reporters’ records hurts the public and raises serious First Amendment concerns,” said Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Executive Director Bruce D. Brown.