The safety of journalists in the United States is facing a significant decline, with incidents of violence, harassment, legal challenges, and police confrontations on the rise. A recent report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) sheds light on the alarming state of media safety. The report reveals that assaults on journalists have increased by over 50% from 2023 to 2024, highlighting a disturbing trend that threatens the principles of democracy.
This surge in violence can be traced back to the hostile environment toward the media during Donald Trump’s presidency. According to Katherine Jacobsen, CPJ’s U.S., Canada, and Caribbean program coordinator, the growing polarization in the country has made threats against journalists more common. “The scapegoating of journalists not only has consequences for them personally, but also poses grave risks to the public’s right to be informed,” Jacobsen stated. As of September 2024, 68 assaults on journalists have been recorded, up from 45 the previous year, according to data from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.
The challenges journalists face go beyond physical assaults. The aftermath of significant events like the January 6 Capitol attack and the Black Lives Matter protests continue to affect the press. Many incidents of police violence against journalists remain unresolved, with no charges brought in most cases. Additionally, lawsuits against media outlets have been on the rise, draining resources and potentially threatening journalists’ rights under the First Amendment. The report highlights the need for stronger legal protections, such as the PRESS Act, which aims to safeguard reporters from being forced to disclose confidential sources. Although the Act passed the House, it has yet to be taken up by the Senate.
Beyond legal battles and physical violence, journalists—especially women and people of color—face a disturbing increase in online harassment. Local journalists are particularly vulnerable, often lacking the safety training and resources available to larger national outlets. In recognition of this, CPJ has expanded its efforts to provide safety training, offering sessions to hundreds of journalists to help them navigate physical, digital, and legal threats. Despite these efforts, the outlook remains concerning as the November election looms. CPJ has urged both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, to affirm their commitment to press freedom, but neither has made this pledge. The outcome of the election could have lasting consequences, not only for the U.S. but also for press freedom worldwide, as other nations look to the U.S. for leadership in protecting media rights.
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