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Illinois Restores Protections For Press Targeted With Frivolous Lawsuits

In the state of Illinois, several organizations and lawyers worked with legislators to clarify and expand protections for the news media after the Illinois Supreme Court significantly diminished the law in November 2024.

Israeli Double-Tap Strike On Hospital Kills At Least Five Journalists In Gaza

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The Israeli military killed at least five more journalists in a double-tap strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in Gaza.  Hind Khoudary, a Palestinian

Fighting The Trump Administration's 'Unchecked Power' To Deport Noncitizen Students

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The student newspaper at Stanford University in California has observed a “dramatic decrease in the number of international students willing to speak” to reporters. Their

ACLU Demands US Court Immediately Order Release Of Journalist In ICE Detention

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a habeas petition that demands the immediate release of Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language journalist who United States Immigration and

Podcast: Kevin Gosztola On The Disinfo Detox, Hosted By Nolan Higdon

Dissenter editor Kevin Gosztola appeared on the podcast The Disinfo Detox, which is hosted by Nolan Higdon. Nolan is a writer, author of "The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education," and a lecturer at Merrill College and the Education Department at University of California, Santa

Online Articles Are Protected Newspaper Articles, Too

Israeli Military Assassinates Prominent Al Jazeera Journalist Prior To Invading Gaza City

Israeli military forces assassinated Anas al-Sharif, a high-profile Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza City who officials falsely and maliciously labeled a “Hamas cell” leader.

Police Who Have 'Bad Breakfast' May Not Arrest Reporters Who Stand Too Close, Appeals Court Rules

Dissenter Headlines For August 4

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Shutdown: A Grim Ending for Publicly Funded Media

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The end of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a major victory for Republicans in their decades-long campaign to defund public media, particularly the

VIDEO: If Only More Media Had Spoken Up For Gaza Journalists

Host Kevin Gosztola discusses the role of Western prestige media organizations in the mass starvation and death that the world is witnessing now in Gaza. In particular, as with families and their children, the last remaining Palestinian and Arab journalists are at risk of dying due to lack of food,

Media Silence Helped Bring Starving Gaza Journalists To The Brink Of Death

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. No group of reporters in the modern era have demonstrated more of a courageous commitment to journalism than those living and working under siege in

FBI Spied On Journalists And Activists Who Organized 'Russiagate And WikiLeaks' Panel

The following article was originally published by Defending Rights and Dissent. On the weekend of June 1, 2018, activists, academics, and writers gathered at John Jay College of Criminal Justice for the annual Left Forum conference. With roots in the Socialists Scholars Conference, Left Forum was regularly one of the

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Against DAPL Company's Anti-Press Subpoenas

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled against Energy Transfer, a major fossil fuel pipeline company, and its efforts to force a grassroots-aligned media organization known as

ICE Is A Press Freedom Issue: Interview With Status Coup Reporter Tina-Desiree Berg

Host Kevin Gosztola talks with Tina-Desiree Berg, a Los Angeles-based reporter for Status Coup, about ICE and the threat this ultra-secretive police force poses to freedom of the press. Tina-Desiree and other journalists recently won an injunction in a lawsuit against the LAPD. A federal court ordered the police to

New Jersey Prosecutors Unconstitutionally Charge Two Journalists

Two reporters in New Jersey were unconstitutionally charged for refusing to unpublish information related to an expunged arrest.

A Model Anti-Doxing Law: Free Speech, Press Freedom Groups Oppose Effort

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. A coalition of free speech and press freedom organizations warns that model legislation intended to fight “doxing” could have “devastating consequences" for newsgathering and

Prosecution Against Journalist For Allegedly Violating Wiretapping Law Endangers Right To Gather News

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism that defends press freedom. The United States Justice Department is prosecuting a journalist for allegedly violating a federal wiretapping law. If their legal argument is successful, it will greatly impact a person’

Dissenter Update: Trump Administration's Reliance On Lie Detectors

Host Kevin Gosztola speaks with George Maschke, a former U.S. Army interrogator and reserve intelligence officer, about the Trump administration's reliance on lie detector tests to enforce secrecy. Maschke is the co-founder of AntiPolygraph.org, and he was falsely accused of being a spy after the FBI

'Giving Information To The Enemy': Israel's Ban On Al Jazeera Extends To Foreign Broadcasters

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support journalism that defends press freedom. As the Israeli military bombs Iran, the country’s government has renewed its campaign against the Al Jazeera news network and any media organization in the world that

US Homeland Security's Escalating Attacks On International Journalists

Imprisoned For Exposing US-Israel's War Plans Against Iran

Chip Gibbons, policy director for Defending Rights and Dissent, joins host Kevin Gosztola to further discuss the case against CIA analyst Asif Rahman, who was convicted of violating the Espionage Act and sentenced to three years and a month in prison for releasing Israel's plans to strike Iran.

CIA Analyst Sentenced To Prison For Releasing Documents On Israel's Plans To Strike Iran

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber with this discount offer and support journalism that covers whistleblowing, press freedom, and government secrecy. As United States embassies and military bases across the Middle East braced for a potential Israeli strike against Iran, friends

LASD, Federal Police Attack Press Covering ICE Protests

Police and federal agents fired crowd-control weapons at reporters covering protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles County

Dissenter Update: DIA Employee Arrested In FBI Sting

Host Kevin Gosztola discusses the FBI sting operation that led to the arrest of a Defense Intelligence Agency employee opposed to President Donald Trump's agenda, who allegedly agreed to trade state secrets for citizenship in Germany. Headlines for this edition include an Australia appeals court rejecting Australia war

Journalist Sues LA County, Ex-LA County Sheriff For Criminally Investigating Her

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber with this discount offer and support journalism that stands up to attacks on freedom of the press. Former Los Angeles Times reporter Maya Lau, who faced retaliation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department,

Police Raid Against Journalist Asa Winstanley Was Unlawful, UK Court Rules

A British court ruled that a counter-terrorism police raid against London-based journalist Asa Winstanley was unlawful, as the search warrants were not properly obtained. Asa Winstanley, an associate editor for the Electronic Intifada, was targeted by the authorities in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2024. Police knew they were

Australia Tax Whistleblower Pleads Guilty To Four Charges

Navigating Our Algo-Controlled Media Landscape

Host Kevin Gosztola is joined by Andy Lee Roth, a Project Censored editor at large, for a conversation about Big Tech algorithms and how they determine what content we see. Andy goes on to share the work he has been doing on algorithmic literacy for the Reynolds Journalism Institute at

Indiana State Officials Sued For Blocking Media Access To Executions

Media organizations that cover executions in Indiana sue the state for blocking media access and violating their First Amendment rights

Palestinian American Journalist Recounts Detention And Interrogation At Newark Airport

Chief US Intel Agency Declassifies Information That It Claimed 'Deep State Actors' Leaked To Attack Trump

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber with this discount offer and support journalism that stands up to attacks on freedom of the press. An intelligence memo on the prison gang Tren de Aragua’s supposed ties to the Venezuelan government was

100 Days Of Attacks on Transparency And The Press

Host Kevin Gosztola marks President Donald Trump's first 100 days in his second term with this discussion of his administration's attacks on transparency and press freedom. He is joined by two guests from the Freedom of the Press Foundation —Seth Stern, the advocacy director, and Lauren

Trump DOJ Adopts Policy Permitting Journalist Arrests

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber with this discount offer and support journalism that stands up to attacks on freedom of the press. United States Attorney General Pam Bondi ended a Justice Department (DOJ) policy that explicitly discouraged federal prosecutors from

The Trump Administration's Lie Detector Dragnet

The use of lie detector tests to root out alleged leakers has added to the climate of fear under Trump.

Tesla Whistleblower Wins Legal Victory, Calls Musk A 'Vindictive Monster'

Host Kevin Gosztola highlights the case of Tesla whistleblower Cristina Balan. She recently won an appeal against Tesla and the company's CEO Elon Musk. This victory in her legal battle could lead to a trial where Musk testifies in court.  Headlines include Israeli military strike killing Palestinian photojournalist

Hiding Corruption: NOAA Agencies Claim They Have Too Many Records On Musk And DOGE To Produce Them

Musk and DOGE operatives involved in restructuring and downsizing the agency present a “direct and dangerous conflict of interest," according to PEER.

Dismantling Freedom Of Information

While Freedom of Information Act reform is necessary, even worse is the fact that US agencies under Trump are dismantling FOIA offices.

Boeing Says Attacks On Whistleblowers All Part Of The Past

This edition of "The Dissenter Weekly" focuses on the unbelievable claim put forward by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg that whistleblower retaliation at the corporation is entirely a thing of the past. Ortberg was on Capitol Hill for a Senate committee hearing, where senators questioned him about what he

Elon Musk's DOGE Reportedly Installed AI To Root Out 'Disloyal' Government Employees

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support independent journalism on whistleblowers and freedom of the press. Two people familiar with the use of technology by Elon Musk’s DOGE team told Reuters that the team has setup artificial intelligence to

'News Graveyards': The Impact On Reporters And Media Coverage Of Wars

Abducted For Writing An Op-Ed

In this edition of "The Dissenter Weekly," host Kevin Gosztola focuses on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents abducting Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk in Massachusetts and how standing up for Ozturk is important to freedom of the press. Headlines include several positive developments, like the state

Trump Administration Is Using The 'State Secrets Privilege' Just As It Was Intended

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support independent journalism on government secrecy and freedom of the press. President Donald Trump’s administration invoked the “state secrets privilege” to prevent a United States court from reviewing the abduction of immigrants, mostly

'If You're Reading This, It Means I Have Been Killed': Israeli Forces Massacre Two More Journalists

Israeli military forces reportedly targeted and killed two Palestinian journalists based in Gaza—Mohammad Mansour and Hossam Shabat

The Chaotic Release Of Long Sought After JFK Files

Jefferson Morley, known for his reporting on the JFK assassination, called the publication of files a "breakthrough"

Trump Ramps Up Government Secrecy

Lauren Harper, Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy for Freedom of the Press Foundation, discusses Trump administration's secrecy abuses

Gabbard Singles Out Media That Allegedly Published 'Politically-Motivated Leaks'

More On The Brewing Crackdown On Reporters And Media Sources For ICE Leaks

In this edition of the "Dissenter Weekly," host Kevin Gosztola focuses on the Fox News network's push for leak prosecutions against media sources at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Homeland Security Department (DHS). The network is furious that details about ICE raids are being

ICE Leaks: Trump Officials Push For Criminal Charges Against Whistleblowers And Press

If the Trump administration pursues such charges, it will represent a concerted attack on potential whistleblowers or media sources.

City Of Portland Pays Nearly $1 Million For Arresting Journalists At Protests

Dissenter Weekly: Trump And The Weaponization Of Distrust Toward US Media

In this special edition of the "Dissenter Weekly," host Kevin Gosztola talks with Mickey Huff and Andy Lee Roth of Project Censored about how President Donald Trump's administration has weaponized distrust toward the news media establishment to further attacks on the press. Mickey is the director

No Other Film As Deserving Of An Oscar

“No Other Land” filmmakers demonstrate great courage in the face of industry censorship, pervasive hopelessness, and risks to their freedom

Trump White House Builds Its Own Lapdog Press Corps

The Fight Against Elon Musk and DOGE's Secrecy

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support independent journalism on government secrecy, press freedom, and whistleblowing. Over a half dozen lawsuits have been filed by nonprofit groups seeking to challenge the intense secrecy surrounding billionaire Elon Musk’s “Department of

Dissenter Weekly: Trump Vs. US Whistleblower Agency

This edition of "The Dissenter Weekly" was sent to paid subscribers on February 21. For this edition of "The Dissenter Weekly," host Kevin Gosztola outlines the battle that President Donald Trump is waging over the head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Trump fired OSC

Burying The CIA's Assange Secrets

The CIA won the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by four Americans who claimed they had their privacy rights violated when they visited Julian Assange in Ecuador's London embassy.

Dissenter Weekly: A Star Chamber For Journalists?

The following edition of the "Dissenter Weekly" was sent out to paid subscribers on February 14. Support The Dissenter Newsletter and receive the show every Friday. In this edition of "The Dissenter Weekly," host Kevin Gosztola focuses on a proposed bill [PDF] in the state of

Judge: Presidents May Be Immune From Prosecution But Not Transparency

Trump Megadonor Escalates Campaign Against Freedom of The Press

If billionaire Steve Wynn prevails, it would potentially open the floodgates to libel lawsuits against reporters, editors, producers, and news media

Dissenter Weekly: More On The Case Of Asif Rahman

CIA Analyst's Plea Deal Adds Further Intrigue To Espionage Act Prosecution

Like most Espionage Act cases, Rahman’s ended in a plea agreement. But there are several unusual aspects to his case.

US Judge Upholds First Amendment, Dismisses Lawsuit Against Palestine Chronicle

The lawsuit was brought by a former Israeli hostage.

Dissenter Weekly: Tulsi Gabbard's National Security Sin, Kash Patel's 'Enemies List'

Gabbard's Confirmation Hearing: Snowden Blasts Senators For Obsessing Over Him

"Courts have been ruling for ten years that NSA broke the law, guys. Move on," Snowden declared.

Deported Palestinian American Journalist Says Swiss Ministry Of Defense Agents Tried To Interrogate Him

"And that’s the moment I thought, does anyone know I’m here? I had no idea what was going on outside.”

Police In Switzerland Ban Then Detain Palestinian American Journalist

In an act of repression, Zurich police detained Palestinian American journalist and author Ali Abunimah to block him from delivering a lecture

Dissenter Weekly: Tracking Trump's Threats From Day One

Leak Once Again Disrupts Trump’s Plans For Massive Immigration Raids

Biden's Legacy: The World Is More Unsafe For Journalists

Despite pronouncements, President Joe Biden's administration helped make the state of the free press more fragile

Making A Mockery Of Freedom Of The Press

Destroyed Assange Files: Why Judge's Rebuke Against Crown Prosecution Service Was So Significant

A British judge issued an unusually critical rebuke against the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales

Incarcerated Journalist, Now At Texas Supermax Facility, Remains In Solitary

Incarcerated journalist Jeremy Busby says Texas state prison staff are inappropriately denying him access to members of the press and refusing to restore his phone privileges

Biden's Legacy: Fundamentally Changing Nothing For Whistleblowers

Editor's Note: The following is the third in a series of articles on President Joe Biden's legacy when it comes to press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. The series began in November, and the final article in the series will be published next week. When Joe

In US Court, Asheville Blade Journalists Sue Over Illegal Arrests

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support independent journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. A news co-op in North Carolina and two journalists convicted of trespassing offenses filed a federal lawsuit alleging that their constitutional rights were violated

In Unprecedented Move, Judge Keeps CIA Employee Facing Espionage Act Charges In Jail

The following article was made possible by paid subscribers of The Dissenter. Become a subscriber and support independent journalism on press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy. On December 11, five days after Magistrate Judge Ivan Davis ordered accused CIA leaker Asif William Rahman to be released from jail, District Judge

Unauthorized Disclosure: Shealeigh Voitl

US Senator Tom Cotton Lies About Reporter's Shield Law, Blocks Vote

Cotton is not sticking it to some “cabal of legacy media” but rather he is ensuring that the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue to have an easier time targeting journalists

US Prosecutors Unable To Persuade Judge That Accused CIA Leaker Must Stay In Jail

A U.S. magistrate judge rejected the government's request to hold CIA employee Asif Rahman in jail

Biden's Legacy: Enhancing The 'State Secrets Privilege' To Protect The National Security State

As with Obama and Trump, Biden gave the public little reason to trust the government when it invokes "state secrets" to stop court cases

Democrats Responsible For Slow Death Of The PRESS Act

Unauthorized Disclosure: Chip Gibbons

Biden's Legacy: Leaving FOIA In Shambles

FOIA is just as fragile and in disrepair as it was when Biden was elected.

Unauthorized Disclosure: Andy Worthington

Jury Finds US Military Contractor CACI Guilty Of Abu Ghraib Torture

The verdict marked the first time that any U.S. military contractor was held liable for torture during the "war on terrorism."

US Supreme Court Asked To End CIA's 'Absurd' Secrecy Over Gitmo Files

Trump’s Return Poses Threat To Whistleblowers, Freedom of The Press

Freedom of the press and freedom of speech for government employees is at risk, and President Biden and Democrats are partly responsible for what happens next.

Unauthorized Disclosure: November 1 Update

City Of Columbus Ends Vindictive Campaign Against Data Breach Whistleblower

Palestinian-Owned Cafe Where I Spoke Was Attacked

Unauthorized Disclosure: Nader Ihmoud

After UK Police Raid, Journalist Asa Winstanley Focused On Stopping 'Digital Strip-Search' Of His Devices

Journalist Asa Winstanley is most concerned about stopping police from searching his devices for information that would put his sources at risk.

Barreling Toward War With Iran Is More Concerning Than A National Security Leak

Leaked US documents that show Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran stir panic, but not because officials are afraid of what Israel will do next

Unauthorized Disclosure: Gideon Levy

'Slow Torture': Israel's Detention Of Palestinian Journalists

"Journalists have endured a suffering that future generations will never forget," says Palestinian Journalists Syndicate President Nasser Abu Bakr

Former Salvadoran Colonel Living In Safe Haven In US Faces Lawsuit For Killing Dutch Journalists

Unauthorized Disclosure: What Israeli Forces Did To Five International Journalists

An exclusive update for "Unauthorized Disclosure" subscribers Next week, there will be an interview with Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy. Verso recently published a book by Levy called "The Killing of Gaza: Reports On a Catastrophe." But I spent a good portion of the week following what

US Journalist Released From Israeli Detention, Barred From Leaving Country

Police were allowed to keep reporter Jeremy Loffredo's phone and passport. He must stay in Israel until October 20.

Israel Charged American Journalist With 'Aiding The Enemy' For Reporting On Iranian Missile Strikes

Loffredo’s reporting did not “aid” Iran any more than CNN, the Telegraph, the Washington Post, or any other media organization did when reporting on Iran's strikes

The Reporting That Led Israel To Arrest, Detain, and Prosecute An American Journalist

Loffredo openly defied a Israeli military censor, which thousands of other international journalists have allowed to influence what they publish on Israel's war on Gaza

DOJ Upholds Rights Of Media To Cover Protests, Even After Dispersal Order