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Kirstin McCudden

@kamccudden.bsky.social
6.9K followers 109 following 53 posts

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

PostsRepliesMedia
Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
$100k a month for early access to essential government info ? Nope, that's unconstitutional.
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 30/07/2026
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
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
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
A vertical bar chart showing subpoenas and legal orders issued to journalists from 2017 through 2026 by year, differentiating between Department of Justice-issued orders and others.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 09/06/2026
“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.
freedom.press
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
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 28/04/2026
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.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
That's this Saturday — and I have to say I can't wait to be back in Minn and have this conversation there
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
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
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 27/02/2026
Want to get loud about press freedom? Drop a hint with this handy safety whistle. Check out our shop for this and more:
freedom-press-store.myshopify.com
Safety Whistle
2.5 " x 0.5" Includes metal key ring
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 04/02/2026
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.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
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
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 23/01/2026
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.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
A much-needed discussion and I'll be bringing context from the @uspresstracker.bsky.social database:
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
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
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
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 —
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Martin Shelton @mshelton.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
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...
freedom.press
Security considerations for confidential tip pages
News organizations should take a few steps to improve the security and efficacy of their confidential tip pages.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
In which I link 'Jurassic Park' dinosaurs and the state of press freedom in the US
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 16/12/2025
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.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The Tracker's 2025 arrest report now live
A bar graph detailing U.S. arrests/detainments of journalists by month in 2025, further divided by if the action happened at a protest or non-protest
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 30/10/2025
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:
pressfreedomtracker.us
‘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 …
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 30/09/2025
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.
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 29/09/2025
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:
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:
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Lauren Harper @laurenleharper.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
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)
freedom.press
Your kitchen cabinets are a national security threat
The dumbest things the government has done, or hidden, in the name of national security
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 22/09/2025
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 ⬇️
youtube.com
Urgent Ideas for Defending Press Freedom in Gaza
YouTube video by Columbia Journalism School
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 11/09/2025
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
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
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 28/08/2025
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-...
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Adam Rose @adamrose.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
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.
docs.google.com
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.
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 13/06/2025
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...
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
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:
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 12/06/2025
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.
youtube.com
Tracking Trump’s anti-press social media posts
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
the numbers of assaults — and now a detainment of CNN correspondent and crew — are rapidly changing. as we verify we publish on pressfreedomtracker.us
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...
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U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · 09/06/2025
We are actively reporting on multiple attacks against journalists covering protests in LA — including assaults, equipment damage, and other press freedom violations.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 09/06/2025
Today, @freedom.press, represented by @loevy.com, filed a FOIA lawsuit against the State Department over its refusal to disclose information about the arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk for exercising her right to free speech. Read our complaint here.
freedom.press
FPF takes State Department to court over Öztürk secrecy
Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeks documents on targeting of journalist
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Adam Rose @adamrose.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
JOURNALISTS IN LA or COVERING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: Press rights groups are trying to coordinate responses to unlawful attacks by federal officers against journalists during protests. If you can help ID individuals in charge of operations (incident commander, etc.) & contact info please LMK.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
And the courts may offer relief, too, which is why more than 50 journalists sued following aggressions at Black Lives Matter protests ... my newsletter this month:
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
That's tomorrow !
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 19/05/2025
Our digital security training team answers, how do you identify everyone in conversation on Signal?
freedom.press
Ask a security trainer: Checking identities in Signal
Welcome to “Ask a security trainer,” the column where the Digital Security Training team at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) answers your burning questions at the intersection of journalism and s...
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 20/05/2025
🔔 Join us for a conversation about Trump's attacks on Voice of America and other publicly funded outlets, featuring press freedom reporter @liamjscott.bsky.social, Archive Team Co-founder @textfiles.com, and FPF's @caitlinvogus.bsky.social. 🗓️ May 23 at 12:30 pm ET RSVP: freedom.press/silencing-VOA
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 15/05/2025
Your right to know deserves a plan. We just published ours. Read our 2025-2026 strategic plan:
freedom.press
Freedom of the Press Foundation’s 2025-2026 Strategic Plan
Press freedom in the United States is under attack like never before — reporters arrested by law enforcement, news media openly vilified by political leaders, the First Amendment sidelined by courts. ...
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
The Trump administration's multipronged attacks on the press — I walk you through the last 100 days — and read more here : pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-a...
pressfreedomtracker.us
Trump, allies pursue multipronged campaign against the press
President Donald Trump, in one of the first executive orders of his new term, extolled the importance of “restoring freedom …
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 24/04/2025
Happy birthday to @barbrastreisand.bsky.social, whose 1973 fundraiser kept our co-founder Daniel Ellsberg’s legal fight alive long enough for him to win. She kept Dan out of jail for leaking the Pentagon Papers; now we’re continuing his fight to defend whistleblowers.
hollywoodreporter.com
Barbra Streisand Kept Pentagon Papers Leaker Daniel Ellsberg Out of Jail, Says Filmmaker
Paul Jay, at work on ‘How to Stop a Nuclear War,’ a documentary based on Ellsberg’s book, tells THR about Streisand throwing a party to crucially fund the whistleblower’s legal defense fund and keep h...
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Explainer — How to share sensitive leaks with the press
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 02/04/2025
Thanks, @rmac.bsky.social, for recommending @securedrop.org for potential leakers and whistleblowers, and thanks, Laura, for writing this timely article. ➡️ Check out our video on how to leak sensitive information to media outlets securely and anonymously: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1FR...
youtube.com
How to share sensitive leaks with the press
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Happy International Fact-Checking Day to those who celebrate ! (ahem)
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
It took 2 months but this is great news — charges dropped against photoj Matthew Kaplan, who was covering a protest in Indiana:
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Great and important panels at #ISOJ2025 last week, and got to talk to some incredible journalists:
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
A Signal guide for beginners from here at FPF, for all your group chat needs (also en español):
freedom.press
Signal, the secure messaging app: A guide for beginners
Also available in Spanish.
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Katie Drummond @katie-drummond.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Traveling into the U.S. has become increasingly dangerous for digital privacy. From the ace @wired.com security team, here's tangible guidance on minimizing the risk of Customs and Border Patrol accessing your data. www.wired.com/2017/02/guid...
wired.com
How to Enter the US With Your Digital Privacy Intact
Crossing into the United States has become increasingly dangerous for digital privacy. Here are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk of Customs and Border Patrol accessing your data.
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Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @rcfp.org · 24/03/2025
RCFP's latest tipsheet — available in English and Spanish — helps journalists access public records while reporting on immigration and deportation.
rcfp.org
RCFP tipsheet helps journalists access immigration, deportation records
RCFP soon plans to publish a more extensive legal guide focused on helping journalists cover immigration and deportation.
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
2 convicted yesterday — another 13 charged for alleged involvement in the plots to kidnap or assassinate journalist Masih Alinejad
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Kirstin McCudden @kamccudden.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Great resources for ☀️ #SunshineWeek from @splc.org — and 🙌 for student journalists, doing incredible work every day !
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