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Lane scores · 14-day trend
0 – 100| Lane | Score |
|---|---|
Elections | 61 |
Institutions | 58 |
Civil Liberties | 64 |
Violence | 75 |
Information | 45 |
Economy | 65 |
D-Level · last 14 days
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- InformationSerious
Bootlicking Brendan’s back at it
Dear Friend of Press Freedom: U.S. journalist Alex Colston was detained by Israel for a second time while on board an international aid flotilla to Gaza, along with French and Turkish Al Jazeera journalists and almost 200 activists. He reports that he and other abductees were held for two days in shipping containers, in stress positions and under floodlights, while some endured further torture. Most of them have been released, but the U.S. State Department was of no help. It opted to condemn the flotillas rather than defending Americans illegally abducted in international waters. Read on for more press freedom news. But first, tell your lawmakers to help put a stop to domestic surveillance by reforming FISA Section 702. Sign Up. Take Action. Join our email list to stay up to date on the i…
- InformationSerious
This World Press Freedom Day, American journalists are under attack
For years, World Press Freedom Day on May 3 has helped spotlight global press freedom violations. It’s a day to demand justice for journalists murdered in Gaza and Lebanon, or to celebrate the release of wrongfully detained reporters like Ahmed Shihab-Eldin. Holding foreign regimes accountable for press freedom is essential. But this year, the U.S. needs to take a hard look in the mirror, too. Since last year’s World Press Freedom Day, our U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented hundreds of press freedom violations in the United States, the equivalent of more than one per day. Taken together, these incidents are evidence of an unprecedented, coordinated assault on press freedom being led by the highest levels of our government. From the streets of Minneapolis to the halls of the Pentago…
- InformationSerious
FCC plan to challenge Disney broadcast licenses amounts to ‘illegal jawboning’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, April 28, 2026 — The Federal Communications Commission reportedly plans to challenge Disney’s eight licenses for its ABC stations as soon as this afternoon. The news comes after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump feigned outrage about a joke from late night host Jimmy Kimmel. The FCC is chaired by Brendan Carr, a Trump super-loyalist — known to wear the president’s gilded face as a lapel pin — who has made clear that he views the agency’s role as furthering Trump’s agenda . The following can be attributed to Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern: “The First Amendment and the FCC’s mandate do not permit the agency to use broadcast licenses as weapons to punish broadcasters for constitutionally protected content…
- ElectionsSevere
Supreme Court narrows Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act
In Louisiana v. Callais, the Court struck the state's congressional map and substantially rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, weakening protections against race-based vote dilution. Brennan Center described the ruling as 'devastating' for minority voters.
- InstitutionsSerious
CREW and Freedom of the Press Foundation sue over recordkeeping policy
CREW and the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed suit and a preliminary injunction motion to block a White House policy that they argue violates the Presidential Records Act of 1978 by failing to preserve electronic messages.
- InformationSevere
Protect Democracy documents federal pressure on election information
Protect Democracy's 'Executive Override' report describes the federal government using its powers to pressure state election infrastructure and to silence voices speaking against administration policy. Reflects information-environment risk distinct from direct election machinery interference.
- ElectionsSevere
Executive order targets mail-in voting and citizenship verification
White House issued EO directing federal agencies and states to compile citizenship lists, prioritize fraud prosecutions, and restrict mail-in ballot acceptance. ACLU and election-law experts argue the order conflicts with federal statutes that vest election administration in the states and Congress.
- Civil LibertiesSerious
Freedom House: United States posts one of the year's largest declines
Freedom in the World 2026 reports that among countries rated Free, the United States posted one of the year's largest declines, citing escalation in legislative dysfunction, executive dominance, and growing pressure on the ability of people to exercise basic rights.
- ViolenceNotable
ACLED: 2025 saw 77% rise in U.S. demonstrations; 97% non-violent
ACLED's January 2026 overview reports U.S. demonstrations rose roughly 77% in 2025 versus 2024 — the highest count since 2020. Approximately 97% of demonstrations saw no violence or police intervention, indicating mass mobilization remained largely peaceful even as overall volume surged.
- InstitutionsSevere
GAO: NIH committed unlawful impoundment by terminating 1,800+ grants
GAO found the National Institutes of Health violated the Impoundment Control Act when it terminated more than 1,800 research grants between February and June 2025 in response to executive directives, without following statutory rescission procedures.
- InstitutionsSevere
GAO: Trump administration violated ICA by withholding Head Start funds
GAO concluded that HHS violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 by withholding funds for early childhood Head Start programs. HHS disputed the conclusion. The decision relied on publicly available data showing reduced disbursements compared to prior years.
- InstitutionsSerious
GAO: IMLS unlawfully suspended Grants to States program
GAO determined the Institute of Museum and Library Services illegally cut staff and suspended the Grants to States program in response to a presidential executive order, failing to follow Impoundment Control Act procedures.
- InstitutionsSevere
GAO: DOT illegally impounded $5B NEVI EV-charging program
GAO ruled the Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration violated the Impoundment Control Act by suspending disbursements of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program via a February 2025 memorandum. The White House Office of Management and Budget formally directed DOT to disregard the ruling.