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International groups call on Trump to speak up for press freedom

72 journalist and press freedom organisations have joined together to call on President Trump to commend, rather than condemn, the media and ensure their protection from the unprecedented attacks they have faced while reporting on nation-wide protests demanding social and racial justice, particularly for Black communities.

Trump, Twitter, and why a 25-year-old law is needed to protect the future of freedom of expression online

A roundup of how IFEX members and others responded to President Trump’s Executive Order targeting social media platforms, by IFEX media specialist David Christopher.

US: Fueled by years of Trump’s demonization of the media, unprecedented violence breaks out against journalists covering protests

Protests in at least 30 cities across the US following the police killing of George Floyd have resulted in violent attacks from police and protesters alike against journalists. Dozens of incidents have been reported so far, ranging from threats to serious physical assaults.

At least 125 press freedom violations reported over 3 days of U.S. protests

Local and state authorities in the U.S. must stop targeting journalists and media workers covering protests and ensure that the press is exempt from any curfew restrictions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

US: Authorities must protect protesters and journalists, and end use of excessive force

ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned at the disproportionate and inappropriate response by some US authorities to the social unrest ignited by the killing of George Floyd in police custody.

Trump lashes out against Twitter fact check

The PEN America CEO says the threat is a “red alert for all Americans”.

State laws criminalizing protest on the rise

New PEN America policy paper finds that state legislatures are attempting to clamp down on protest rights with proposals to criminalize or heighten penalties for protests and protest-related acts.

US: RSF applauds Senate’s 2020 World Press Freedom Day resolution

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) thanks Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) for leading a bipartisan coalition of 13 senators in introducing a resolution to celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom Day. The resolution was introduced 20 May.

California prisons block AI researchers from examining parole denials

In a lawsuit filed by EFF, researchers are seeking access to public records on race and ethnicity in parole hearings.

New spy bill threatens press freedom in Australia

The law will allow security officials to access Australians’ personal information that is held by US information technology organizations such as Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, YouTube and more.

California’s lawmakers must enact privacy rules to advance COVID-19 efforts

EFF strongly backs calls, including from California Senate Judiciary Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson, for Governor Gavin Newsom to ensure that his response to this crisis respects Californians’ constitutional right to privacy.

Trump defamation suit against NBC affiliate is unconstitutional attack

PEN America says the tactic is from Trump’s playbook to attack outlets that air material the president dislikes.

Landmark First Amendment lawsuit against President Trump will proceed

The federal court ruling in favor of PEN America is a blow to Trump’s retaliation against media companies, journalists.

Tech lobbyists are pushing bad privacy bills. Washington State can, and must, do better

A data privacy bill in Washington State has gained momentum. The Washington Privacy Act, or WPA, as currently written, would be a weak, token effort at reining in corporations’ rampant misuse of personal data.

Julian Assange’s extradition hearing highlights lack of US evidence

“We were not surprised by the prosecution’s argument, which again confirmed the lack of evidence for the charges against Assange. This week’s hearing confirmed our belief that he has been targeted for his contributions to public interest reporting.”

Tennessee’s parental oversight of public libraries act would censor books, jail librarians

The Tennessee state legislature should reject a new legislative proposal, the Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act, as an unwarranted, un-American, and unconstitutional intrusion into children’s right to read.