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White House introduces new rules that cut down on the number of press passes it will issue. (Find out more about PEN America v Trump, our lawsuit in defense of press freedom that seeks to stop the Administration retaliating against journalists and news organizations it dislikes.) D.C. Council lawmakers propose changes to Freedom of Information Act requests that would restrict access to public records for journalists and the general public. Former intelligence analyst and whistleblower charged with providing classified information to a reporter. Chinese government steps up online censorship ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen square protests. -Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Manager

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

White House Imposes New Rules on Reporters’ Credentials, Raising Concerns about Access

The White House has implemented new rules that it says will cut down on the number of journalists that hold “hard” passes, the credentials that allow reporters and technicians to enter the grounds without seeking daily permission.

WASHINGTON POST

FOIA Restrictions Would Shield D.C. Officials Who Use Email for Personal Business

D.C. lawmakers are considering a proposal that could dramatically curtail access to public records, exempting from disclosure correspondence sent with government email in which public employees discuss matters not related to their official duties. The legislation would also allow city agencies to reject records requests that don’t include specific details about the documents being sought.

WASHINGTON POST

Former Intelligence Analyst Charged with Leaking Classified Docs to Reporter

Daniel Everette Hale of Nashville, Tennessee, a former intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency was arrested and charged with providing classified information and documents to a reporter.

CNN

‘A Taste of Freedom in China’: Tiananmen Square Crackdown Commemorated in New York *Part of the PEN World Voices Festival

Hundreds gathered in a New York cathedral to pay tribute to the protesters that were brutally suppressed in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square crackdown three decades ago, kick-starting commemoration of its approaching anniversary in the United States.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST



Global

Tiananmen Square: China Steps up Curbs on Activists for 30th Anniversary

Hu Jia is one of many Chinese campaigners who are placed under tight surveillance in the days leading up to and after each anniversary. Every year, Chinese authorities launch an extensive “stability maintenance” campaign in which activists, critics of the government, and outspoken parents of those who died in the crackdown are “traveled” to locations outside of Beijing or placed under house arrest.

GUARDIAN

Four Arrested over Killing of Northern Ireland Journalist: Police

Police in Northern Ireland arrested four people in connection with last month’s murder of journalist Lyra McKee. The four, aged 15, 18, 38, and 51, were arrested in Londonderry, also known as Derry, under terrorism legislation and have been taken to Belfast for questioning by detectives.

AL JAZEERA

Iyad El-Baghdadi Faces Threat from Saudi Arabia

Seven months after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, another Arab dissident has been threatened by the government in Riyadh, the activist said. Iyad el-Baghdadi said Norwegian authorities took him to a secure location from his home in Oslo because of a threat against him.

AL JAZEERA

Investigative Journalism Is a Dangerous Job in Ukraine

“Brutality towards journalists has almost become the norm in Ukraine. While international associations are outraged and demanding that action be taken, the attack on Vadym Komarov has stirred little interest in the country.”

DW

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