At least 12 journalists in the United States were arrested or faced dubious charges in 2023, among them two journalists in Alabama who were charged with felonies for “publishing” and a reporter in Illinois who was cited for asking city employees “too many questions.” The criminalization of routine journalism this year shows authorities either do not understand newsgathering practices or, more alarmingly, do and use prosecutions as a cudgel to chill future reporting.
Illinois-based reporter Hank Sanders opened his mailbox in October to find three citations accusing him of “interference/hampering of city employees.” The alleged harassment: the Daily Southtown journalist’s emails and calls to the Calumet City mayor and other local officials for comment on recent flooding.
While the charges were quickly dropped, emails released to Sanders as part of a public records request showed that the mayor had also attempted to bar Sanders from entering City Hall or contacting city employees.
Several other reporters were blindsided by legal proceedings or accusations of crimes this year as they attempted to seek comment from local politicians or law enforcement.
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