New York, November 5, 2026—The newly elected U.S. Congress should restore press freedom protections at home and abroad by immediately strengthening oversight of federal agencies, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Thursday.
“The incoming Congress has a historic opportunity to reverse the United States’ precipitous decline in press freedom and hold officials accountable for attacks on journalists,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “Lawmakers must defend the First Amendment as a pillar of American democracy and ensure that protecting press freedom is a priority in U.S. foreign policy.”
CPJ has documented escalating attacks on U.S. media during the second Trump administration, including restricted government access, issuing subpoenas, retaliatory litigation, regulatory threats against broadcasters, and arbitrary arrests of journalists. Internationally, the administration has dismantled longstanding bipartisan efforts to counter censorship and support independent journalism.
Congress must prioritize immediate oversight of the Federal Communications Commission and end the use of its regulatory powers to retaliate against news outlets. Lawmakers should also reintroduce and pass the PRESS Act to protect journalists’ confidential sources and reporting materials, and hold accountable those responsible for attacks on journalists in the U.S. and abroad.
Over the past two years, CPJ has significantly expanded its work defending press freedom in the United States through public statements, advocacy on behalf of detained reporters, by helping journalists access physical, digital and legal safety training, as well as supporting legal efforts to protect journalists.
So far in 2026, CPJ has provided more than 400 journalists across the U.S. with safety workshops. Digital threats and surveillance remain major concerns: nearly 60 percent of CPJ’s 2025 safety workshops focused on digital safety.
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About the Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.