Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
@rcfp.org
Reporters Committee provides free legal help to journalists and protects their First Amendment rights. Find us at rcfp.org.
☎️ Legal Hotline: 800-336-4243 | [email protected]
✉️ Sign up for our newsletters: rcfp.org/subscribe
☎️ Legal Hotline: 800-336-4243 | [email protected]
✉️ Sign up for our newsletters: rcfp.org/subscribe
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Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides free legal guides and resources to help reporters understand their rights.
rcfp.org
👋 We’re the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), a nonpartisan nonprofit that provides free legal help to journalists and protects their First Amendment + newsgathering rights.
Follow us to keep up with the fight for #pressfreedom!
Learn more at rcfp.org and in the thread below 👇
Follow us to keep up with the fight for #pressfreedom!
Learn more at rcfp.org and in the thread below 👇
Represented by an @rcfp.org attorney, The Weakley County Examiner is suing a Tennessee school district to access records related to a former student's discrimination lawsuit.
Weakley County Examiner sues school district for settlement records
A Reporters Committee attorney is representing the outlet in its effort to access records related to a discrimination lawsuit against the district.
www.rcfp.org
September 15, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Represented by an @rcfp.org attorney, The Weakley County Examiner is suing a Tennessee school district to access records related to a former student's discrimination lawsuit.
ICYMI: Records obtained by news outlets — with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict RFK Jr.'s testimony to Congress that his 2019 visit to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
Gunita Singh explains:
Gunita Singh explains:
New documents contradict RFK Jr.’s testimony to Congress | Reporters Committee
YouTube video by Reporters Committee
www.youtube.com
September 14, 2026 at 2:54 PM
ICYMI: Records obtained by news outlets — with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict RFK Jr.'s testimony to Congress that his 2019 visit to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
Gunita Singh explains:
Gunita Singh explains:
A Pennsylvania police department is ignoring a reporter’s request for records related to the agency’s partnership with ICE — even after he won an appeal.
Now, an @rcfp.org attorney is helping @lancasteronline.bsky.social fight back.
Now, an @rcfp.org attorney is helping @lancasteronline.bsky.social fight back.
LNP | LancasterOnline sues for cost of Susquehanna police partnership with federal immigration enforcement
A Reporters Committee attorney is representing the news outlet and one of its reporters.
www.rcfp.org
September 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
A Pennsylvania police department is ignoring a reporter’s request for records related to the agency’s partnership with ICE — even after he won an appeal.
Now, an @rcfp.org attorney is helping @lancasteronline.bsky.social fight back.
Now, an @rcfp.org attorney is helping @lancasteronline.bsky.social fight back.
▶️ Watch: @rcfp.org's Paula Knudsen Burke is helping news outlets fight to access government records that would shed light on how police officers are using Flock data.
Why I’m helping The Morning Call sue for Flock camera data | Reporters Committee
YouTube video by Reporters Committee
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2026 at 8:52 PM
▶️ Watch: @rcfp.org's Paula Knudsen Burke is helping news outlets fight to access government records that would shed light on how police officers are using Flock data.
ICYMI: We're hosting two in-person events in Oklahoma to discuss how @rcfp.org and our attorney Leslie Briggs can offer journalists free legal services to fuel accountability reporting across the state.
If you're in OKC and Tulsa, join us! Details below:
If you're in OKC and Tulsa, join us! Details below:
How do Oklahoma journalists break big stories on police, budgets, health, and more?
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
September 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
ICYMI: We're hosting two in-person events in Oklahoma to discuss how @rcfp.org and our attorney Leslie Briggs can offer journalists free legal services to fuel accountability reporting across the state.
If you're in OKC and Tulsa, join us! Details below:
If you're in OKC and Tulsa, join us! Details below:
Want to file FOIA requests like a pro?
We asked 5 veteran journalists for their strategies on generating public records ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
We asked 5 veteran journalists for their strategies on generating public records ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
How to file FOIA requests like a pro
Journalists share their strategies for generating FOIA ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
www.rcfp.org
September 10, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Want to file FOIA requests like a pro?
We asked 5 veteran journalists for their strategies on generating public records ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
We asked 5 veteran journalists for their strategies on generating public records ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
Reposted by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
We spoke to @beyerstein.bsky.social about what it took to get these records: I filed a FOIA nearly three years ago and we sued last year. Thanks to @rcfp.org for representing us.
These are public records.
It should not have required a lawsuit. hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-award...
These are public records.
It should not have required a lawsuit. hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-award...
The Guardian and AP win September Sidney Award for proving RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccination agenda for Samoa trip
NEW YORK — Michelle Smith of the Guardian and Ali Swenson of the Associated Press win the September Sidney Award for proving that the future Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy J...
hillmanfoundation.org
September 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
We spoke to @beyerstein.bsky.social about what it took to get these records: I filed a FOIA nearly three years ago and we sued last year. Thanks to @rcfp.org for representing us.
These are public records.
It should not have required a lawsuit. hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-award...
These are public records.
It should not have required a lawsuit. hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-award...
New: @rcfp.org attorneys are representing journalist Jackie Botts in a new FOIA lawsuit seeking access to records that could shed light on a deadly immigration raid at a California cannabis farm last year.
Journalist sues ICE for records about deadly immigration raid at California cannabis farm
On behalf of journalist Jackie Botts, Reporters Committee attorneys argue that ICE and other agencies violated the Freedom of Information Act.
www.rcfp.org
September 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
New: @rcfp.org attorneys are representing journalist Jackie Botts in a new FOIA lawsuit seeking access to records that could shed light on a deadly immigration raid at a California cannabis farm last year.
@rcfp.org is hiring three new legal fellows to help us defend the First Amendment, protect the newsgathering rights of journalists, and improve access to public information.
Apply by Oct. 15: https://www.rcfp.org/fellowships/
Apply by Oct. 15: https://www.rcfp.org/fellowships/
Fellowships | The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee employs several fellows to support our legal work in furthering press freedom.
www.rcfp.org
September 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
@rcfp.org is hiring three new legal fellows to help us defend the First Amendment, protect the newsgathering rights of journalists, and improve access to public information.
Apply by Oct. 15: https://www.rcfp.org/fellowships/
Apply by Oct. 15: https://www.rcfp.org/fellowships/
Attorneys for @rcfp.org @nytimes.com are asking a federal court to unseal judicial filings related to the Trump administration's subpoena of Matthew Cole, which seeks to force the journalist to disclose his confidential sources.
Court should unseal judicial records related to New York Times freelancer’s motion to quash grand jury subpoena
The public has a strong interest in understanding why the federal government is seeking to force reporter Matthew Cole to disclose his confidential sources.
www.rcfp.org
September 6, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Attorneys for @rcfp.org @nytimes.com are asking a federal court to unseal judicial filings related to the Trump administration's subpoena of Matthew Cole, which seeks to force the journalist to disclose his confidential sources.
RFK Jr. repeatedly assured Congress that his 2019 trip to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak “had nothing to do with vaccines.”
But new documents — obtained by @theguardian.com and @apnews.com, with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict that.
📺 Gunita Singh explains:
But new documents — obtained by @theguardian.com and @apnews.com, with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict that.
📺 Gunita Singh explains:
September 5, 2026 at 8:19 PM
RFK Jr. repeatedly assured Congress that his 2019 trip to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak “had nothing to do with vaccines.”
But new documents — obtained by @theguardian.com and @apnews.com, with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict that.
📺 Gunita Singh explains:
But new documents — obtained by @theguardian.com and @apnews.com, with free legal help from @rcfp.org attorneys — contradict that.
📺 Gunita Singh explains:
In a new friend-of-the-court brief, @rcfp.org argues that the Pentagon’s recent efforts to fire three Stars and Stripes employees in retaliation for their speech goes against decades of the news outlet’s editorial independence.
Reporters Committee urges federal court to uphold Stars and Stripes’ editorial independence
The court should block the Pentagon from firing Stripes employees in retaliation for their speech.
www.rcfp.org
September 4, 2026 at 4:09 PM
In a new friend-of-the-court brief, @rcfp.org argues that the Pentagon’s recent efforts to fire three Stars and Stripes employees in retaliation for their speech goes against decades of the news outlet’s editorial independence.
How do Oklahoma journalists break big stories on police, budgets, health, and more?
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
September 3, 2026 at 7:10 PM
How do Oklahoma journalists break big stories on police, budgets, health, and more?
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
Often, they rely on free legal help from @rcfp.org's Oklahoma attorney Leslie Briggs.
Learn more about how our legal services can fuel accountability reporting at 2⃣ upcoming events — details below.
“Efforts like this are always cause for concern because a prior restraint threatens press freedom and the public's right to the free flow of information,” @rcfp.org's Lisa Zycherman said.
Read more in @arkansasadvocate.com:
Read more in @arkansasadvocate.com:
Judge weighing whether to block Arkansas news outlets from publishing data center pact details arkansasadvocate.com/2026/09/01/j...
Judge weighing whether to block Arkansas news outlets from publishing data center pact details | Arkansas Advocate
A federal judge is considering whether to block the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times from publishing details of an agreement regarding a West Memphis data center, a move that free speech a...
arkansasadvocate.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:44 PM
“Efforts like this are always cause for concern because a prior restraint threatens press freedom and the public's right to the free flow of information,” @rcfp.org's Lisa Zycherman said.
Read more in @arkansasadvocate.com:
Read more in @arkansasadvocate.com:
When do Tennessee authorities initiate high-speed police chases?
An @rcfp.org attorney is representing journalist Marc Perrusquia in a new lawsuit seeking access to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy.
An @rcfp.org attorney is representing journalist Marc Perrusquia in a new lawsuit seeking access to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy.
Journalist sues for access to Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy
The state violated Tennessee’s public records law by failing to turn over the policy, a Reporters Committee attorney argues on behalf of journalist Marc Perrusquia.
www.rcfp.org
September 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM
When do Tennessee authorities initiate high-speed police chases?
An @rcfp.org attorney is representing journalist Marc Perrusquia in a new lawsuit seeking access to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy.
An @rcfp.org attorney is representing journalist Marc Perrusquia in a new lawsuit seeking access to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy.
Reposted by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Very proud of the team at @rcfp.org that pried these FBI records on Roy Cohn loose for Kai Bird & Susan Goldmark's new book "American Scoundrel," out today!
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/b...
September 1, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Very proud of the team at @rcfp.org that pried these FBI records on Roy Cohn loose for Kai Bird & Susan Goldmark's new book "American Scoundrel," out today!
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/b...
With free legal support from an @rcfp.org attorney, @bluesurveillance.bsky.social recently obtained police bodycam footage that exposed “egregious” misconduct by an officer.
Police bodycam footage in Colorado exposes ‘egregious’ misconduct
A Reporters Committee attorney helped Blue Surveillance obtain video documenting an officer holding a gun to an unarmed man’s head.
www.rcfp.org
August 31, 2026 at 2:04 PM
With free legal support from an @rcfp.org attorney, @bluesurveillance.bsky.social recently obtained police bodycam footage that exposed “egregious” misconduct by an officer.
A Louisiana judge unconstitutionally closed his courtroom and had a journalist who objected to the order put in handcuffs.
The episode “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public,” @rcfp.org argues.
The episode “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public,” @rcfp.org argues.
Reporters Committee condemns Louisiana courtroom closure, handcuffing of journalist during grand jury indictment
The actions “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public to access court proceedings.”
www.rcfp.org
August 31, 2026 at 12:47 AM
A Louisiana judge unconstitutionally closed his courtroom and had a journalist who objected to the order put in handcuffs.
The episode “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public,” @rcfp.org argues.
The episode “constituted an egregious affront to the First Amendment right of the press and public,” @rcfp.org argues.
Journalist Marc Perrusquia is suing to access Tennessee’s vehicle-pursuit policy with free legal support from an @rcfp.org attorney.
“High-speed chases are inherently dangerous,” Perrusquia said. “The public has a right to know the policies and decision-making behind them.”
“High-speed chases are inherently dangerous,” Perrusquia said. “The public has a right to know the policies and decision-making behind them.”
Journalist sues for access to Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vehicle-pursuit policy
The state violated Tennessee’s public records law by failing to turn over the policy, a Reporters Committee attorney argues on behalf of journalist Marc Perrusquia.
www.rcfp.org
August 29, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Journalist Marc Perrusquia is suing to access Tennessee’s vehicle-pursuit policy with free legal support from an @rcfp.org attorney.
“High-speed chases are inherently dangerous,” Perrusquia said. “The public has a right to know the policies and decision-making behind them.”
“High-speed chases are inherently dangerous,” Perrusquia said. “The public has a right to know the policies and decision-making behind them.”
Newly released documents indicate RFK Jr. lied to Congress when he said that his 2019 visit to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
The records were released in response to a lawsuit @rcfp.org attorneys filed on behalf of @apnews.com.
The records were released in response to a lawsuit @rcfp.org attorneys filed on behalf of @apnews.com.
RFK Jr. lied to Congress about 2019 trip to Samoa, according to documents obtained by The Guardian, AP
The records were released in response to a lawsuit Reporters Committee attorneys filed on behalf of the AP.
www.rcfp.org
August 28, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Newly released documents indicate RFK Jr. lied to Congress when he said that his 2019 visit to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
The records were released in response to a lawsuit @rcfp.org attorneys filed on behalf of @apnews.com.
The records were released in response to a lawsuit @rcfp.org attorneys filed on behalf of @apnews.com.
Reposted by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Thank you to our lawyers at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press for representing me and AP to fight to bring these records to light #foia
www.rcfp.org/rfk-samoa-gu...
www.rcfp.org/rfk-samoa-gu...
RFK Jr. lied to Congress about 2019 trip to Samoa, according to documents obtained by The Guardian, AP
The records were released in response to a lawsuit Reporters Committee attorneys filed on behalf of the AP.
www.rcfp.org
August 27, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Thank you to our lawyers at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press for representing me and AP to fight to bring these records to light #foia
www.rcfp.org/rfk-samoa-gu...
www.rcfp.org/rfk-samoa-gu...
A Pennsylvania police department is ignoring a reporter’s request for records related to the agency’s partnership with ICE — even after he won an appeal.
Now, on behalf of @lancasteronline.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney is urging a court to order the department to release the records.
Now, on behalf of @lancasteronline.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney is urging a court to order the department to release the records.
LNP | LancasterOnline sues for cost of Susquehanna police partnership with federal immigration enforcement
A Reporters Committee attorney is representing the news outlet and one of its reporters.
www.rcfp.org
August 27, 2026 at 11:20 PM
A Pennsylvania police department is ignoring a reporter’s request for records related to the agency’s partnership with ICE — even after he won an appeal.
Now, on behalf of @lancasteronline.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney is urging a court to order the department to release the records.
Now, on behalf of @lancasteronline.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney is urging a court to order the department to release the records.
New: Attorneys for @rcfp.org and @nytimes.com are asking a federal court to unseal records related to a Trump administration subpoena aimed at forcing freelance journalist Matthew Cole to reveal his confidential sources.
Court should unseal judicial records related to New York Times freelancer’s motion to quash grand jury subpoena
The public has a strong interest in understanding why the federal government is seeking to force reporter Matthew Cole to disclose his confidential sources.
www.rcfp.org
August 27, 2026 at 3:59 PM
New: Attorneys for @rcfp.org and @nytimes.com are asking a federal court to unseal records related to a Trump administration subpoena aimed at forcing freelance journalist Matthew Cole to reveal his confidential sources.
On behalf of @local3news.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney filed a new FOIA lawsuit that argues the FBI is unlawfully withholding records about a 2015 Chattanooga shooting that killed five service members.
Tennessee news outlet sues for records about 2015 Chattanooga shooting
Local 3 News seeks records about the shooting that killed five service members.
www.rcfp.org
August 26, 2026 at 11:23 PM
On behalf of @local3news.bsky.social, an @rcfp.org attorney filed a new FOIA lawsuit that argues the FBI is unlawfully withholding records about a 2015 Chattanooga shooting that killed five service members.
Looking for tips on how to get the most out of FOIA?
@rcfp.org collected strategies from five journalists — including advice for generating ideas, drafting effective requests, and navigating the appeals process.
@rcfp.org collected strategies from five journalists — including advice for generating ideas, drafting effective requests, and navigating the appeals process.
How to file FOIA requests like a pro
Journalists share their strategies for generating FOIA ideas, crafting requests, and navigating appeals.
www.rcfp.org
August 26, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Looking for tips on how to get the most out of FOIA?
@rcfp.org collected strategies from five journalists — including advice for generating ideas, drafting effective requests, and navigating the appeals process.
@rcfp.org collected strategies from five journalists — including advice for generating ideas, drafting effective requests, and navigating the appeals process.