Narrow these 273 — tap a value to filter:
Trait 23
Independent media is starved while state-aligned outlets thrive 93Journalists investigating the elite are surveilled or smeared 58Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountability 23Dissenters are labeled unpatriotic, subversive, or corrupt 23Memory is curated by power—what cannot be controlled is erased 11Law is a weapon of the state, not a limit on its power 10Protest rights are abridged through zoning, permits, or security claims 10Civil courts are used to harass and silence critics 8Dissent is reframed as disorder, treason, or terrorism 8Transparency laws are weakened or unenforced 6Elections are flooded with disinformation funded by elite actors 5Universities are pressured to suppress dissent or lose funding 5Citizenship is stratified by wealth, ideology, and heritage 4Civil service roles are politicized or privatized 3Crony capitalism becomes indistinguishable from governance 3Surveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaque 3Whistleblowers are prosecuted, not protected 2Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interests 1Data and algorithms are used to manipulate, not serve, the public 1Government archives are sealed, sanitized, or destroyed 1Judicial independence is eroded through politicized appointments 1Police and military are aligned with elite preservation, not public defense 1Wealth buys not only speech, but law 1
Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Feb 27, 2026 Federal authorities arrested 25 more people over a Minnesota anti-ICE church protest Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The arrests escalated criminal consequences for protest activity tied to immigration enforcement and tested the boundary between dissent and prosecution.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
The New York Times · BBC · PBS · NBC News
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Federal authorities arrest more people over Minnesota anti-ICE church protest — On Friday, federal authorities arrested 25 more individuals for their involvement in a January protest at Cities Church in St Paul, Minnesota, bringing the total number of people charged to 39.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 27, 2026 The FCC promoted a "Pledge America" campaign urging broadcasters to include patriotic programming Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The campaign raised concerns that a federal regulator was nudging media content toward government-favored themes.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FCC Promotes "Pledge America" Campaign — The FCC has launched a "Pledge America" campaign encouraging broadcasters to incorporate "patriotic programming" tied to the nation's 250th anniversary.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 27, 2026 Donald Trump called for imprisoning political opponents, shared fabricated election maps, and suggested pressure on private news platforms Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The statements combined disinformation with threats against critics and signaled a willingness to use state power to shape the media environment.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
The New York Times · Associated Press · NBC News · ABC News · BBC · NPR · CNN
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Demands Imprisonment of Political Opponents — Donald Trump has called for the imprisonment of political opponents over the 2020 election, shared fabricated electoral maps, and amplified calls to prosecute investigators like Jack Smith.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 25, 2026 A federal judge barred the Justice Department from searching a Washington Post reporter's seized devices Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The ruling protected press independence and limited executive access to journalistic materials in a national security investigation.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Judge blocks DoJ from searching Washington Post reporter’s seized devices — A federal judge has prohibited the Department of Justice from searching electronic devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 21, 2026 Donald Trump threatened Netflix over board member Susan Rice and warned the company would face consequences Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The threat used political pressure against a media company and risked chilling independent corporate and editorial decisions.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Criticizes Netflix Executive Susan Rice — Donald Trump publicly criticized Netflix executive Susan Rice, calling for her dismissal and labeling her as a "political hack." This attack is part of Trump's ongoing pattern of targeting individuals he perceives as
- Trump Threatens Netflix — On February 21, 2026, former President Donald Trump issued a warning to Netflix via Truth Social, demanding the removal of board member Susan Rice, a former Obama national security adviser.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 18, 2026 The FCC used investigations and guidance that affected CBS and political interview practices Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
The regulatory pressure showed how economic oversight of broadcasters can be used in ways that affect editorial independence and corporate decisions.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FCC's Investigation into CBS's Kamala Harris Interview — On January 22, 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reopened an investigation into CBS's editing of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
- FCC's New Guidance on Equal Time Rule — The FCC issued a Public Notice on January 21, 2026, stating that interviews of political candidates on talk shows would no longer automatically qualify for an exemption from the equal time rule.
- FCC's Uneven Application of Equal Time Rule — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr indicated that the new guidance on the equal time rule primarily targets television, not radio, despite the rule applying to both.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 57 – 2026-02-14–2026-02-20
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Feb 16, 2026 CBS and the FCC blocked or chilled political candidate interviews on talk shows under new equal-time guidance Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The guidance and network response narrowed editorial freedom and showed regulatory pressure shaping what political speech reached mass audiences.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- CBS refuses to air Stephen Colbert's interview with James Talarico — Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS refused to air an interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico due to FCC guidance requiring equal time for political candidates.
- FCC Issues New Guidance on Equal-Time Rule for Talk Shows — CBS has blocked Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico, citing concerns about potential retaliation from FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
- Colbert Fights Back — FCC chair Brendan Carr opened an investigation into the talk show "The View" after it featured Democratic candidate James Talarico, suggesting that the show may have violated the Equal Time Rule by not providing equal
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 57 – 2026-02-14–2026-02-20
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Feb 9, 2026 Don Lemon and other journalists and protesters were indicted and later pleaded not guilty over coverage of and participation in an anti-ICE church protest Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The case tested press freedom and protest rights by treating reporting around a political demonstration as a basis for federal criminal charges.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Don Lemon Indicted for Covering Protest — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was indicted by a federal grand jury in Minnesota on charges of conspiracy and interfering with worshippers' constitutional rights.
- Don Lemon pleads not guilty to civil rights charges — Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor turned independent journalist, pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges related to his coverage of a protest at a Minnesota church.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 56 – 2026-02-07–2026-02-13
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Feb 7, 2026 The FCC opened an equal-time investigation into ABC’s The View after a candidate appearance Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The probe put federal media regulation into a politically sensitive setting, raising concerns about selective pressure on broadcasters.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Reuters · Associated Press · The Washington Post · PBS · MSNBC · The Hill
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FCC Investigates ABC's 'The View' for Equal Time Violations — The FCC launched an investigation into ABC's 'The View' for potential violations of the equal time rule for political candidates.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 56 – 2026-02-07–2026-02-13
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Feb 4, 2026 The Washington Post announced plans to cut about one-third of its staff Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The cuts weakened a major news institution’s reporting capacity and reduced independent scrutiny of powerful actors.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Washington Post Announces Major Staff Cuts — The Washington Post announced plans to cut approximately one-third of its staff, significantly reducing its capacity for investigative journalism.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 55 – 2026-01-31–2026-02-06
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Jan 29, 2026 Apple and Google removed apps that tracked ICE activity after pressure from the Department of Justice Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
The removals showed private platform gatekeepers shaping access to accountability tools under government pressure.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Apple and Google remove ICE-related apps — Under pressure from the Department of Justice, Apple and Google removed apps from their stores that tracked sightings of ICE agents.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 54 – 2026-01-24–2026-01-30
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Jan 29, 2026 TikTok suppressed or delayed anti-ICE content uploads Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The reported suppression raised concerns that a major platform was limiting criticism of government enforcement actions.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- TikTok suppresses anti-ICE content — TikTok users reported being unable to upload videos critical of U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 54 – 2026-01-24–2026-01-30
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Jan 24, 2026 The State Department revoked Rümeysa Öztürk's visa and detained her after she co-wrote a Gaza ceasefire op-ed Corroborated Civil Rights and Dissent
The action raised concerns that immigration power was being used to punish protected political speech.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Revocation of Visa for Tufts University Student — The U.S.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 54 – 2026-01-24–2026-01-30
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Jan 22, 2026 A federal magistrate judge refused to approve charges against Don Lemon Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The refusal showed a judicial check on aggressive prosecution tied to protest coverage and protected institutional limits on executive charging power.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Judge declines to sign off on charges against Don Lemon — A federal magistrate judge declined to approve charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon related to his participation in a protest at a Minnesota church.
- DOJ Attempts to Charge Journalist Don Lemon — The Department of Justice reportedly attempted to charge journalist Don Lemon for his coverage of protests, but a Magistrate Judge refused to approve the charges.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
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Jan 21, 2026 The Department of Justice filed criminal complaints against church protesters in Minnesota Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The charges showed protest activity being met with federal criminal process in a conflict tied to immigration enforcement.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Files Criminal Complaints Against Church Protesters — The Department of Justice filed criminal complaints against seven protesters who disrupted a service at St.
- Arrests made over anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church — On Thursday, three individuals, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly, were arrested in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
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Jan 20, 2026 President Trump signed an order framed as ending government censorship while targeting universities and law firms Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The order paired free-speech rhetoric with coercive pressure on institutions that shape knowledge and public discourse.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump signs executive order to end government censorship — President Trump signed an executive order to stop what he described as illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
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Jan 18, 2026 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt threatened CBS with legal action over interview editing Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The threat pressured editorial independence and signaled state hostility toward normal press practices.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Threatens Legal Action Against CBS Over Interview Edits — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned CBS News to broadcast a new interview with President Trump in full and without edits, threatening legal action if the network failed to comply.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
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Jan 17, 2026 Chris LaCivita dropped his defamation suit against the Daily Beast Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The withdrawal ended a legal challenge against a news outlet and reduced one immediate pressure point on press accountability through civil litigation.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump campaign manager drops defamation suit against the Daily Beast — Chris LaCivita, a manager for Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, has dropped his defamation lawsuit against the Daily Beast.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
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Jan 15, 2026 Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused a reporter of bias during a White House briefing about ICE Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The attack on a reporter signaled official hostility toward adversarial questioning and sought to delegitimize scrutiny of federal force.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Press Secretary Accuses Reporter of Bias — During a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Niall Stanage, a reporter from the Hill, of being a "leftwing activist" after he questioned the Trump administration's defense of ICE agents.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 14, 2026 The FBI raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and seized devices Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The search threatened source protection and press freedom by using law-enforcement power against a journalist’s reporting network.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FBI raids home of Washington Post reporter — The FBI conducted a raid on the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson in Virginia, seizing electronic devices as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining
- FBI Searches Home of Washington Post Reporter — FBI agents conducted a search of a Washington Post reporter's home, seizing phones and computers.
- — The FBI executed a search warrant at the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, seizing electronic devices.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 14, 2026 The Pentagon announced it would take editorial control of Stars and Stripes Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The move ended a key layer of editorial independence in military journalism and increased direct state control over information for service members.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon to Take Over Stars & Stripes Editorial Content — The Pentagon announced it would assume control over the editorial content of Stars & Stripes, a military publication, challenging its traditional editorial independence.
- Pentagon seizes editorial control of Stars and Stripes — The Pentagon announced a policy change to seize editorial control of Stars and Stripes, a historically independent newspaper for service members.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 13, 2026 The BBC moved to dismiss Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit over a documentary Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The case tested whether a powerful political figure could use civil litigation to burden a major news outlet’s reporting.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- BBC seeks dismissal of Trump's defamation lawsuit — The BBC has submitted new documents to a Florida court seeking the dismissal of a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 12, 2026 A federal judge issued and maintained an injunction limiting DHS dispersal of journalists, and DHS appealed it Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The litigation tested whether courts could preserve press protections against aggressive protest policing by federal officers.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS appeals federal judge's injunction protecting journalists — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appealed a federal judge's temporary injunction that prevents DHS officers from dispersing journalists without probable cause.
- Federal judge issues temporary injunction against DHS dispersal of journalists — A federal judge issued a temporary injunction in September, ruling that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers cannot legally disperse individuals they know or should reasonably know are journalists without
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 11, 2026 Pentagon officials imposed restrictions that drove traditional reporters out of the Pentagon press corps Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The restrictions narrowed independent military reporting and favored access for more compliant or partisan media figures.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon press corps reporters resign over new restrictions — In October, nearly all credentialed reporters from traditional media outlets resigned from the Pentagon press corps after refusing to sign a 21-page document that imposed new restrictions on journalistic activities.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 8, 2026 Vice President JD Vance defended the ICE officer in the Minneapolis shooting and attacked media coverage Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The remarks used official messaging to discredit press scrutiny and shape public understanding of a disputed killing.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- JD Vance defends ICE officer in Minneapolis shooting — Vice President JD Vance publicly defended an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old poet and mother, in Minneapolis.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 51 – 2026-01-03–2026-01-09
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