The 2026 U.S. midterm elections will take place next week amid a constant drumbeat of
press
freedom violations
, ceaseless vitriol against journalists from the Trump administration, and direct threats to the press across the U.S.
Globally,
elections
are risky for journalists, whether reporting from polling sites or working online. Intensifying attacks against journalists in the U.S. mean newsrooms should already be preparing their staff and freelancers not only for Election Day, but what comes next, and in the weeks and months ahead.
“Given the dangerous and evolving landscape for press freedom and journalist safety across the U.S., the importance of safety training and resources for journalists in this country has never been greater. We are paying close attention to local journalists, who face greater risk reporting within their communities during a highly polarized time,” says CPJ Chief Emergencies Officer Lucy Westcott. “Whether it’s digital safety best practices, navigating protest coverage, or making sure journalists know where to get mental health support, we’re helping reporters stay safe amid the crushing reality of being a journalist in the U.S. right now.”
Five ways journalists can protect themselves while covering midterm elections
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Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi, of 9News, was hit by a rubber bullet on Sunday while covering protests against mass deportations in Los Angeles. (Screenshot: 9News-ITV News/YouTube)
Intensifying attacks against journalists
Journalists across the country, regardless of their medium and beat, are operating amid a roiling emergency and daily threats to their profession and safety. Whether holding a camera, a pen, a phone, or a notebook, more than a decade on from the introduction of “fake news” and “enemies of the people” into the national lexicon, there has been a near-total evaporation of the expectation of press safety in the United States. Moments appear like flashes in the spi
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