A secretive division of the Department of Homeland Security investigated some 20 journalists to obtain their travel records and financial and personal information. In spite of an internal investigation that resulted in referrals for criminal prosecution of the investigators targeting journalists, no charges were filed, and the division called Customs and Border Protection is still operating. (Yahoo! News, December 11, 221, by Jana Winter)
The Associated Press is asking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to explain why the government used terrorist databases to track U.S. journalists including one from the AP. A DHS spokesperson said they were committed to protecting the First Amendment rights of reporters and did not condone the investigation of reporters. (The Associated Press, December 15, 2021, by Ben Fox)