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February 05, 2026 – USA –
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has issued a stark warning that press freedom in America is “under siege,” asserting that attacks on journalists and efforts to discredit the media pose serious risks to democratic institutions. Pelosi’s comments, made in early February 2026, come amid escalating political rhetoric and legal actions targeting news organisations and individual reporters, which she says echo broader global trends undermining press independence.
Pelosi articulated her concerns in a public statement and speech that referenced recent tensions between political leaders and journalists, including high-profile confrontations at campaign events and increased pressure on newsrooms from partisan actors. She said the First Amendment’s protections of free expression and a free press are fundamental to democratic accountability, noting that “democracy dies in darkness” — a phrase she invoked from The Washington Post to underscore the necessity of a robust, independent media.
In her address, Pelosi criticised what she described as the strategic delegitimisation of journalism by some political figures, who she said use rhetoric that erodes public trust in factual reporting. She pointed to instances where journalists have been verbally attacked, questioned for their motives, or portrayed as enemies of certain political movements — practices she called “dangerous and unconstitutional.” Pelosi urged that safeguarding press freedoms is not a partisan issue but a cornerstone of American constitutional tradition.
Pelosi’s statement also referenced legislation and judicial actions that she believes could have chilling effects on investigative reporting. She argued that blanket criticisms of media — particularly when amplified by influential political leaders — embolden hostile actors and may contribute to a climate where journalists face threats, harassment, or legal intimidation. In her view, such pressures not only harm individual journalists but weaken the flow of information needed for an informed electorate.
Commentators have noted that Pelosi’s warnings align with broader concerns voiced by press freedom advocates and civil liberties organisations, who have documented increased hostility toward the press in the United States in recent years. Observers point to social media campaigns targeting reporters, legal challenges to reporter privileges, and aggressive public antagonism as contributory factors that could undermine trust in news institutions.
Pelosi emphasised that constitutional protections for the press must be actively defended through public engagement, legislative action, and judicial oversight to ensure that journalists can perform their watchdog role without fear of retaliation. She called on lawmakers, civic leaders, and citizens alike to reaffirm their support for media freedom as a core democratic value.
Her remarks come at a time of intense debate over the role and responsibility of the press in American society, and they reflect anxiety among many journalists and advocates that safeguarding press freedom requires vigilance even in countries with longstanding legal protections.
Reference –
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/04/nancy-pelosi-press-freedom-under-siege
https://newzealand.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/1489342
