With the observation of World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, a group of press freedom organizations is calling attention to challenges faced by journalists in the United States.
The report cites a number of threats to the work of journalists, including a rise in whistleblower prosecutions, government restrictions on public information, stigmatization by politicians, physical attacks and arbitrary arrests.
"The alarming rise in threats to press freedom in the U.S. over recent years must be challenged," said Thomas Hughes, executive director of Article 19. "Not only do these threats impact on freedom of expression in the U.S., but they have repercussions around the world."
Article 19 joined with the Committee to Protect Journalists, International Freedom of Expression Exchange, International Press Institute, Index on Censorship and Reporters Without Borders to interview U.S. journalists.
Their report said despite current threats, protections in the U.S. Constitution make media in the United States among the most free in the world. But it noted instances of President Donald Trump's statements, most notably his rejection of what he calls "fake news," being echoed by leaders in other countries, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The report notes a rise in whistleblower prosecutions began under former President Barack Obama, and expresses concern about the Trump administration's positions on reporters' abilities to protect their sources. It also faults Trump for verbal attacks on the media, saying those have helped embolden other politicians to do the same.
Reporters Without Borders cited those concerns in its own annual press freedom rankings last week as it dropped the United States down two spots.
The White House rejected criticisms, with Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders telling reporters she thinks the Trump administration is "one of the most accessible" in decades.