Georgia Fort Says She’s Censored Her Reporting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – JANUARY 2026: Journalist Georgia Fort, right and Minnesota State Senate candidate Jamael Lundy hold their hands to their hearts as they are greeted by family and supporters leaving the Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, January 30, 2026, after being arrested in connection to a previous protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., January 18, 2026. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was also arrested in connection to the Cities Church incident. (Photo by Renee Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Nine months after federal agents arrested independent journalist Georgia Fort over her coverage of an anti-ICE protest inside a St. Paul, Minnesota, church, she says the case has changed the way she approaches her work. In an exclusive interview with The Root, Fort says she’s had to consider the legal stakes surrounding every journalistic decision she makes for fear of being targeted by the government.

“Being prosecuted by the federal government has definitely had an impact on my ability to be effective [at] reporting,” Fort told The Root. “I find myself doing a lot of self-censoring. At the end of the day, when you are being prosecuted, you have to realize everything that you say can be used against you.”

As The Root reported, Fort was arrested on Jan. 30 after filming a Jan. 18 demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul. Federal prosecutors charged Fort, former CNN anchor Don Lemon and others with offenses stemming from the protest. Fort has pleaded not guilty.

Her comments come as questions over press access have intensified. Last month, President Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the outlets of publishing “fake news” and negative coverage. The organizations sued, and a federal judge temporarily ordered the White House to restore their access.

Days ago, CNN reported that the White House also blocked Politico from serving as the primary print pool reporter aboard Air Force One for a presidential trip to Nebraska. Fort said she views these incidents as part of a broader threat to journalists.

“Being arrested as a Black journalist who was simply doing their job indicates that press freedom is under attack,” Fort said. “And I think the recent ban of the press at the White House is another indicator that it’s escalating.”

Fort is the founder of independent news outlet BLCK Press and a three-time Midwest Emmy Award winner. The Root caught up with her after an event to support fellow journalist April Ryan, whose new book, “Notes on a Blacklash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral,” was published on Tuesday (Oct. 6).