MANILA, Philippines – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued on Thursday, April 17, a safety warning for journalists traveling to the US.

The warning follows a draft proposal from President Donald Trump’s administration to impose sweeping travel restrictions for citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban. This is part of Trump’s immigration crackdown launched at the start of his second term.

“So far, CPJ is not aware of any journalist being directly affected since the travel ban was announced. However, increased border control, inconsistent enforcement, and broad discretionary authority among border agents suggest an unpredictable environment which warrants proactive preparation, including the following safety measures,” the committee said.

The CPJ is a non-profit organization based in New York that fights for press freedom worldwide. 

Over 40 countries are included in the travel ban proposal, divided into three categories: full visa suspension, partial visa suspension, and recommended for a partial suspension if deficiencies are not addressed. The first group of 10 countries includes Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, among others.

This list is subject to change as it is yet to be approved by the Trump administration.

The CPJ advisory contains a checklist that urges journalists worldwide to conduct a thorough risk assessment, prepare for increased screening, assert their legal rights, and explore available resources.

The CPJ said journalists should prepare for potential risks, including prolonged questioning at US borders, device searches, and denial of entry.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported on April 14 that the European Commission had issued burner phones for its US-bound officials over spying fears. Politico later reported that the EU denied issuing guidance to its staff advising the use of burner phones during official missions in the US.  – Rappler.com