PayPal permanently closes accounts of Consortium News and MintPress News amid Ukraine war coverage
In late April and early May 2022, PayPal permanently limited the donation accounts of two independent left-leaning news outlets — Consortium News (founded in 1995 by the late AP and Newsweek journalist Robert Parry) and MintPress News — both of which had published coverage skeptical of mainstream Western narratives about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. PayPal initially indicated Consortium News could restore its account but later said the reversal was 'a mistake' and the ban was permanent. PayPal did not publicly specify which policies were violated.
Dates: PayPal action against Consortium News announced May 1, 2022; PayPal email reversing reinstatement May 6, 2022; similar action against MintPress News reported the same week. Parties: Consortium News (editor-in-chief Joe Lauria); MintPress News; PayPal; journalists and press-freedom advocates. What happened: PayPal sent form notices stating accounts had been 'permanently limited' for User Agreement violations without specifying conduct. After public outcry, PayPal indicated to Consortium News that it could take steps to restore the account, then emailed that the reinstatement had been a mistake and the ban was permanent. Account balances were subject to potential seizure under PayPal's policy. PayPal's stated reasons: User Agreement violations; no specific conduct or policy clause cited publicly. Outlets' allegations: Political censorship targeting outlets critical of U.S./NATO Ukraine policy; coordinated effort to suppress dissenting foreign-policy commentary. Outcome: Accounts remained permanently banned. Both outlets migrated to alternative processors and cryptocurrency. The episode drew criticism across the political spectrum from press-freedom advocates and was cited in subsequent debates over payment-processor accountability.