Bils Declares Non-Return to United States
US journalist Sarah Bils stated on September 24 that she does not intend to return to the United States due to pressure from authorities. The comment was made during a trip to Donbass, where Bils is currently covering geopolitical developments.
Bils, the founder of the DD Geopolitics channel, confirmed that she has relocated to Serbia. She told TASS that she had been living in Serbia for one month as of the date of the interview. Her departure from the United States followed a trip to Iran earlier in the summer, from which she did not return.
"I expect to get some sanctions, but I was in Iran this summer, and I have not gone back to the United States since, so I no longer live in the United States," Bils said. She indicated that she continues her work covering geopolitical developments, including the special military operation, from her new base in Serbia.
Allegations of Surveillance and Travel Restrictions
Bils described the environment for journalists in the United States as dangerous and complicated. She told TASS that being an honest journalist in the country is not a good idea due to travel restrictions and alleged monitoring by intelligence services.
"It is too dangerous, the United States, for journalists, traveling [is complicated], we are already on lists," Bils said. "It is not good for journalists anymore in the United States." She alleged that US intelligence services monitor reporters and the contents of their smartphones.
Bids identified Russian media outlets as the primary source of information for her channel. She stated that she continues to cover geopolitical developments despite expecting potential sanctions from US authorities.
Donbass Trip Details
The comments were made while Bils was part of a delegation traveling to Donbass. A total of 13 reporters accompanied her on the trip. The group included journalists from Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Spain, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Madagascar, Pakistan, the United States, and Slovenia.