"Government invasion of a reporter's home, and seizure of journalistic materials, is exactly the kind of abuse of power the First Amendment is designed to prevent. It represents the most extreme form of press intimidation. Yet, that's what happened on Wednesday morning to Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, when the FBI searched her Virginia home and took her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch."
"The Electronic Frontier Foundation has joined 30 other press freedom and civil liberties organizations in condemning the FBI's actions against Natanson. The First Amendment exists precisely to prevent the government from using its powers to punish or deter reporting on matters of public interest-including coverage of leaked or sensitive information. Searches like this threaten not only journalists, but the public's right to know what its government is doing."
"In the statement published yesterday, we call on Congress: To exercise oversight of the DOJ by calling Attorney General Pam Bondi before Congress to answer questions about the FBI's actions; To reintroduce and pass the PRESS Act, which would limit government surveillance of journalists, and its ability to compel journalists to reveal sources; To reform the 108-year-old Espionage Act so it can no longer be used to intimidate and attack journalists."
The FBI searched Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's Virginia home and seized her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and 30 other press freedom and civil liberties organizations condemned the search as an abuse of power and extreme press intimidation. The groups said the First Amendment prevents the government from using its powers to punish or deter reporting on matters of public interest, including leaked or sensitive information. The statement calls on Congress to summon Attorney General Pam Bondi for oversight, reintroduce and pass the PRESS Act, reform the Espionage Act, and confirm that recording law enforcement is protected by the First Amendment. Signatories include the ACLU, PEN America, NewsGuild-CWA, Society of Professional Journalists, and Committee to Protect Journalists.
Read at Electronic Frontier Foundation
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