Government Allegedly Tapping Journalists Phones

[DeltAlum]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/

"Question: There have been news reports this week that the FBI is using the Patriot Act to obtain phone records of journalists without their knowledge and without judicial oversight. And as a former journalist, are you at all concerned about this sort of intrusion on press freedom?

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow: I would be concerned if there was grounding to it. There have been reports, but once again -- what it has referred to, the NSF program, which is strictly concerned with foreign international counterterrorism. I'm sorry, the pieces just don't add up."

Edit.

"The officials confirmed that reporters' records often are "a logical investigative step" in cases involving the suspected leaks of classified information by government employees.

"We usually then delay notification to the reporters while we investigate," an official said."

(The link above is to an ABC News Blog -- I don't know how long the link will be viable)

[Rudey]

Are these the journalists that broke laws and leaked national security secrets?

And do these reports have anything to back them up? I mean how exactly do journalists find out about this if their phones are also being tapped?

DA, it's good to hear that you've started to accept blogs now.

-Rudey

[Tom Earp]

Actually isnt it true that all Media people are suspect?

Kidding aside, there is to much Big Brotherism coming down the Pike for Me!

DeltAlum, response? You be in the know as the Video Media Head Dude On GC!

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Rudey
Are these the journalists that broke laws and leaked national security secrets?

Actually, the way it works is that someone in the government leaks national security secrets to a journalist -- which is against the law -- and the journalist ends up in jail for protecting his or her source.

Something wrong about that.

This story was supposedly leaked to ABC by a "highly placed source in the government." Whatever that means.

I think an ABC blog might have some credibility.

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Actually, the way it works is that someone in the government leaks national security secrets to a journalist -- which is against the law -- and the journalist ends up in jail for protecting his or her source.

Something wrong about that.

This story was supposedly leaked to ABC by a "highly placed source in the government." Whatever that means.

I think an ABC blog might have some credibility.

Sorry, but aint that the truth!

[AnchorAlum]

Have I mentioned that the word allegedly is one of my all-time FAVORITE words...?

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by AnchorAlum
Have I mentioned that the word allegedly is one of my all-time FAVORITE words...?

It's an important word for a jornalist. Glad I've never been one.

[Tom Earp]

You Too Funny!