With nearly all eyes trained on the George Zimmerman trial in Sanford, Fla., late Friday afternoon, the Obama administration found a good opportunity to announce the results of Attorney General Eric Holder’s exhaustive investigation into … Eric Holder. President Obama had directed Holder to look into the Justice Department’s investigation of Fox News reporter James Rosen, which included the DOJ secretly gaining access to Rosen’s personal email account and tracking not only his phone records but those of his parents.
The DOJ was able to read Rosen’s emails by naming him a co-conspirator under the Espionage Act. Holder himself vetted and signed the warrant, so it was unlikely the report would hold Holder’s feet to the fire. Instead, the DOJ has decided to create a News Media Review Committee to handle future cases like Rosen’s and spread the responsibility around.
New DOJ policy promises advance notice to press when Dept seeks access to their newsgathering files, "in all but most exceptional cases."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 12, 2013
New DOJ policy will require Attorney General approval for search warrants * court orders directed at members of news media.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 12, 2013
The Justice Department prefaced its report with a statement from Holder himself passing the buck to the Congress, urging the passage of media shield legislation.
In statement, Atty Gen Holder says DOJ firmly committed to US natl security, protecting American people & safeguarding freedom of the press.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 12, 2013
Holder statement on DOJ Report on Review of News Media Policies: pic.twitter.com/kIueE4vl2T
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
Recommended
Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Justice Department Report on Revised Media Guidelines http://t.co/dOPJnry3jL
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) July 12, 2013
The Department of Justice is firmly committed to ensuring our nation’s security, and protecting the American people, while at the same time safeguarding the freedom of the press. These revised guidelines will help ensure the proper balance is struck when pursuing investigations into unauthorized disclosures. While these reforms will make a meaningful difference, there are additional protections that only Congress can provide. For that reason, we continue to support the passage of media shield legislation.
New Yorker correspondent Ryan Lizza was among those watching the Rosen case closely and provided his own take on the report’s conclusions.
Talked to DOJ official abt details of new media guidelines to be released this hr. Encouraging, but will reserve judgment until full report.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
I will say that under the new DOJ guidelines, James Rosen's emails would not have been searched.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
Also, there will now be notice in all cases when reporter records are subpoenaed. BUT: exception if "subst. harm to integrity of invstgtn."
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
Also new: DOJ will now report on an annual basis how many times search warrants and subpoenas against journalists were issued.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
DOJ Dir. of Public Affairs. & the Privacy/Civil Liberties Officer will review media subpoena/search warrant requests, but no power to veto.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
Also: DOJ will also set up a permanent News Media Group made up of members of the press to continue dialogue started with this process.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) July 12, 2013
Apparently, then, Holder and other Justice Department officials will continue meeting with invited members of the press “to continue dialogue” begun in the process. We thought that was the purpose of those daily White House briefings, but Holder seems to prefer those “off-the-record” meetings where the president sometimes drops by unannounced to say hi. The idea of yet another government committee to keep the government in line isn’t doing much to reassure the public, though.
Meet the new Ministry of Truth. RT @markknoller: DOJ to create a News Media Review Committee
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 12, 2013
This will end well. RT @markknoller: DOJ to create a News Media Review Committee
— American Journalists Publish Chinese Propaganda (@JohnEkdahl) July 12, 2013
https://twitter.com/FoolishReporter/status/355788723566297088
https://twitter.com/OhioCoastie/status/355797056494899202
Imagine if Bush set up a "News Media Review Committee" like Obama is. Wow. Freedom…circling the drain. #5vtshow
— Victoria Taft (@VictoriaTaft) July 12, 2013
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