The AP scandal *is* serious

[ProSense]

55. What

"The question will be how much did the WH know? We do need a shield law, like the one actually pushed by Senator Obama in 2007? YES. But listening to now two experts in two different shows...this is a real scandal unlike Benghazi and even IRS...this is the real scandal folks. "

...exactly is the "real scandal"? Sure there is outrage, and the news organizations are protecting their turf. The civil liberties groups are pushing their case against excesses and making the case for additional laws.

IOW, there are a lot of cries about overreach, but the DOJ actions were legal. After the initial report, there were questions about Holder's involvement, and it's now known that he recused himself from the case and was interviewed as part of the investigation.

From the initial AP report:

The Justice Department lays out strict rules for efforts to get phone records from news organizations. A subpoena can be considered only after "all reasonable attempts" have been made to get the same information from other sources, the rules say. It was unclear what other steps, in total, the Justice Department might have taken to get information in the case.

A subpoena to the media must be "as narrowly drawn as possible" and "should be directed at relevant information regarding a limited subject matter and should cover a reasonably limited time period," according to the rules.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183700073

That doesn't tell us much. It simply states the rules without any insights about the actual subpoena.

Now the letters with each side reiterating its position.

DOJ Defends Subpoenas To AP: We’re Enforcing The Law
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022842962

AP Ain't Done...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022844489

Other than that, the investigation that sparked the DOJ action is still ongoing.

Leaks could sink Obama Whitehouse (2012)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022843810