Paper sues as Ashcroft seeks records (N.Y.Times)

[Judi Lynn]

Sept. 28, 2004, 11:33PM

Paper sues as Ashcroft seeks records
New York Times fighting to keep post-9/11 phone calls confidential
Associated Press

NEW YORK - The New York Times sued Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday, seeking to block the Justice Department from obtaining records of telephone calls between two veteran journalists and their confidential sources.
The lawsuit said the Justice Department was "on the verge" of getting records as part of a probe aimed at learning the identity of government employees who may have provided information to the newspaper. It asked a judge to intervene.

The paper said the government intends to get the records, which reflect confidential communications between journalists Philip Shenon and Judith Miller and their sources, from third parties unlikely to challenge its authority.

The lawsuit said the Justice Department has advised the Times that it plans to obtain records of all telephone calls by Shenon and Miller for 20 days in the months following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The lawsuit said the scope of the government's demand meant that the records would expose the identities of dozens of sources used by the reporters for an array of articles about Sept. 11, the government's handling of continued threats from al-Qaida and the war in Iraq.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2820325
(Free registration required)

[gandalf]

1. Can somebody explain to me which justified interest

the Justice Department could have in knowing to whom the Times reporters talked?

Or is this just a move to intimidate a sometimes critical voice in the media landscape? (Especially Miller can be regarded as a strong supporter of the Administration anyway...)

[Gore1FL]

2. outing the CIA agent

It seems like it would be easier (and warranted) for them to simply crucify Novak.

[gandalf]

3. You mean the Plame story?

But that was much later...

Or did I misunderstand you?

[BootinUp]

4. For this criminal investigation, they should get the records

This is not a traditional case where the reporter is protecting a whistleblower or witness of some crime, rather the reporter is complicit and being used by the government to out a CIA agent and to damage a whistleblower's personal life. The government used this method to stifle desent. I say get the records.

[vinnievin777]

5. It is an Orwellian administration

That gets scarier as each day goes by.
Vinnie
http://www.vinnievin.com

[izzie]

6. Get in line. Do as Bush and Co want is what it is telling the paper.

Or it is how I see it.

[Moderator]

7. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=871460