A perfect setup to criminalize journalism
Photo courtesy of Tim Burke
Tim Burke is being prosecuted for journalism. That’s wrong and endangers the free press.
Journalist Tim Burke faces a disturbing federal prosecution in a case with significant implications for press freedom.
Prosecutors’ expansive interpretation of federal law in Burke’s case, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, could make routine digital journalism a crime and put journalists at risk of prosecution. The government’s raid of Burke’s newsroom and attempt to permanently seize his equipment and newsgathering materials could stop reporting and reveal confidential sources. The Burke prosecution sends a chilling message to other journalists and sources and must be dropped or dismissed.
Featured Items
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Charges against journalist Tim Burke are a ‘hack’ job
If the Burke prosecution succeeds, it will encourage the powerful to use a federal computer hacking law to attack reporting that embarrasses them or exposes their wrongdoing.
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Indictment of journalist raises serious First Amendment concerns
Government seeks permanent seizure of journalist Tim Burke's computers
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Transparency is vital when government investigates newsgathering
Answers needed on how investigators believe Project Veritas broke the law by obtaining stolen documents from sources
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DOJ must explain newsroom raid, coalition tells federal court
Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) and six other organizations filed an amicus brief in support of journalist Tim Burke
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Are journalists raided because they're doing their jobs too well?
FPF’s Caitlin Vogus talks about the Tim Burke newsroom raid on the National Press Club’s podcast
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Rights orgs, broadcasters demand info on FBI raid of journalist’s home
Lack of transparency on how Tim Burke’s newsgathering allegedly violated computer crime laws has a chilling effect on journalism
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New guide helps journalists know their rights when police come knocking
Guide responds to confusion (at best) among law enforcement and judges evidenced by recent raids of newsrooms and journalists' homes in Kansas and Florida
