Tim Burke

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Journalist Tim Burke in front of a computer and two monitors

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.

Tell lawmakers to speak up against Burke prosecution
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Message: Dear Member of Congress, I’m writing to urge you to speak out against the Department of Justice’s continued prosecution of Tim Burke, a journalist whose reporting has helped expose antisemitism. Burke was indicted by the Department of Justice under former President Joe Biden after Burke exposed an antisemitic rant by superstar musician Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. The Biden DOJ charged Burke with violations of federal computer fraud and wiretapping laws for his reporting. The most serious charges were recently dismissed, but the DOJ is appealing. It should instead take the opportunity to drop the misguided prosecution against Burke altogether. As a Trump-appointed judge explained in dismissing part of the case, the government’s legal theory is so broad it could criminalize all kinds of routine digital journalism — including merely listening to a publicly broadcast livestream. I URGE YOU to ask the Department of Justice why it continues a Biden-era prosecution that tests the outer contours of internet law to punish a journalist who exposed antisemitism. The DOJ should drop the case against Burke immediately. URLs are not allowed in this message.

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Featured Items

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Plus: A perfect setup to criminalize reporting of corporate secrets

Published Jan. 31, 2025 Freedom of the Press Foundation
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