Anonymous Patron writes ” This should sound frighteningly familiar:
“Citing a provision of the Patriot Act, the FBI is sending letters to journalists telling them to secretly prepare to turn over their notes, e-mails and sources to the bureau.”
The case in question has to do with a hacker–nothing to do with terrorism.”
Citing a provision of the Patriot Act, the FBI is sending letters to journalists telling them to secretly prepare to turn over their notes, e-mails and sources to the bureau.
Flawed reporting
This story has some interesting gaps. First and foremost, if all this is being done “in secret,” as the story repeatedly assures us, then how did this guy find out about it? He gives no reason to believe that his sources were anything other than his own imagination. Not that I don’t believe the FBI would do this – I believe all kinds of abuses of the Patriot Act are possible and maybe inevitable. But I would like a story a bit more believable before I start worrying about an abuse. (Oh, and another thing: why does he say that this is a First Amendment issue? It seems to be more one of unreasonable search and seizure, which is the Fourth Amendment.)
Re:Flawed reporting
Because if this report is true and accurate the movement constitutes a clear and present attack against a free press. The FBI is according to itself the right to violate confidentiality. As to why this guy might be blowing the whistle, the provisions that allow for secret government in the judicial process can only be challenged in court if someone violates that provision. This reporter could be making a test case of himself.
Hypocritial IF advocates. BPL.
Our state FOI freedom of information public records appeal process is being used by Boston Public Library President Bernie Margolis and his delegated so called FOI officer Operations Director R. Kowal as a way to deflect valid worthwhile reference desk enquiries for city public archives kept by our public library.
See alsoo m
Collaborative WebLog
A guide to problematical library use.
http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.blog-city.c