US seizure of journalist records called 'chilling'

Some folks have been a bit confused about why the scandal of tapping, probing and seizing records of U.S. Media organizations is both wrong and harmful to the operation of a free and open press. It's been suggested that the actions taken by the Department of Justice on this matter were fully justified and any secondary impact is just that, secondary and minor.

I believe quite the opposite to be true and feel it has and will continue to have a very chilling effect on sources and the ability of the press to get information of any sensitive nature on those things we most need to know about. It seems the Associated Press, as one, agrees. They're seeing and feeling the chill.

AFP - The US government's secret seizure of Associated Press phone records had a "chilling effect" on newsgathering by the agency and other news organizations, AP's top executive said Wednesday.

"Some longtime trusted sources have become nervous and anxious about talking with us," AP president and chief executive Gary Pruitt said in a speech to the National Press Club.

There are all kinds of things that may look good, feel good and even sound good in the heat of the moment for the pursuit of State Security. Those measures, when used at all, should always be weighed with the damage inherent to those they are done against. In this case, I see the damage as far outweiging any possible benefit.

Last month, Attorney General Eric Holder said the leak which prompted the seizure of journalist phone records was a "very serious" matter which "puts the American people at risk."

Pruitt said Wednesday however that the AP waited five days before publishing the article, until after it had been assured by US officials that "the national security risk had passed.

Source

The damage done in this case was all over a story which ran publicly anyway, according to the A.P.. It just ran a few days later. There was no balance I can see. Just damage. Profound and deep damage.

Well if the media's "sources" start drying up, then the government gets what they want.

Maybe that was the whole intent from the beginning?

They cleverly tap and pry and snoop on journalists and media companies and then some how "make sure" all the secret info gets out in the wild for everybody to scrutinize.

The end result is media tyranny with helium.

But it would take a global effort to stop all the true journalism.

Maybe that is happening?

Originally posted by xuenchen
Well if the media's "sources" start drying up, then the government gets what they want.

Maybe that was the whole intent from the beginning?

They cleverly tap and pry and snoop on journalists and media companies and then some how "make sure" all the secret info gets out in the wild for everybody to scrutinize.

The end result is media tyranny with helium.

But it would take a global effort to stop all the true journalism.

Maybe that is happening?

You give these fools to much credit.

They cant remember what they had for breakfast.

I cant take a break without missing new scandal.

This is the worst thing you could possibly do to an apathetic press corp.

It is so very chilling.

“If tyranny and oppression come to this land it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.”
― James Madison

All this "spying" to keep us safe - really?!

A page out of Mein Kampf -

The chief function of propaganda is to convince the masses, whose slowness of understanding needs to be given time so they may absorb information; and only constant repetition will finally succeed in imprinting an idea on their mind. the slogan must of course be illustrated in many ways and from several angles, but in the end one must always return to the assertion of the same formula. The one will be rewarded by the surprising and almost incredible results that such a personal policy secures

Censorship was enforced by a number of methods. First, the secret police or the 'normal' police ensured that the rules were kept to. Secondly, anyone who wanted to go outside of the desired party norm faced the most serious of consequences. Third, people in general were expected to report anything unacceptable to their local party chief. Those who knew something but did not report it were deemed as guilty as those who went against the system. Censorship ensured that the Nazis had the German public in their grip as they bombarded them on a daily basis on how their lives had been improved from the day Hitler became Germany's leader.

They were poor also. Manke them dependant, and make them listen. Offer them change and hope and then betray them all. Go to War...it just all seems so relevant to what is occurring again.

The government not only influences the media but now controls it. Those who own the media outlets tried to control the government and now it is has come back and bit them now that the government has grown so large.

When they implemented the tax system we become slaves to the government and since them they have slowly taken away the ability to say no and to have a voice.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

Well wasn't this the intended effect? Obama needed a finger in the dyke to stop the leaks and keep all the potential whistle blowers from coming forward. This pretty much did the trick and then some.

do some research into the idea of- problem, reaction, solution..!

and then research people like tony farrel and robin cook(ex uk foreign secretary), especially the bit about what he had to say about the creation of al queda,, just before he "died"...

think of the world as a chess board that the bankers/corporations are manipulating!!

for more info, find- the esoteric agenda- on youtube. and have a read of- all roads lead to rome, on here!!

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

Some folks have been a bit confused about why the scandal of tapping, probing and seizing records of U.S. Media organizations is both wrong and harmful to the operation of a free and open press.

That is assuming that the press is truly free and not bought an paid for by those that have oversight of the federal institutions as highlighted in the OP.

I find hypocrisy on both sides of the fence with respect to this issue.

Are the really having their freedom repressed or is there freedom to impose their promoted opinions not getting to the public, take your pick...

We are conspiracy experts we knew of this years ago,whats chilling is the non-action being done to enforce constitutional law.
Which is why I will STRONGLY support the second amendment and combat arms vets.
You guys may need us all soon,but I hope not,I'm pretty sure many of us would croak on that one.
Oh well lets all hope what ever the result America comes to honor like it should have always been.