This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/14/ap-phone-record-seizure-threatens-press

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The AP phone record seizure is a threat to America's press freedom The AP phone record seizure is a threat to America's press freedom
(4 months later)
Back in the day when George W Bush was president, journalists promised their sources confidentiality at the cost of their own freedom.Back in the day when George W Bush was president, journalists promised their sources confidentiality at the cost of their own freedom.
"I will protect your identity," reporters would say, "Even if I have to go to prison to do so.""I will protect your identity," reporters would say, "Even if I have to go to prison to do so."
Back then (six years ago) some journalists, Matthew Cooper, Walter Pincus and Judy Miller were put to the test by an administration the press thought unduly harsh. We worried that whistleblowers and government sources would stop leaking. We fretted that investigative journalism as we knew it would come to an end. Then came Obama.Back then (six years ago) some journalists, Matthew Cooper, Walter Pincus and Judy Miller were put to the test by an administration the press thought unduly harsh. We worried that whistleblowers and government sources would stop leaking. We fretted that investigative journalism as we knew it would come to an end. Then came Obama.
With yesterday's news that the justice department secretly obtained two months' worth of records from 20 Associated Press phone lines, in pursuit of information it won't tell us about, it's hard to remember that this is the president who once said: "We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation and collaboration."With yesterday's news that the justice department secretly obtained two months' worth of records from 20 Associated Press phone lines, in pursuit of information it won't tell us about, it's hard to remember that this is the president who once said: "We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation and collaboration."
But what is even more discouraging is the realization that we can no longer promise confidentiality. It isn't ours to keep.But what is even more discouraging is the realization that we can no longer promise confidentiality. It isn't ours to keep.
The Bush administration went after the press in its attempts to stop leaks. Obama's justice department goes straight for the leaker. In this, the White House is displaying the same strategy it uses to get its message out – only in reverse. Cut out the press and go straight to the people.The Bush administration went after the press in its attempts to stop leaks. Obama's justice department goes straight for the leaker. In this, the White House is displaying the same strategy it uses to get its message out – only in reverse. Cut out the press and go straight to the people.
We're only part of the process, because we've been on the phone or at the computer communicating with those who have a story to tell. What does the government do? Seize as many records as you can, read through them all, and thus learn about other confidential sources you have no right to know about. Invade the privacy of a news organization that is constitutionally meant to operate with freedom. And at the end of the day, you might get the name of someone who said something you'd rather had been kept quiet.We're only part of the process, because we've been on the phone or at the computer communicating with those who have a story to tell. What does the government do? Seize as many records as you can, read through them all, and thus learn about other confidential sources you have no right to know about. Invade the privacy of a news organization that is constitutionally meant to operate with freedom. And at the end of the day, you might get the name of someone who said something you'd rather had been kept quiet.
There's something of the drone operation mentality in all of this. And it's not just that technology makes life so much easier for those in power to go after those who are not.There's something of the drone operation mentality in all of this. And it's not just that technology makes life so much easier for those in power to go after those who are not.
Let's assume that the heavy-handed approach is the fallout from Wikileaks; it could be that the tsunami of the 2010 leaks left this administration understandably skittish. But not every leaker is Bradley Manning, just as not every president is Richard Nixon. This blanket seizure of information without notice is unprecedented. It leaves us with the chilling impression that this is a White House intoxicated by its own power.Let's assume that the heavy-handed approach is the fallout from Wikileaks; it could be that the tsunami of the 2010 leaks left this administration understandably skittish. But not every leaker is Bradley Manning, just as not every president is Richard Nixon. This blanket seizure of information without notice is unprecedented. It leaves us with the chilling impression that this is a White House intoxicated by its own power.
Does the Obama administration really believe that the ends justify the means? The White House is not trying to defend itself. Its position is that its hands are clean. Its statement last night, it said:Does the Obama administration really believe that the ends justify the means? The White House is not trying to defend itself. Its position is that its hands are clean. Its statement last night, it said:
"Other than press reports, we have no knowledge of any attempt by the justice department to seek phone records of the AP. We are not involved in decisions made in connection with criminal investigations.""Other than press reports, we have no knowledge of any attempt by the justice department to seek phone records of the AP. We are not involved in decisions made in connection with criminal investigations."
Obama isn't Nixon, but the president can no longer use the "I didn't know" defense. As the pursuit of leakers has shown us, technology has given the administration the ability to know anything it wants. But just because technology means you can do something, doesn't mean you should.Obama isn't Nixon, but the president can no longer use the "I didn't know" defense. As the pursuit of leakers has shown us, technology has given the administration the ability to know anything it wants. But just because technology means you can do something, doesn't mean you should.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.