‘The Justice Department has allowed us to say AG Holder supports press freedom’

Comment from The Washington Examiner:

“Justice Department has overreached in its leak investigations and said officials would seek procedural and possibly legislative changes to protect journalists’ First Amendment rights.

“Holder’s commitment came at a private meeting with news executives after criticism that the Justice Department had infringed on the news media in several high-profile leak investigations. Participants said he told them officials would revise guidelines for issuing subpoenas to obtain reporters’ phone records.

“The 90-minute meeting was attended by a small group of journalists after several news organizations objected to the Justice Department’s insistence that it be held off the record. The participants, however, reached an agreement with the Justice Department under which they could describe what occurred during the meeting in general terms. The Justice Department is expected to meet with other organizations and media lawyers in coming days.

"Holder and aides 'completely endorsed the president’s statement that reporters should not be at legal risk for doing their job,' said Martin Baron, The Washington Post’s executive editor, who was among the participants. 'They acknowledged the need for changes in their own guidelines and the need to have a more rigorous internal review.'

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/washington-post-the-justice-department-has-allowed-us-to-say-ag-holder-supports-press-freedom/article/2530898

I don’t know where to begin. Answering absolute idiocy is difficult.

These people – representing news organizations – agree to attend a meeting hosted by the attorney general, a meeting in which the AG will talk about what his government intends to do concerning freedom of the press, and these people agree not to report anything unless the AG gives permission.

These people hear the AG say his government said will “seek procedural and possibly legislative changes to protect journalists’ First Amendment rights.”

Look at that: The AG’s government intends to have its followers in Congress make laws protecting First Amendment rights. As the nation’s top lawyer, why does Mr. Holder not understand the First Amendment protects the First Amendment?

The AG also said “officials would revise guidelines for issuing subpoenas to obtain reporters’ phone records.” How could any journalist sitting in that room hear those words and not stand and say, “Just a minute, Mr. Attorney General. Which laws give you the power and authority to get any reporter’s records?”

It is one thing to roll over for a political party, as many news organizations and reporters have done. It is altogether another form of surrender to be on one’s hands and knees and say, “Please, Sir. I want some more."
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