Trump administration obtained phone records of journalists: Washington Post

AFP | Washington

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Trump administration secretly obtained the phone records of Washington Post journalists who reported on allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the newspaper reported Friday, prompting concerns over freedom of speech. The Justice Department sent letters to three reporters -- Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous -- saying that it had received work, cell or home phone records “for the period from April 15, 2017, to July 31, 2017,” according to the Post.

The newspaper was “deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalist,” Post acting executive editor Cameron Barr was quoted as saying.

“The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment,” he continued. The American Civil Liberties Union said the Justice Department had been “spying” on the journalists “at the whims of an administration.”

“This should never have happened,” the ACLU tweeted. “When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press.” The Justice Department said it had followed “established procedures” with the requests, the Post reported, citing a department spokesman.