The Northern Illinois News Association joins with all who cherish press freedom in expressing concern over the almost unprecedented Aug. 11 police search of the Marion County (Kansas) Record offices and the home of its publisher as well as the subsequent seizure of the news organization’s computers and other devices.
The material was seized through a warrant, which since has been withdrawn, that police used in investigating a complaint from a local restauranteur that the paper had illegally obtained information about her. But the seized material likely contains — among myriad other sensitive information — notes, research materials and source identifications related to the local newspaper’s investigations of the local police department. The county state’s attorney is among those who have called for police to return the material, and the prosecutor determined there was insufficient evidence to support the search or the seizure of electronic devices.
Even though police have been ordered to return the materials seized, that measure would repair only some of the damage, the NINA Board said.
The seizure came despite federal regulations designed to protect news organizations against such raids.
In its statement, the NINA Board expressed agreement with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which said, “Newsroom searches and seizures are among the most intrusive actions law enforcement can take with respect to the free press, and the most potentially suppressive of free speech by the press and the public.”
“The role of an unfettered press is vital to the health of a democracy, both as a necessary check on government and as a purveyor of information to the public,” said John Lampinen, president of the NINA Board. “Those who value freedom by definition must also support a free press.”
Northern Illinois News Association 