Hi Revealer,

We are outraged. 

As you may already know, on Aug. 11, police raided the Marion County Record newsroom and the home of one of the co-owners of the Kansas-based newspaper. Authorities confiscated cellphones, computers and other materials.

Along with dozens of newsrooms, we signed a letter of support to condemn the raid and demand the seized items be returned to Marion County Record. While officials now say the items will be returned, we will continue to speak out about this situation and others like it.

As the general counsel for The Center for Investigative Reporting, it is shocking and appalling to see such a blatant violation of the First Amendment and the Privacy Protection Act of 1980, which broadly prohibits law enforcement officials from searching for or seizing information from reporters. 

The First Amendment has long protected newsgathering. Here, the Marion Police Department’s reckless actions not only violate those principles, but also chill the free flow of information by intimidating the press and dissuading sources from speaking to the Record and other news outlets in the future.

When the freedom of the press is weakened, our democracy is threatened. This cannot happen again or our country will be at risk of threat to our very foundation.

During these trying times, I want to thank you for your support of our work and for believing in the importance of independent journalism.

Best,

Victoria Baranetsky
General Counsel
The Center for Investigative Reporting