RTDNA joins call for Congress to review FBI search of Washington Post reporter

RTDNA has joined Demand Progress and a coalition of press freedom, civil liberties and human rights organizations calling on Congress to investigate the FBI’s search of the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and the seizure of her electronic devices.

The statement was issued by Demand Progress as part of a joint letter sent to leadership of the House and Senate judiciary committees. The coalition is urging lawmakers to obtain and release warrant materials and related authorization documents connected to the search, citing concerns about potential violations of federal law and threats to press freedom.

According to Demand Progress, the FBI’s actions could have a chilling effect on newsgathering and risk exposing confidential journalistic sources. The coalition is requesting congressional oversight to determine whether the search undermines First Amendment protections.

“By raiding Hannah Natanson’s home and seizing her devices, the government threatened bedrock principles of our Constitution and a free society,” said Emily Peterson-Cassin, policy director at Demand Progress, in the organization’s release.

RTDNA joins other press freedom and civil rights organizations in supporting the call for transparency and oversight to protect journalists’ ability to report freely and independently.

For the full Demand Progress release, click here.