A coalition of media companies, through the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, has blasted the Justice Dept. in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder for an "overreaching dragnet for newsgathering materials."
The Justice Dept. is under criticism for obtained phone records of Associated Press reporters in a leak probe about an Al Qaeda plot in Yemen.
The media organizations, including Atlantic Media, the New York Times Co., Dow Jones, Forbes and Gannett, to name a few, said the Justice Dept. violated guidelines for media subpoenas, showing a strong federal shield law is needed to protect reporters and their newsgathering efforts.
The White House said Wednesday it has asked Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee, to reintroduce a press shield law. A 2009 bill was derailed in part because of the Obama administration's weakening of its provisions.
The media companies want the Justice Dept. to return the phone records and destroy all copies, or at least prohibit further use of theme. They want an explanation for the legal tactics and public disclosure on who has access to the records and how they were protected.
Holder, in a press conference Tuesday, said the investigation involved "a very, very serious leak" that "put the American people at risk," adding "that is not hyperbole." He said the investigation required "very aggressive action."
Holder recused himself in the leak probe in 2012 because he was questioned in it.
The media companies also want to know whether the Justice Dept. has served any other media subpoenas that have not been disclosed.
Meredith Acquires, Plans to Fold Parenting, Babytalk
Meredith Corp. is acquiring Parenting and Babytalk magazines and their digital properties from Bonnier with plans to fold the publications into its own Parents and American Baby titles.
Parenting readers will receive Parents magazine and Baby Talk subscribers will get American Baby starting with the September issues. The Parenting.com website will be folded into Meredith's Parents network.
Meredith said popular editorial features and columns from the Bonnier titles will be included.
Dolan Works Kiplinger Social Presence
Rebecca Dolan, associate editor at Huffington Post Travel, has joined Kiplinger as community editor to manage the personal finance publisher's social media presence.
“With her diverse experience and fresh approach to social media, she will bring a new level of engagement and interaction for our readers across multiple platforms," said director of new media Doug Harbrecht.
Dolan previously worked at AOL Travel and Jacksonville Magazine.
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