The administration of Barack Obama spied on Fox News reporter James Rosen in 2010 as it investigated the leak of classified information from the State Department related to weapons testing in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a.k.a. North Korea).
These seismic revelations – broken this week by The Washington Post – represent the latest brazen abuse of authority by Obama’s Department of Justice, which also conducted extensive snooping into the reporting activities of three Associated Press offices.
In Rosen’s case, though, the agency took it one step further – gathering evidence in secret against the reporter in an effort to prosecute him as an accomplice to espionage.
According to the government, Rosen established a relationship with State Department arms expert Stephen Jin-Woo Kim – one in which he received (and published) classified intelligence related to North Korea’s nuclear missile tests.
“From the beginning of their relationship, (Rosen) asked, solicited and encouraged Mr. Kim to disclose sensitive United States internal documents and intelligence information about (North Korea),” FBI agent Reginald Reyes wrote in seeking a search warrant for Rosen’s personal emails. “(Rosen) did so by employing flattery and playing to Mr. Kim’s vanity and ego.”
Reyes later labeled Rosen as an “aider, abettor and/or co-conspirator” in Kim’s crime.
Seriously … seriously? Reporters flattering sources and appealing to their vanity and egos is now a crime? Go ahead and lock up every member of the Fourth Estate, then.
Fox News was (rightfully) irate at the snooping – as well as the larger effort on the part of the Obama administration to criminalize reporting.
“It is downright chilling,” Fox News’ executive vice president Michael Clemente said of the spy games. “We will unequivocally defend his right to operate as a member of what up until now has always been a free press.”
Clemente added that Rosen was merely “doing his job.”
We concur.
A reporter’s responsibility is to obtain information. Period. Barring extraordinary circumstances (none of which appear to be present in this case), that process cannot be criminalized. Otherwise this country really has become the “Evil Empire.”
Obama said last week that he makes “no apologies” for his administration investigating leaks involving “national security,” which is a curious position to take seeing as he’s the one who gets to define “national security.”
Whatever his weasel words in response … there’s no universe in which this sort of “War on Journalism” is appropriate.
***
49 comments
Barack Obama:
By the end of his Presidency he’ll be just another angry black man. Nice legacy.
Barack Obama:
By the end of his Presidency he’ll be just another angry black man. Nice legacy.
I love how all these Republicans who were RABID supporters of the Bush Administration Patriot Act and the secret courts that are issuing these subpoenas that are so upsetting these GOPers “inner libertarian self”have become oh so righteous on the rights of a media,they usually hold in open contempt.
Of course,they COUDNT CARE LESS about ANY of this.Just a way to get at Obama.
Theyll soon be back to labelling the ACLU as a bunch of Commies.
Ah the indignation!Alas,so fleeting!
Republicans only bitch because they aren’t in control of the vast powers they’ve granted to the Executive branch anymore. As soon as the next GOPer sits his wrinkled ass in the Oval Office, suddenly these “outrages” will disappear, at least from right-wing media.
Note: This doesn’t stop them from continuing to expand upon the powers of the Executive branch, as they figure the law of averages will eventually give it back to them.
You bend over for a Dirty and false god. Blaming Republicans can never change the sickening sycophant you are showing yourself to be,
Your parents have raised a corrupt idol-worshiper, w/ no morals. Shame on them and you. You are an abomination to freedom and honesty.
Your soul for some food stamps and a government check…how terribly sad and pathetic you are…
Bravo!
Is your Grand Dragon Barack Obama, or Rev. Jeremiah Wright? Because the biggest Racists in the country are liberals….and you KKKs are Racists, like Obama, ACORN, NAACP, New Black Panthers, Southern Poverty Center and all the other leftwing hate groups…
Only you know what’s right BigT/Grand Tango. How could the other 99.999999 of us be so stupid?
I know! Bush laid down the blueprint with the Patriot Act, Obama with the bipartisan authored NDAA and people are shocked and outraged that they actually used it…
Wrong-o…
W was absolutely pilloried by both the mainstream media and their smellier friends on the kooky far-left (anarchists, career WTO protesters, occupy-types, etc.) for just about every move he made related to homeland security, terrorism, and Fourth Amendment issues in general. Don’t you remember all of the cute posters with W sporting the Hitler mustache? The “murderer” thing? All the Orwellian wailing and gnashing of teeth?
Besides, FISA warrants are actually a pain in the ass to draw. Of course, Big Bro Holder doesn’t mess with warrants- he just subpoenas media info. Much quicker, and doesn’t involve all those pesky judges and their nosy-ass questions.
I remember Fox News, talk radio, and all manners of right-wing blogs saying how there’s GOT to be WMDs in Iraq, how waterboarding isn’t torture, how we need warrantless wiretaps, how gubmint not telling us jack shit is a good thing, how deficits don’t matter, etc.
Come on Smirks. You really think the spigot got turned off just because Oshitforbrains took office? REALLY?
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Wrong-o…
W was absolutely pilloried by both the mainstream media and their smellier friends on the kooky far-left (anarchists, career WTO protesters, occupy-types, etc.) for just about every move he made related to homeland security, terrorism, and Fourth Amendment issues in general. Don’t you remember all of the cute posters with W sporting the Hitler mustache? The “murderer” thing? All the Orwellian wailing and gnashing of teeth?
Besides, FISA warrants are actually a pain in the ass to draw. Of course, Big Bro Holder doesn’t mess with warrants- he just subpoenas media info. Much quicker, and doesn’t involve all those pesky judges and their nosy-ass questions.
Thanks for the Stupidity, your fear shows this is substantial …
Bush NEVER did anything even close to as bad as targeting Americans because they are political enemies…and accusing him of it, does not count…
That said his Obama scandal is really drawing out the Leftwing Nutjobs….
But what’s new…they are always kooky…when they are freightened, they are REALLY funny to watch…
I love how all these Republicans who were RABID supporters of the Bush Administration Patriot Act and the secret courts that are issuing these subpoenas that are so upsetting these GOPers “inner libertarian self”have become oh so righteous on the rights of a media,they usually hold in open contempt.
Of course,they COUDNT CARE LESS about ANY of this.Just a way to get at Obama.
Theyll soon be back to labelling the ACLU as a bunch of Commies.
Ah the indignation!Alas,so fleeting!
Republicans only bitch because they aren’t in control of the vast powers they’ve granted to the Executive branch anymore. As soon as the next GOPer sits his wrinkled ass in the Oval Office, suddenly these “outrages” will disappear, at least from right-wing media.
Note: This doesn’t stop them from continuing to expand upon the powers of the Executive branch, as they figure the law of averages will eventually give it back to them.
Wrong-o…
W was absolutely pilloried by both the mainstream media and their smellier friends on the kooky far-left (anarchists, career WTO protesters, occupy-types, etc.) for just about every move he made related to homeland security, terrorism, and Fourth Amendment issues in general. Don’t you remember all of the cute posters with W sporting the Hitler mustache? The “murderer” thing? All the Orwellian wailing and gnashing of teeth?
Besides, FISA warrants are actually a pain in the ass to draw. Of course, Big Bro Holder doesn’t mess with warrants- he just subpoenas media info. Much quicker, and doesn’t involve all those pesky judges and their nosy-ass questions.
I remember Fox News, talk radio, and all manners of right-wing blogs saying how there’s GOT to be WMDs in Iraq, how waterboarding isn’t torture, how we need warrantless wiretaps, how gubmint not telling us jack shit is a good thing, how deficits don’t matter, etc.
Come on Smirks. You really think the spigot got turned off just because Oshitforbrains took office? REALLY?
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Can’t wait to hear what Frank “Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge” Pytel has to say about this. He had no love for the AP when they got snooped because, you know, the librul media.
This is above party. People should get that. But they don’t.
I’m guessing it’ll be something about how this Fox News guys was really a leftist.
You would be wrong.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
I believe that Mr. Nixon and Smirks have it correct, above. The Repuklicrats continue to bitch for no other reason than they are not currently in power. Demlicans did the same thing with Bushy, Dub-ya and Reagan.
This is a non story. The MSM and many many other bloggers, citizen journalists and various other scumbags are nothing more than puppets for the current regime. The regime of the Demlicans and Republicrats. So why should I cry for them?
I have steadfastly stood by this premise since my mid 20’s. Current politics have confirmed that while change is one of the few things that stays the same, politics is still number one.
Divide and conquer is the moniker. That will change when the likes of you, those that stand by a party instead of a principle are allowed to continue dragging your knuckles on the ground.
A Friend, your comment is about as comprehensive and meaningful as T’s. T just likes to use some of the more vibrant keys on the keyboard. And likely enjoyed spending time with Lucy for too many years.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
“Divide and conquer is the moniker. That will change when the likes of
you, those that stand by a party instead of a principle are allowed to
continue dragging your knuckles on the ground.”
Yeah, I just said that this is an issue that is above party, so…
Anyway, good luck when their snooping on you becomes a bit more invasive b/c you didn’t care. Nice way to roll on over.
And there you have it.
https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/05/20/incoming-wire-vick-sanford-cursing-etc/
Read Sics response to a guy expressing his free speech rights and getting knocked over for it. Why do I care if the MSM or anyone else gets it with a little more or less lube than I do.
Fuck that shit.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Can’t wait to hear what Frank “Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge” Pytel has to say about this. He had no love for the AP when they got snooped because, you know, the librul media.
This is above party. People should get that. But they don’t.
I’m guessing it’ll be something about how this Fox News guys was really a leftist.
You would be wrong.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
I believe that Mr. Nixon and Smirks have it correct, above. The Repuklicrats continue to bitch for no other reason than they are not currently in power. Demlicans did the same thing with Bushy, Dub-ya and Reagan.
This is a non story. The MSM and many many other bloggers, citizen journalists and various other scumbags are nothing more than puppets for the current regime. The regime of the Demlicans and Republicrats. So why should I cry for them?
I have steadfastly stood by this premise since my mid 20’s. Current politics have confirmed that while change is one of the few things that stays the same, politics is still number one.
Divide and conquer is the moniker. That will change when the likes of you, those that stand by a party instead of a principle are allowed to continue dragging your knuckles on the ground.
A Friend, your comment is about as comprehensive and meaningful as T’s. T just likes to use some of the more vibrant keys on the keyboard. And likely enjoyed spending time with Lucy for too many years.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
“Divide and conquer is the moniker. That will change when the likes of
you, those that stand by a party instead of a principle are allowed to
continue dragging your knuckles on the ground.”
Yeah, I just said that this is an issue that is above party, so…
Anyway, good luck when their snooping on you becomes a bit more invasive b/c you didn’t care. Nice way to roll on over.
And there you have it.
https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/05/20/incoming-wire-vick-sanford-cursing-etc/
Read Sics response to a guy expressing his free speech rights and getting knocked over for it. Why do I care if the MSM or anyone else gets it with a little more or less lube than I do.
Fuck that shit.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Wasn’t Obama’s excuse: Fox is not a news outlet…LMAO….Obama and Co. is the FILTHIEST group of slime in politics….
I wonder if this was discovered via “email”.?
I wonder if this was discovered via “email”.?
I label this story selective enforcement. After all, it is President Obama’s own White House staff that released information gained when our military killed Osama Bin Laden, simply for political gain (to win an election).
I label this story selective enforcement. After all, it is President Obama’s own White House staff that released information gained when our military killed Osama Bin Laden, simply for political gain (to win an election).
Caption for picture: “Who dat?”
Caption for picture: “Who dat?”
Doing his job publishing classified information?? Valerie Plame says hello!!
Doing his job publishing classified information?? Valerie Plame says hello!!
Now if the family will gather in front of the tv screen on the refrigerator for a moment Big Brother would like to say a few things. The first time I saw one on a gas pump I cringed. It was tuned to Fox News so the battle must have come over programming and the two sides call a truce and removed them.
Now if the family will gather in front of the tv screen on the refrigerator for a moment Big Brother would like to say a few things. The first time I saw one on a gas pump I cringed. It was tuned to Fox News so the battle must have come over programming and the two sides call a truce and removed them.
Obama wants total tracking, that’s for sure. http://to.ly/loep
Obama wants total tracking, that’s for sure. http://to.ly/loep
Why are my right-wing brethren so upset about all this. For years we’ve known that the media is made up of a bunch of Liberals. Now that Obama starts going after them, folks are complaining?! Come on… I say go after all those liberal-elite reporter types… that is until they start actually reporting news that is Fair and Balanced.
Why are my right-wing brethren so upset about all this. For years we’ve known that the media is made up of a bunch of Liberals. Now that Obama starts going after them, folks are complaining?! Come on… I say go after all those liberal-elite reporter types… that is until they start actually reporting news that is Fair and Balanced.