"Judge Blocks Government From Searching Data Seized From Post Reporter"

"The seizure “chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm,” The Post said in statement."

"Government officials may not examine electronic devices seized from a Washington Post reporter until litigation stemming from the search of her home is settled, a federal judge in Virginia ruled Wednesday.

The ruling from U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Porter was issued hours after The Post demanded in a court filing that federal law enforcement officials return the electronic devices the government seized from staff reporter Hannah Natanson’s home last week. The extraordinary search “flouts the First Amendment and ignores federal statutory safeguards for journalists,” The Post told the court.

Federal agents executed a search warrant on Jan. 14 at Natanson’s home in Virginia, seizing a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive and a Garmin watch. Law enforcement officials said the search was part of an investigation into a government contractor who is accused of unlawfully obtaining classified materials."

Perry Stein reports for the Washington Post January 21, 20226.

SEE ALSO:

Journalism Groups, Including SEJ, Protest DOJ Search of Post Reporter's Home (SPJ)

"Donald Trump Files Lawsuit Against 20 Media Outlets—Full List" (Newsweek)

"Trump's Media And Defamation Lawsuits This Year Tie Record" (Axios)

"Federal Judge Tosses Trump’s $15B Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times" (First Amendment Watch)

"Trump Administration Litigation Tracker" (Lawfare)

"Trump Lawsuits Seek To Muzzle Media, Posing Serious Threat To Free Press" (The Conversation)