Committee to Protect Journalists/CPJ's board of directors has rarely seen the need to raise its collective voice against U.S. government actions that threaten news-gathering.
This month, however, the board wrote to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole to vigorously protest the secret seizing of phone records of The Associated Press.
A few days later, in a letter to Holder, CPJ joined more than 60 civil liberties, press freedom, and public interest groups in demanding answers on the recent targeting of journalists.
In a Washington address two days after the board letter was sent, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was "troubled by the possibility that leak investigations may chill the investigative journalism that holds government accountable." He added that Holder has agreed to "review existing Department of Justice guidelines governing investigations that involve reporters" and report back by July 12.
Committee to Protect Journalists - www.cpj.org