The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have been involved in a secret legal battle to stop the US government from subpoenaing several reporters in connection with national security leak probes.

Background

The Justice Department subsequently withdrew the subpoenas, at least for the time being, though the episode remains a troubling example of President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against the news media.

The Journal revealed the probes last month and said it was “vigorously” opposing “this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting.” The Post remained silent about the matter until recently, when it reported that the Justice Department “withdrew the subpoenas earlier this month after they were challenged by the news organizations, according to a Justice Department official familiar with the matter.”

None of the journalists were ever compelled to testify about their anonymous sources. The Post confirmed that the subpoena to reporter Ellen Nakashima was withdrawn, and a person familiar with the matter confirmed to CNN that the order to the Journal was also withdrawn a few weeks ago.

Implications

The newsrooms will remain on guard against the possibility that the subpoenas will be reissued in the future. This legal battle between the government and two top newsrooms stemmed from the government’s leak hunts, which have been fueled by Trump’s anger over crucial and carefully sourced stories about the risks of military action in Iran — stories that turned out to be prescient.

Press freedom groups said the notion that the reporting amounted to “treason” was preposterous. The Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, wrote in a newsroom memo, “With the news out and the subpoena withdrawn, I want to reiterate our unwavering support for the First Amendment rights enshrined in our constitution, the legal protections afforded journalists, and our unblinking support of our journalists and press freedom.”

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.