TSA ends journalist subpoenas over leaked memo
Fly Guy
The TSA impliments spure-of-the-moment changes to the security screening
process on Christmas day, thousands of flyers become aware of these
changes and will quite likely tell their friends, family, post about
them on-line, yet the FBI thinks that some sort of crime has happened
when some journalists write about them in the press?
What am I missing here?
-----------------------------------
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100101/D9CUKTGO0.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Transportation Security Administration on Thursday
dropped its subpoenas it had issued to two Internet writers in its
effort to find the leaker of an airline security directive.
The subpoenas were criticized by a leading journalism organization.
The TSA said the investigation is "nearing a successful conclusion and
the subpoenas are no longer in effect."
The security directive, which ordered extra measures after a Christmas
Day attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, quickly became known to
passengers at screening lines and aboard their flights. Nonetheless, the
passenger screening agency said it "takes any breach in security very
seriously."
One subpoena went to Internet travel writer Chris Elliott, who obtained
an attorney and did not immediately comply.
Elliott, from Winter Springs, Fla., said TSA agents had showed up at his
house, demanding that he reveal who leaked the security directive.
The administrative subpoena - a demand for information issued without a
judge's approval - is a civil, not a criminal document.
Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom
of the Press, said her organization is supporting Elliott.
Another travel blogger who received a subpoena, Steve Frischling, said
he met with two TSA special agents Tuesday night at his Connecticut home
for about three hours and again on Wednesday morning when he was forced
to hand over his laptop computer.
Frischling said the agents threatened to interfere with his contract to
write a blog for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines if he didn't cooperate and
provide the name of the person who leaked the memo.
Dalglish said she was not speaking for Frischling, but added there's
nothing to challenge if he already handed over his computer.
Dalglish said she could not remember the last time an administrative
subpoena had been served on a reporter in last decade.
The TSA directive outlined new screening measures that went into effect
the same day as the airliner incident at Detroit. It included many
procedures that would be apparent to the traveling public, such as
screening at boarding gates, patting down the upper legs and torso,
physically inspecting all travelers' belongings, looking carefully at
syringes with powders and liquids, requiring that passengers remain in
their seats one hour before landing, and disabling all onboard
communications systems, including what is provided by the airline.
It also listed people who would be exempted from these screening
procedures such as heads of state and their families.