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Online Journalists are ISPs?

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the declan-brand-dialup dept.

MFS! writes "Long-time C|Net reporter and Politech operator Declan McCullagh has been contacted by the FBI, according to his most recent article. The FBI requests that he retain all records regarding his talks with Adrian Lamo. The problem? The FBI's letter was sent under the auspices of a law which applies only to internet service providers. Says Declan, "Perhaps I'd be immune from the FBI's demands if I used an Underwood No. 5 typewriter instead." Does writing online now qualify one as an ISP?"

3 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Bending and twisting by Dutchmaan · · Score: 0, Troll

    Prosecuting a meth maker under weapons of mass destruction. Forcing online journalists to disclose under as if they were ISP's..

    At least they weren't wasting any time before they obviously started bending the law..

    they could have at least waited until the Patriot Act was permanent before they started pulling this sort of stuff.

    On the bright side maybe the Patriot Act *won't* become permanent because of these kinds of actions.

  2. Re:First Amendment??? by smack_attack · · Score: 0, Troll

    They are trying to find a backdoor to this bothersome freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Next thing you know they'll try to say that freedom of press only applies to those who have a FCC permit.

    After that they'll try and claim that the 2nd ammendment only applies to the military.

    Oh wait...

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    Hammer of Truth
  3. I love it.. by MisanthropicProggram · · Score: 0, Troll
    Asscroft is touring the country trying to convince citizens that PATRIOT II is in their best interests and his people are proving him wrong! Hahahahaha

    On the other hand, unless this is really being hyped on CNN and the networks, most people probably don't even know this is happening.

    Sigh :(

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    There is no spoon or sig.