Slashdot Mirror
Blogging All the Way to Jail
Glyn writes "Time magazine is reporting on Josh Wolf the 'first blogger to be targeted by federal authorities for not cooperating with a grand jury.' Josh would have normally been protected from government coercion by California state shield laws but the prosecutors have argued its a federal matter, using quite shaky logic. Josh's blog is being updated by his mother, providing updates on what is happening. From the article: '"Not only does this logic seem silly," Wolf told TIME in June after receiving his final subpoena, "but if unchallenged it will have a deleterious effect on the state protections afforded to many journalists, both independent and those that are part of the established media." Judge William Alsup of Federal District Court rejected Wolf's arguments, and declared him in contempt of court. So he is now being held in a detention center in Dublin, Calif, where he could remain until next July.'"
That is why they were granted the warrant: to see if there is useful information on the video. They had probable cause to get the warrant (seeing him filming near the protests). Nobody's rights are being violated here, this is just a run-of-the-mill protecting protesters case where some kids makes himself out to be a victim. They should charge him with felony obstruction of justice. Get over yourself Slashdot, this is NOT a "your rights online" paranoia-fueled big government tin foil hat case!