The NewsGuild-CWA is strongly condemning the FBI’s search of a Washington Post
reporter’s home, calling the action a dangerous assault on press freedom and the First Amendment.
On Wednesday, FBI agents searched the Virginia home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter who covers the federal workforce, and seized several of her personal devices. Natanson is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. According to the Washington Post, the search was part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.
The Washington Post Guild, which represents Natanson, issued a statement expressing alarm over the raid.
“The Washington Post Guild is alarmed and appalled by federal law enforcement’s search and seizure of reporter Hannah Natanson’s property and personal devices,” the Guild said. “Hannah is a valued member of our union whose work covering the federal workforce has been essential in understanding the impact of the Trump administration’s policies. The extraordinary decision to execute a search warrant at a journalist’s home should shock and dismay everyone who cares about a free and independent press. The Post Guild stands with Hannah, and will continue to fight for our members’ safety and independence so that they can continue their critical work.”
NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss also condemned the FBI’s actions.
“Journalists have the right to do their jobs without fear of government interference,” Schleuss said. “Today’s FBI raid on a journalist’s home is a direct assault on the First Amendment and a threat to every working journalist. Our union strongly condemns the actions by the FBI, who seized property and information from one of our members covering the federal workforce. The NewsGuild-CWA stands with all journalists holding power to account and will continue to fight for a free and independent press.”
The seizure of Natanson’s property comes amid a broader erosion of press freedoms over the past year. The NewsGuild-CWA has joined two lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security following incidents in which federal agents assaulted journalists and peaceful protesters. In September, a federal judge issued an injunction blocking DHS agents from brutalizing journalists, legal observers, and demonstrators.
Labor and press-freedom advocates warn that targeting journalists through raids and seizures threatens not only individual reporters, but the public’s right to know.
The NewsGuild, Dylan Manshack; read more here.