Freedom of the Press

Attorney Gen.: Reporters Can Be Prosecuted

The Attorney General has stated he would prosecute reporters who publish classified information. He stated the government will not hesitate to track and record journalist phone calls.

As Americans we pride ourselves on our freedom of the press, but it is measures like these which make us ranked 41st in the world in the world press freedom index.

Also, the government is raising fines for "indecent" broadcasting.

Congress Agrees to Raise Broadcast-Indecency Fines

More than two years after proclaiming outrage over Janet Jackson's briefly exposed breast during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, both houses of Congress have passed legislation that would significantly increase indecency fines for television and radio broadcasters.

On Thursday night, the Senate unanimously approved a bill that would increase from $32,500 to $325,000 the maximum fine that the Federal Communications Commission could impose for violating its standards for decency. The House previously passed a version that would raise the maximum fine to $500,000.