NewsMine — propoganda — state-control — Viewing Item

Baltimore sun lawsuit against gov ehrlich { February 14 2005 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23346-2005Feb14.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23346-2005Feb14.html Baltimore Sun's Lawsuit Against Gov. Ehrlich Dismissed Editor Calls Ruling 'Scary', Says Paper Plans to Appeal By Wiley Hall Associated Press Monday, February 14, 2005; 3:01 PM BALTIMORE -- A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Robert Ehrlich's order barring state employees from contact with two writers from the Baltimore Sun. U.S. District Court Judge William Quarles ruled the newspaper was seeking more access to government officials than that accorded a private citizen. "The right to publish news is expansive. However, the right does not carry with it the unrestrained right to gather information," said the judge in his order. "The Sun seeks the declaration of a constitutional right that neither the Supreme Court nor the Fourth Circuit has recognized," Quarles said later in the eight-page order. Sun editor Tim Franklin said the ruling was "scary." "If any citizen was not paying attention before, I hope they're paying attention now," Franklin said. "Essentially, what the court is saying is that it's OK for a politician to create an enemies list." Franklin said the paper was preparing an appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and would seek an expedited hearing. "We're going to fight this," Franklin told The Associated Press. "It's not only unconstitutional, it's undemocratic." Ehrlich, at an event in suburban Washington, said he would not comment on the dismissal until he can review the court decision. Ehrlich issued the order last fall, barring state employees from talking to the Sun's State House bureau chief David Nitkin and columnist Michael Olesker. "Effective immediately, no one in the Executive Department or Agencies is to speak with David Nitkin or Michael Olesker until further notice," said the e-mail to approximately 225 government officials, which was quoted in Quarles' order. "Do not return calls or comply with any requests. The Governor's Press Office feels that currently both are failing to objectively report on any issue dealing with the Ehrlich-Steele Administration. Please relay this information to your respective department heads ..." In December, the Sun filed suit in federal court, asking that the order be lifted because it violated the First Amendment rights of the two journalists by denying them the same opportunities to seek information as other news organizations and citizens. The newspaper subsequently asked Quarles for a preliminary injunction to lift the ban while the newspaper's case against the governor proceeded. The state had asked for the case to be immediately dismissed. In his decision Monday, Quarles said the Sun could not demonstrate irreparable harm or the likelihood of success in the case on its merits.

Administration paid commentator to promote nclb { January 8 2005 } All the presidents newsmen { January 16 2005 } Arnold press videos aired as news { March 14 2005 } Baltimore sun lawsuit against gov ehrlich { February 14 2005 } Blair attacks bbc for not supporting bush { September 18 2005 } Bush audiences screened hand picked { March 31 2005 } Bush conversation with troops staged Bush orders end to hiring columnists Bush paid columnist gets radio show { March 3 2005 } Bushs loyal reporters team { February 18 2005 } Colbert said press tool of whitehouse Ehrlich allowed to deny press access { February 14 2005 } Fed education violated propaganda ban { September 30 2005 } House passes steeper indecency fines { February 16 2005 } Judith was government stooge journalist { October 17 2005 } More quran abuse despite newsweek retraction { May 26 2005 } New cbs boss is bush supporter { October 27 2005 } No media coverage for return coffins { October 21 2003 } Packaged bush videos used as news { March 13 2005 } Pbs takes bush officials for pro republican change { May 2 2005 } Republican chairman of pbs pushes conservative programs { May 12 2005 } Republican used political tests for pbs hires Senate may ban releases that imitate news Stop government propoganda act { January 27 2005 } US agency gives fake news conference Washington post withholds news at request of pentagon { November 2 2005 } White house criticizes newsweek report causing afghan incident { May 16 2005 } White house told journalists how to response to 911 { October 9 2006 } Writer backing bush plan had federal contract { January 26 2005 } Files Listed: 29

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.