Journalists Decry Ashcroft's Closed Door Speeches - October 6, 2003 Vol.4 No.20

October 6, 2003 Vol.4 No.20:

Published: 10/06/2003

Printable Version
Email to a Friend

Journalists Decry Ashcroft's Closed Door Speeches

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has limited his exposure to journalists' questions during his around-the-country speaking tour to respond to growing public concerns about the Patriot Act.

While the American Civil Liberties Union and American Library Association have been singled out by Mr. Ashcroft and the Justice Department for criticizing the excessive secrecy and overly broad powers of the Patriot Act (see related story, "Ashcroft declassifies use of a Patriot Act power"), journalists also are expressing increased concerns about government powers expanded under the Patriot Act.

On September 13, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sent a letter, to Mr. Ashcroft asking that he make himself more available to the press. SPJ noted that Mr. Ashcroft was granting interviews at his speaking events only to local broadcast journalists. Within days of the letter, Ashcroft responded with a "slight change of heart" and allowed print reporters five minutes to ask questions, according to SPJ.