A Dangerous New Attack on Press Freedom

petethomas 16 points 3 comments May 08, 2026
www.theatlantic.com · View on Hacker News

Discussion Highlights (3 comments)

WarOnPrivacy

https://archive.fo/oS8Dn

WarOnPrivacy

The FBI has deployed US Gov's revenge machine against a journalist who embarrassed the FBI dir. the FBI has opened a criminal investigation focusing on Atlantic journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, related to an article she published last month about Director Kash Patel. This follows the earlier vindication campaign, personally launched by the FBI director. Patel filed a lawsuit against Fitzpatrick and The Atlantic following the story’s publication, alleging defamation and demanding $250 million. Filing a flimsy civil lawsuit as a private citizen is Patel’s right, though it is also plainly an inappropriate attempt to smother unflattering reporting. But if Patel’s bureau has launched a criminal investigation into a reporter, employing the power of the federal government, that would be a significant escalation. IMO, the phrase 'significant escalation' severely undersells these unethical abuses by the FBI dir. This is a Hoover-esque misuse of power.

gnabgib

Discussion yesterday (52 points, 26 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48037332

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