AG Holder to meet news media chiefs in review of subpoena policy

Attorney General Eric Holder is planning to meet with the Washington (DC) bureau chiefs of major news outlets this week as he reviews the Justice Department’s (DOJ) policies for issuing media subpoenas.

The meetings over the next two days will initiate more lengthy discussions in the coming weeks with representatives from print, radio, television, wire, and online news groups and trade associations, according to a DOJ official. President Barack Obama directed AG Holder to review the department’s media subpoena policies last week after a firestorm of criticism erupted from news organizations and lawmakers over the DOJ’s handling of two separate leaks investigations. A DOJ official, speaking on background, said that Holder’s review is an attempt to ensure First Amendment rights are respected by the department and that it would include conversations with news media executives and general counsels in addition to government intelligence and investigative experts.