Open government advocates say probe in Trenton shooting ‘leak’ could hurt transparency

Open government and journalism advocates said a decision from the New Jersey branch of the American Civil Liberties Union to ask for an investigation into so-called police leaks of a Trenton teen’s juvenile records could hamper local newspapers’ future reporting efforts and impact their ability to serve as watchdogs.

“Whenever there is an investigation into a quote-unquote leak to a reporter or news organization, it’s problematic and always presents First Amendment concerns,” said Katie Townsend, litigation director for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, D.C.  Continue…

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