Press freedom group rips Trump for suggesting Comey jail reporters – The Hill

A press freedom advocacy group is speaking out on reports that President Trump asked former FBI Director James Comey to consider jailing journalists, saying the comments "cross a dangerous line."

The comments attributed to President Trump cross a dangerous line. But no president gets to jail journalists, Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said in astatementTuesday.

Reporters are protected by judges and juries, by a congress that relies on them to stay informed, and by a Justice Department that for decades has honored the role of a free press by spurning prosecutions of journalists for publishing leaks of classified information.

A bombshellNew York Times report published Tuesdayrevealed that in a February conversation in the Oval Office, Trump asked Comey about jailing reporters who leaked classified information.

The report also included that Trump asked Comey to end the federal probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Brown said the comments like the ones reportedly by Trump remind us that every day public servants are reaching out to reporters to ensure the public is aware of the risks today to rule of law in this country.

He added the comments should not intimidate the press but inspire it."

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Press freedom group rips Trump for suggesting Comey jail reporters - The Hill