General NewsKansasKansas state governmentLaw enforcementU.S. News A Conflict Over the 1st Amendment Erupts Between Kansas Police and Small Newspaper Following Newsroom Raid by Madison Thomas August 22, 2023 written by Madison Thomas August 22, 2023 5 comments Bookmark 42 In the heart of Kansas, a clash over the freedom of speech has erupted, as a small newspaper faces challenges in publishing its next issue, after police stormed its office and the residence of its owner and publisher only days ago. The Marion Police Department officials executed a raid on the Marion County Record, confiscating computers and cellphones from the publisher and staff last Friday. Kansas state authorities confirmed on Monday their involvement in a criminal investigation into the newspaper. This stems from accusations that the newspaper unlawfully obtained and utilized personal information about a local business owner. These actions by the police have garnered widespread condemnation from advocates of press freedom, citing an outright infringement on the Constitution’s safeguard for free press in the United States. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly expressed concerns regarding the raids, while the newspaper’s attorney labeled the seizures and searches as unlawful, adding that the police department’s conduct breaches the constitutional protections established for the free press. The Society of Professional Journalists has even committed $20,000 for the legal defense of the newspaper. However, opinions differ in Marion, where some residents accuse the newspaper of forceful coverage that has deterred businesses and portrayed the town of approximately 1,900 inhabitants in an unfavorable light. Publisher and co-owner of the newspaper, Eric Meyer, attributes the aggressive raids to the newspaper’s persistent scrutiny of local politics and Police Chief Gideon Cody’s record. Meyer emphasized that the newspaper was examining the newly hired chief’s history when the raids took place, though a story has not yet been published. Bernie Rhodes, the newspaper’s lawyer, has written to Cody, demanding that the seized computers and cellphones remain unexamined, arguing they were illegally taken and contain confidential sources’ identities. He also leveled accusations at Cody for wrongly interpreting privacy laws and misapplying them to journalists. Rhodes affirmed, “I can assure you that the Record will take every step to obtain relief for the damages your heavy-handed actions have already caused my client.” A local restaurant owner’s complaint seems to have triggered the police searches, while both the newspaper and the complainant have received messages and threats from distant locations like London after the raids. Police Chief Cody upheld the legality of the newsroom raid, contrary to assertions by press freedom and civil rights groups that the police exceeded their jurisdiction. Some Marion residents openly support the police raid, blaming the newspaper for harming local businesses. Jared Smith said, “The newspaper is supposed to be something that, yes, reports the news. But it’s also a community newspaper. It’s not, ‘How can I slam this community and drive people away?’” The public reaction to the raids seems to have caught authorities off guard, with involved agencies either declining to comment or taking careful measures to affirm the right to a free press while defending the ability of police to investigate journalists. While state police emphasized the importance of press freedom as “a vanguard of American democracy,” they also appeared to justify local police actions, stating: “No one is above the law, whether a public official or a representative of the media.” Both parties at the center of the dispute are considering legal actions. Furthermore, Meyer attributes the stress of the raid at his residence to the subsequent death of his 98-year-old mother, the newspaper’s co-owner, on Saturday. The situation remains complex and emblematic of broader debates about the delicate balance between privacy, law enforcement, and the cherished principles of free press in a democratic society. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 1st AmendmentWhat prompted the police raid on the Marion County Record’s office?Who has condemned the raid and how has it been defended?Are there any differing opinions among the local community regarding the raid?What legal actions are being taken in the aftermath of the raids?How did the state police agency respond to the situation?What were the underlying reasons listed in the search warrant for the raids?Has the newspaper continued its operations after the raid?More about 1st Amendment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 1st Amendment What prompted the police raid on the Marion County Record’s office? The police raid was prompted by a criminal probe into allegations that the newspaper illegally obtained and used personal information about a local business owner. Who has condemned the raid and how has it been defended? Press freedom watchdogs have widely condemned the raid as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection for a free press. The newspaper’s attorney deemed the searches and seizures illegal. Police Chief Gideon Cody, however, defended the raid, saying it was conducted legally. Are there any differing opinions among the local community regarding the raid? Yes, while some residents and press freedom advocates have condemned the raid, others in Marion support the police action, accusing the newspaper of aggressive news coverage that negatively impacted local businesses. What legal actions are being taken in the aftermath of the raids? Both the publisher, Eric Meyer, and the complainant, Kari Newell, are contemplating lawsuits. Meyer is considering legal action against the public officials who carried out the search, and Newell against the newspaper. How did the state police agency respond to the situation? The state police agency joined the investigation but seemed to try to distance itself from the raids. While declaring freedom of the press as vital, the agency also appeared to defend local police actions, emphasizing that no one is above the law. What were the underlying reasons listed in the search warrant for the raids? The search warrant names Kari Newell as a victim and lists the underlying reasons for the searches as suspicion of identity theft and “unlawful acts concerning computers.” Has the newspaper continued its operations after the raid? Yes, Editor and Publisher Eric Meyer stated that the newspaper will publish its regular weekly issue despite the raid and seizure of computers and cell phones. More about 1st Amendment First Amendment of the United States Constitution Society of Professional Journalists Kansas Bureau of Investigation Marion County Record You Might Be Interested In Sam Altman is back as OpenAI CEO just days after being removed, along with a new board Argentinian Economic Slump Draws Uruguayan Shoppers, While Local Stores Suffer Lawsuit Demands Over $13 Million from Utah Woman Allegedly Killing Husband and Penning Grief-Themed Book Lawsuit by former dancers accuses Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment Autism and Intellectual Disabilities as Reasons for Euthanasia Raise Concerns in the Netherlands, Researchers Say Live updates: Israel escalates its bombardment in the Gaza Strip 1st Amendmentfreedom of speechGeneral NewsKansasKansas state governmentLaw enforcementlegal disputenewspaperPolice Raidpress freedom Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Madison Thomas Follow Author Madison Thomas is a food journalist who covers the latest news and trends in the world of cuisine. She enjoys exploring new recipes and culinary trends, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors to try. previous post 98-Year-Old Mother of Kansas Newspaper Editor Confronts Police During Raid: Video Released next post State Agency Declares Legal the Initial Online Search Leading to Kansas Newspaper Raid You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 5 comments Lucy in the Sky August 22, 2023 - 5:08 pm it’s always easy to take sides without knowing all the details. Let’s not rush into judgement, law must have its course. Reply Michael_87 August 22, 2023 - 6:56 pm whats the real story here? They cant just raid the newspaper without some serious evidence. Need more info here. Reply John Adams August 23, 2023 - 6:13 am This is realy concerning! What’s going on with freedom of press? Didn’t know things were this bad in Kansas. Reply Samantha P August 23, 2023 - 8:42 am I can’t believe the police raided the publisher’s home too, that seems too much to me. Where’s the line. Reply David Thompson August 23, 2023 - 12:32 pm The 1st Amendment should protect newspapers from this. But if they were doing something illegal, they should be investigated. Balancing act, I guess. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ