Gizmodo Raid Now Media Case

The Associated Press and other news organizations are seeking to unseal the search warrant affidavit used to raid the home of a technology blogger who posted pictures and details of a lost Apple iPhone prototype.
     
Court documents listing the legal reasons for raids usually are made public within 10 days, but the affidavit supporting the April 23 raid of Gizmodo.com editor Jason Chen's house and car remains sealed.
     
Joining in the court filing are Bloomberg News, CNET News, Los Angeles Times, Wired.com, California Newspaper Publishers Association and First Amendment Coalition.

Last month investigators came to Chen's Fremont home armed with a search warrant.  They took computers, hard drives, digital cameras and cell phones. They also took Jason Chen's American Express bill and copies of his checks.  Chen was not arrested.

Gawker Media, who owns Gizmodo, claims California's Shield Law protects Chen from having to turn over anonymous sources or unpublished material.  They say the law should apply in this case.

The media group argues that unsealing the affidavit will help determine whether the raid was appropriate.

California law protects journalists from having to turn over anonymous sources or unpublished material during a search.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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