DOJ Surveillance of AP Phones Part of an Unprecedented Crackdown on News Leaks

Transparently control-freaky

The AP said authorities appeared to have sought out the records as part of a criminal investigation into leaked information contained in a May 2012 AP story about a foiled terror plot.

The administration of President Barack Obama had already gained a reputation for prosecuting officials who leak information to reporters.

According to the non-profit investigative group Pro Publica, the Obama administration brought six cases under the Espionage Act, which dates from World War I, more than any other president.

That includes the case against Bradley Manning and WikiLeaks, which is being led by the military.