Dozens of news organizations have condemned a police raid that took
place at a local newspaper in Marion Kansas on Friday,
a four page letter sent to Marion police chief and signed by 34
news and press freedom groups called for the return of seized computers,
cell phones and reporting
taken when police raided the Marion County records office.
The letter stated, quote,
newsroom searches and seizures are among the most
intrusive actions law enforcement can take with respect to
the free press and the most potentially suppressive of
free speech by the press and the public.
The news and press freedom groups included the associated press CNN,
the New York Times and many others.
The paper's co owner says the raid was prompted by
a story published last week about a local business owner.
Police are investigating identify theft and unlawful acts concerning computers.
That's according to the search warrant.