The Justice Department has subpoenaed the records of freelance journalist Matthew Cole, who writes for The New York Times, as part of an investigation into a 2019 story about a botched U.S. military operation in North Korea. The subpoena seeks notes and testimony from Cole.
The subpoena raises concerns about government efforts to obtain journalists' records and sources, potentially impacting press freedom and the public's access to information.
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the records of Matthew Cole, a freelance journalist for The New York Times, as part of an investigation into the sourcing of a 2019 story about a botched U.S. military operation in North Korea. The subpoena, issued in February, seeks more than two years' worth of Cole's notes and his testimony.
The story, co-written by Cole, detailed an incident in early 2019 where Navy SEALs reportedly killed several unarmed North Koreans during a mission to plant a listening device near the country's coast. The report cited two dozen unnamed sources.
A spokesperson for The New York Times, Charlie Stadtlander, stated that the newspaper supports Cole's decision to make the subpoena public, which the government had attempted to keep secret. Stadtlander characterized the demand for sources as "another brazen and illegal attack from the administration designed to deny the public information of vital importance."
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New York Times is reportedly covering Cole's legal expenses. His attorney, David A. O'Neil, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.