A Kansas newspaper, the Marion County Record, linked the death of its co-owner, Joan Meyer, 98, to a recent police raid on the newspaper's office. "98-year-old newspaper co-owner Joan Meyer, otherwise in good health for her age, collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at home," explained the local newspaper, whose offices were raided by county police as part of an investigation. This was written in the paper's article titled: "Illegal raid contributes to death of newspaper owner."
Over the weekend, there was a controversial raid on the paper's offices by the Marion Police Department. Despite Marion County Record editor Eric Meyer's insistence that the proceedings are politically motivated, Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody explained that this was a legal measure. "I believe when the rest of the story is available to the public, the judicial system that is being questioned will be vindicated,” Chief Cody told CNN in a statement. "I appreciate all the assistance from all the state and local investigators along with the entire judicial process thus far," said Cody during a conversation with CNN.
Authorities responded that they are investigating what they called "identity theft," according to CNN. It was also learned that it could be a case linked to a dispute between the newspaper and Kari Newell, the owner of a local restaurant. Newell accuses the newspaper of invading her privacy and illegally accessing information about her and her driving record. The newspaper accessed a report that Newell allegedly drove a vehicle without a valid license after a traffic violation in 2008.
Newell contends that the newspaper took this position against her after she asked Meyer and a reporter from the restaurant to leave during a political event, on the grounds that the newspaper does not provide truthful information.
CNN reported that it contacted authorities and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation confirmed the procedure. "The Marion Police Department and the Marion County Attorney asked the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to join an investigation into the illegal access and dissemination of confidential criminal justice information," Kansas Bureau of Investigation communications director Melissa Underwood told CNN.
Meanwhile, Meyer insists that the raid was prompted by a story he recently published. "What I want is, I don’t want anybody else to have this happen to them. We’re going to pursue this to the full extent that we’re allowed to by law and hopefully, that may result in some changes in personnel have been involved in this," he said.
First Amendment violation
Several people argue that the raid is a violation of the First Amendment. In fact, the Freedom of the Press Foundation criticized the raid. "Based on the reporting so far, the police raid of the Marion County Record on Friday appears to have violated federal law, the First Amendment, and basic human decency. Everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves," said Seth Stern, director of the organization.
Read our full statement on the alarming police raid of Kansas newspaper @marionrecord https://t.co/0OxnJBiKSq
— Freedom of the Press (@FreedomofPress) August 12, 2023
Stern advocated that Marion County Record sue over the situation:
This looks like the latest example of American law enforcement officers treating the press in a manner previously associated with authoritarian regimes. The anti-press rhetoric that’s become so pervasive in this country has become more than just talk and is creating a dangerous environment for journalists trying to do their jobs.
