Journalists detained in Alabama town over grand jury report

A newspaper publisher and a reporter from the Atmore News in Alabama have been arrested for publishing an article based on confidential grand jury evidence, a move that press freedom advocates argue is unconstitutional. The publisher and reporter were charged with revealing grand jury proceedings, a felony under Alabama law, and face up to five years in jail. Legal experts argue that while it is illegal for a grand juror or court officer to disclose such proceedings, it is not a crime for a media outlet to publish leaked material obtained legally. The arrests are seen as part of a trend of local prosecutors using warrants and criminal proceedings to harass or pressure journalists, which can have a chilling effect on press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for all charges to be dropped.