[HAL9000]

"As part of our reporting, we needed to verify that the chat room postings were authentic. We were authorized to view them, and it was appropriate to do so under the circumstances."

Of course, it's legal to view public chat room posts - but the Washington Post went way beyond that. The blithely admitted to violating the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act by accessing the private e-mail account of a person who identity is unknown to them. Soon, they'll be telling us that breaking and entering in pursuit of a story is protected under the First Amendment.

Mosk is in legal jeopardy - and if editor Brenner authorized Mosk to do it, he'd better get an attorney too.

[hoosiermama]

The blithely admitted to violating the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act by accessing the private e-mail account of a person who identity is unknown to them. Soon, they'll be telling us that breaking and entering in pursuit of a story is protected under the First Amendment.

Any one have a brief synopsis of what the FECPA contains?

[kristinn]

I think Len Downie, Jr. needs an attorney, also. The initial story in February ran on the front page of The Post and had the potential of harming Gov. Ehrlich. No way he wouldn't be in the loop on this one.