Why has this story not been picked up on other services? This seems like a huge story.

This is just too much. The abuses of governmental power are mind boggling.
The fact that they are being used against reporters shows that the line about monitoring al queada is no more than a red herring to cover up domestic spying. This is an outrage.

This is so Nixonesque. Worse yet it contains the elements of facism. I would hope the American people would see in this the dangers to journalism and the checks that it serves in an open society. Makes one realize the genius of the founding fathers.

It is better save, than sorry. Who got hurt in secretly obtained phone records deal? Nobody. Let's move on, and allow the government to govern.

Since when is a reporter a terrorist? The government is trying to classify anyone who exposes those government programs that are illegal and unconstitutional as a terrorist or somehow aiding and abetting? BS! Those reporters are doing their public duty by exposing those dirty little secrets that we as citizens have a right to know. The pulitzer prizes were rightly awarded and the government officials should be censored in their attempts to gag the media.

"The FBI says its request for reporters' phone records are made in compliance with the law."

Exactly what law is that? Sounds like the kind of snooping and repression found in the People's Republic of China.

Goodbye US Constitution - the experiment of a free society was fun while it lasted - and look at the bright side - 200 years is not a bad run.

ABC NEWS IS A MOUNTH_PIECE FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND EXTREME LEFT-WING MOVEON.ORG....!!!!!

I am wary of this or future administrations, whether democrat or republican, having this authority. It's only a matter of time until some corrupt official uses these unchecked taps for malicious purposes. The courts should be involved.

Interesting. How do we know that Qwest and Bell South, both of whom claim to have not provided customer pen register information to NSA, weren't served with National Security Letters to compel them to keep quiet about it?

Also, what about oversight? Is there any indication that a judicial review of these letters would be required before prosecution? With this government's use of secret detention and "rendition" prisons on foreign soil, is there any indication that the FBI intends to actually prosecute at all?

Thank goodness the government is keeping up with these terrorists. We haven't had a major attack in 4 years, and with efforts like this, I hope we never have one again. I'm glad to give up a little privacy so that we can stay safe. All of the overzealous civil rights folks need to step back and look at the big picture.

For every good intention there are hundreds of rogue cops that will use this information illegally. Then the courts will rule evidence collected to be legal as "the officer meant well." Check your homes. Make sure there is nothing in it you don't want the FBI to see. Big brother is here! Vote Libertarian!

If reporters are obtaining classified information they should be monitored, and those who are giving them the information should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In case you haven't noticed....We are at war...and we must stop the leaks that are damaging out intel capabilities.

when the next building blows up and thousands are killed everyone will be moaning and crying about how the fbi/government didnt stop the terrorism before it happened. make up your minds do you want security or terroism?

"The abuses of governmental power are mind boggling" - Actually, since in FACT the reporters are publishing SECRET and TOP SECRET information, that they have been TOLD is SECRET and TOP SECRET, they are IN FACT violating National Security, rather than publishing unsubstantiated accounts of secret prisons in Europe (Which no one after 3 independant investigations appears to have found, or found anyone who knows of their existence) or instead of informing the ENEMY ( you know those terrorists ) about methods we are using to track them down, perhaps if they had the best interests of the United States in mind, they would have told someone to stop the damage, but because they could spin these as more 'Bush is Bad' they did everything they could to enforce that perception.

I can't believe my brother is risking his life fighting in Iraq in the name of democracy and we're losing ours.

Our Rights are being hurt by secretly obtained phone records.....or doesn't that matter to you John.....??????

All you IDIOTS who are backyard quarterbacks that really don't have a dman clue what you are criticizing will be the first to whine and cry when you butts get hurt or killed by people that are not thnkful for your bitching but see you as FOOLS as I and other Americans that use our brains to decypher truth and not CNN pukes.

Now we learn the FBI is investigation the Press in the name of fighting terrorism. All of our freedoms are slowly but surely being erroded by this administration. A free press is best and most powerful tool that feedom has in it's defense. It is time that electronic journalism as well as the print begin to live up to it's charge of remaining independent.

There are terrorists around the world and in this country who are ready to really hurt us. So what if a few of them are found by checking them out?

I suspose when we are burying the next victims of a terrorist attack,some of you are going to cry that enough wasn't done to identify them and protect us. Who cares if they check phone records or even compile files? I don't have anything to hide. Do you? The liberal media in this country will be our downfall. The next time you need protection, call one of them.