Esteban Escobar Hot 500 Yahoo! Contributor for the Month of March 2012

Congratulations to our Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban Escobar aka Steven Escobar for been one of the Hot 500 contributors during the month of March 2012 of Yahoo! Contributor Network.

His articles, photos and videos are published on Voices.Yahoo.com

Please read email
From: Yahoo! Contributor Network
Sent: 04/03/2012 10:40AM

Thanks to your hard work, the heat was on full blast last month!

If you haven’t noticed already, your profile is SIZZLING because you’re one of our “Hot 500″ contributors based on March 2012 page views!

Throughout the month of April, your profile will feature a red hot badge. This achievement is based on the page views you earned on content published across the Yahoo! network. Hot badges are updated once per month based on the previous month’s views. Read more about it on our badges page.

Don’t drop the torch! Keep leading the charge by continuing to publish and promote lots of compelling and insightful content. For more tips and resources on how you can better optimize your content for the web, check out the Yahoo! Style Guide.

Stay warm and happy publishing!
YCN Community Team

You can follow, share, comment and subscribe to Esteban Escobar Yahoo Voices page at http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1035904/diversitynews.html

Read more about

Yahoo! Contributor Network Badges

Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador, Central America on September 6th) is an American (Journalist, reporter, editor, columnist, writer, producer, director, publicist, radio personality, accounts receivable specialist and philanthropist). Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online & special print consumer news magazine that is visited by close to two million visitors a month while growing each day. Esteban “Steven” Escobar is also Producer, Director of Diversity News TV, the host of Diversity News Radio, on Air with Steven Escobar and the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment multimedia firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Family of Companies.
Steven Escobar is also the official Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Yahoo Voices. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 to the present, he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. Also in 2011 Steven Escobar raised money and awareness for The Life Group LA and volunteered for Exotifit For Humanity and The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee.
Steven was nominated for The Shorty Awards 2011 and the People’s Choice Fan Award 2012. In 2012 Steven Escobar receives the Humanitarian Award at the 2012 International Noble Awards. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visit http://www.stevenescobar.diversitynewspublications.com, http://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com or his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/

Editor’s Note: We want to congratulate Esteban Escobar for his contributions Yahoo Voices of the Yahoo Contributor Network. We are so proud of his accomplishments.

Esteban Escobar Trophy Case and Earned Achievements badges on Examiner.com

Congratulations to our Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban Escobar aka Steven Escobar for his Trophy Case and Earned Achievements badges on Examiner.com

His articles, photos and videos are published on Hollywood Events Examiner and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com pages.

Remember to Like, Share, Tweet, Subscribe and Comment on his articles at http://www.examiner.com/events-in-los-angeles/esteban-escobar and http://www.examiner.com/events-in-los-angeles/esteban-escobar-1

As you may see all the badges were earned during March and April 2012 and they have a reason why he earned them.

About Esteban “Steven” Escobar:
Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador, Central America on September 6th) is an American (Journalist, reporter, editor, columnist, writer, producer, director, publicist, radio personality, accounts receivable specialist and philanthropist). Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online & special print consumer news magazine that is visited by close to two million visitors a month while growing each day. Esteban “Steven” Escobar is also Producer, Director of Diversity News TV, the host of Diversity News Radio, on Air with Steven Escobar and the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment multimedia firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Family of Companies.
Steven Escobar is also the official Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Yahoo Voices. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 to the present, he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. Also in 2011 Steven Escobar raised money and awareness for The Life Group LA and volunteered for Exotifit For Humanity and The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee.
Steven was nominated for The Shorty Awards 2011 and the People’s Choice Fan Award 2012. In 2012 Steven Escobar receives the Humanitarian Award at the 2012 International Noble Awards. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visithttp://www.stevenescobar.diversitynewspublications.com, http://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com or his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/

Contributor Writers, Reporters, Correspondents and Photographers Wanted

Diversity News Magazine, an award winning consumer news magazine covering News, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Awards, Movies, Concerts, Sports, Red Carpet Events and much more is looking for Contributor Writers, Reporters, Correspondents and Photographers.

In 2011 Diversity News Magazine reached over 19.5 million readers, views, and hits by the end of the year. Now is reaching an average of 2.5 millions per month. Diversity News Magazine is also partner with NBC Universal and ABC Television.

The Contributor Writers, Reporters, Correspondents and Photographers will be covering local, state, national and international news and entertainment events, including breaking news.

Any one interested must email links of published stories, a headshot, resume and short bio to: editor@diversitynewsmagazine.com

It is very important the all applicants must write as 3rd person and to remember that this is an access, credit and byline opportunity only (Please see flyer for more information).

Here are some STATICS about our media coverage:
Diversity News Magazine
The reports starts from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Also, demographic data shows that the top 25 countries that are reading our magazine are: 1. USA, 2. Canada, 3. United Kingdom, 4. India, 5. Philippines, 6. Australia, 7. France, 8. Germany, 9. Brazil, 10. Ireland, 11. Malaysia, 12. Mexico, 13. Italy, 14. Turkey, 15. Netherlands, 16. Indonesia, 17. Spain, 18. Thailand, 19. Russia, 20. Pakistan, 21. Poland, 22. Japan, 23. Greece, 24. Romania and 25. Singapore.

As of 12-31-2011, Diversity News Magazine has reached close to 19.5 million readers, views, and hits per the entire year with the help of the top 25 referring sites like: 1. Google.com, 2. Facebook.com, 3. Yahoo.com, 4. Stumbleupon.com, 5. Linkedin.com, 6. Bing.com, 7. AOL.com, 8. Current.com, 9. YouTube.com, 10. DiversityNewsPublications.com, 11. Examiner.com, 12. Zimbio.com, 13. Laspotlight.net, 14. Digg.com, 15. Imdb.com, 16. Stevenescobar.blogspot.com, 17. Ripoffreport.com, 18. 700radio.blogspot.com, 19. aidswalk.net, 20. thebiznessmagazine.org, 21. christinedevine.com, 22. thewtv.com, 23. westhollywood.patch.com, 24. twitter.com and 25. eeriedigest.com
Read more at http://diversitynewsmagazine.com/2012/01/diversity-news-magazine-year-in-review-top-11-stories-of-2011/

Diversity News Publications
The reports starts from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Also, demographic data shows that the top 25 countries that are reading our magazine are: 1. USA, 2. United Kingdom, 3. Canada, 4. Brazil, 5. Australia, 6. Germany, 7. France, 8. Philippines, 9. India, 10. Netherlands, 11. Italy, 12. Mexico, 13. Russia, 14. Spain, 15. Poland, 16. Indonesia, 17. Thailand, 18. Ukraine, 19. Malaysia, 20. Turkey, 21. Belgium, 22. Sweden, 23. Ireland, 24. Romania and 25. Portugal.
As of 12-31-2011, Diversity News Publications has reached close to 21.5 million readers,views, and hits per the entire year with the help of the top 25 referring sites like: 1. Google.com, 2. Facebook.com, 3. Yahoo.com, 4. Bing.com, 5. Stumbleupon.com, 6. Current.com, 7. Linkedin.com, 8. Aol.com, 9. Twitter.com, 10. Ask.com, 11. Huffingtonpost.com, 12. Wikipedia.org, 13. YouTube.com, 14. Mywebsearch.com, 15. Examiner.com, 16. Diversitynewsmagazine.com, 17. Adamtopia.com, 18. Fiveminutephotos.wordpress.com, 19. Estergoldberg.com, 20. Philjones2.wordpress.com, 21. Diversitynewshollywood.blogspot.com, 22. Fyentertainment.livejournal.com, 23. Actorsreporter.com, 24. Digg.com and 25. Khitschicago.radio.com
Read more at http://diversitynewspublications.com/2012/01/diversity-news-publications-presents-year-in-review-top-11-stories-of-2011/

About Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban “Steven” Escobar: Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador, Central America on September 6th) is an American journalist, reporter, editor, columnist, writer, producer, director, publicist and philantropist. Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online consumer news magazine that is visited by more than a million visitors per month while growing each day. Esteban Steven Escobar is also the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment multimedia and public relations firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar is also the director and producer of Diversity News TV from Diversity News Productions. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Family of Companies. Steven Escobar is also the official Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Yahoo Voices. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 to the present, he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. In 2011, Steven was nominated for The Shorty Awards. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visit http://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com/ or http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/

About Diversity News Magazine: Is an award winning consumer news magazine covering News, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Awards, Movies, Concerts, Sports, Red Carpet Events and much more.  It is another venue for advertisers to advertise their products or services on the Classified and Display pages. The purpose of the magazine is to educate and inform its diverse community world wide and focusing on local, national, and international News, Entertainment, Features, Sports and, more importantly, newsworthy items that would be of interest to our audience. In 2009, Diversity News was nominated for The Wake Up Award, The WEHO Awards and on April 2011 received Exoti Media Award. For more information visit http://www.diversitynewsmagazine.com/

About Diversity News Publications: Founded in 2003 Diversity News Publications, is a news/entertainment multimedia and public relations firm specialized in Advertising, Design, Marketing, Printing & Public Relations services who combines all sources in one. Diversity News Publications is the publisher of Diversity News Magazine and owns Diversity News TV, Diversity News Radio, Diversity News Productions and many more. For more information visit http://www.diversitynewspublications.com and www.diversitynewspublications.blogspot.com/

Diversity News Publications Join Millions of Americans to oppose SOPA and PIPA bills

On Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Diversity News Magazine, an online and print consumer news magazine published by Diversity News Publications & Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban “Steven” Escobar announced that they are on strike today to fight SOPA and PIPA.

They join Millions of Americans to oppose SOPA and PIPA bills. Also Diversity News Magazine website on strike today to fight SOPA and PIPA.

More about SOPA and PIPA

Members of Congress are trying to do the right thing by going after pirates and counterfeiters but SOPA and PIPA are the wrong way to do it.

1. SOPA and PIPA would censor the Web

The U.S. government could order the blocking of sites using methods similar to those employed by China. Among other things, search engines could be forced to delete entire websites from their search results. That’s why 41 human rights organizations and 110 prominent law professors have expressed grave concerns about the bills.

2. SOPA and PIPA would be job-killers because they would create a new era of uncertainty for American business

Law-abiding U.S. internet companies would have to monitor everything users link to or upload or face the risk of time-consuming litigation. That’s why AOL, EBay, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Twitter, Yahoo and Zynga wrote a letter to Congress saying these bills “pose a serious risk to our industry’s continued track record of innovation and job-creation.” It’s also why 55 of America’s most successful venture capitalists expressed concern that PIPA “would stifle investment in Internet services, throttle innovation, and hurt American competitiveness”. More than 204 entrepreneurs told Congress that PIPA and SOPA would “hurt economic growth and chill innovation”.

3. SOPA and PIPA wouldn’t stop piracy

To make matters worse, SOPA and PIPA won’t even work. The censorship regulations written into these bills won’t shut down pirate sites. These sites will just change their addresses and continue their criminal activities, while law-abiding companies will suffer high penalties for breaches they can’t possibly control.

There are effective ways to combat foreign “rogue” websites dedicated to copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting, while preserving the innovation and dynamism that have made the Internet such an important driver of American economic growth and job creation. Congress should consider alternatives like the OPEN Act, which takes targeted and focused steps to cut off the money supply from foreign pirate sites without making US companies censor the Web.
If these bills pass, one infringement would be enough for a copyright holder to file to take down an entire website. YouTube could disappear overnight. Same with Vimeo, Flickr, Twitter, or even WonderHowTo. Enacting such a draconian law would stifle innovation from new web startups. It would be too risky to create a website where people could submit their own whatever. Even the White House has spoken out about its concerns, emphasizing that they “will not support” any bill “that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.”

Sources: Google, http://www.businessinsider.com
Video courtesy of YouTube.com/EngineAdvocacy

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of LA Welcomes Diversity News Publications as Media Partners

We are happy to finally share with all you the news about our professional affiliation with The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of LA.

Diversity News Publications, publisher of Diversity News Magazine and other online blogs, including Diversity News Radio, an online radio show, Diversity News TV on Blip TV and YouTube Channels announced on January 17, 2012 that on August 13, 2011 The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, formerly Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Fernando Valley announced that they officially welcomes Esteban Escobar a.ka. Steven Escobar, President/CEO and Executive Editor-In-Chief of the Diversity News Magazine, Host of Diversity News Radio, Producer and Director of Diversity News TV on Blip TV and YouTube Channels and president of Diversity News Publications as one of their Media Partners.

“Steven Escobar is very passionate and dedicated on his work and has received prestigious awards. FACC- LA is proud to be partners with him and to be working closely him on their upcoming events and functions.” said Mary Ann Omega, Vice President, The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce LA.

“Congratulations to Steven Escobar, Editor-In-Chief, and Diversity News Magazine for becoming a new member and media partner of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles of the San Fernando Valley. I know from personal experience that both the Filipino Community and Steven along with Diversity News Magazine work hard at contributing to the growth of the business community in the greater Los Angeles areas. Congratulations again on what I know will be a prosperous relationship.  Best wishes and much success.” said Dr. Mark Valinsky, president of Valinsky Media Group.

About The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of LA:
FACC- LA is dedicated to establish and uphold itself as the primary advocate, voice, and resource for business organizations not only in the San Fernando Valley but in the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as its neighboring cities and communities. For more information, visit http://www.facc-sfv.org

Merry Christmas and A Prosperous New Year 2012 from The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies

The entire management team and staff at Diversity News Publications, Diversity News Magazine, Esteban Steven Escobar, Diversity News TV, Diversity News Hollywood, Diversity News Los Angeles, Diversity News Online and Diversity News Radio from The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies wants to wish you and your love ones a Merry Christmas and A Prosperous New Year 2012.

Please take a moment to read what really Christmas and New Year Day is.

What is Christmas?
Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, literally “Christ‘smass“) is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ,^[5][6] celebrated generally on December 25^[2][3][4] as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes theAdvent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide.^[7] Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations,^[8][9][10] is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians,^[1][11][12] and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.

The popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins.^[19] Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.^[20] Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

CLICK TO VIEW AND ORDER YOUR OWN SPECIAL PRINT EDITION OF OUR MAGAZINE AT:

 

What is New Year’s Day:
New Year’s Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome. With most countries using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, New Year’s Day is the closest thing to being the world’s only truly global public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnightas the new year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that date that followers of some of the Eastern Orthodoxchurches celebrate the New Year.

Source: Wikipedia

The Power of Diversity News TV’s Youtube & Blip TV Channels

On Saturday, November 12, 2011 Diversity News TV from our own Diversity News Productions/Publications released the following statistics of how powerful and influential Diversity News TV’s  have become. With the leadership of Esteban Steven Escobar in Diversity News TV and other of our divisions and companies we can say we are proud of his accomplishments with our firms.

About Diversity News TV: It is a news/entertainment media outlet owned and operated by Diversity News Productions/Publications. It cover news events, music concerts, award shows, feature interviews, breaking news, press conferences, fashion shows, red carpet premier, special events, red carpet interviews, feature sponsors and clients and current events.

Diversity News TV also received footage from other media companies for distribution in our channels. (If you looking to reach more audience, please contact us for rates and terms).

We are proud to share with the you the information and remember that do not underestimate the power of the media/press.

Our Diversity News TV Channels:
On YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/diversitynews

 

http://www.youtube.com/diversitynewstv

On Blip TV
http://blip.tv/diversity-news-tv

On Vimeo
http://www.vimeo.com/diversitynews

On USTream TV
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/diversitynewstv

On Stickam
http://www.stickam.com/diversitynewspublications

Our Official Blog
http://www.diversitynewstv.blogspot.com/

Diversity News TV Facts – Effective November 12, 2011: 

• Joined YouTube Since Mar 8, 2008
• Channel Views:23,167
• Total Upload Views:1,180,359
• Subscribers (407)
• Friends (1611)
• Channel Comments (146)
• 922 videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/diversitynews

YouTube Partner and Blip TV

Production Cast/Crew:

Executive Director and Producer: Esteban Steven Escobar

Camera/Editor: Steven Escobar

Our Special Hosts:

• Recording Artist FAWN
• Actor Proudcer Dr. Mark Valinsky
• Actress CC Perkinson
• Actress Thushari Jayasekera
• Harrison Held
• Steven Escobar – Alternative

Advertise in our channel, sponsor our channel and promote your image, brand or products. Call us for a quote or more information at (213) 321-9408 or at info@diversitynewspublications.com or diversitynewspublications@hotmail.com

Remember that if you looking to reach more audience, please contact us for rates and terms.

Diversity News Magazine, published by Diversity News Publications Joins LA Spotlight.net

Hollywood, CA — On Saturday, August 6, 2011 World Wide Vital Marketing & Public Relations Inc. announced that Diversity News Magazine, published by Diversity News Publications have joined LA Spotlight.net

“I am very excited and honored to be contacted by Mr. Ori Simon, CEO/President of the LASpotlight.net to be part of online and networking site.” said Esteban “Steven” Escobar, Executive Editor-In-Chief.


Diversity News Magazine have been making media partnerships with all kinds of outlets and they do not consider any one competition because every media outlet have enough readers to serve to provide services including advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
“I hope this networking media partnership will help and benefit both publications to reach our specific markets.” concluded Mr. Escobar.
To read our recent article published on Diversity News Magazine about LA Spotlight.net visit
http://diversitynewsmagazine.com/2011/08/social-an…

About Diversity News Magazine: Is a consumer news magazine covering news, entertainment, features, awards, sports, events and much more. It is another venue for advertisers to advertise their products or services on the classified and display pages. The purpose of the magazine is to educate and inform the diverse community worldwide. It focuses on local, national and international news, entertainment, features, sports and more importantly newsworthy items that would be of interest to our diverse cultures. For more information visithttp://www.diversitynewsmagazine.com/

About Esteban “Steven” Escobar: Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador on September 6th) is an American Journalist, Reporter, Editor, Columnist, Writer, Publicist and Philanthropist. Also he has over 10 years experience in Healthcare Finance as Account Receivables Specialist. Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online consumer news magazine that is visited by more than half a million visitors per month and growing each day. Esteban Steven Escobar is also the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment media and public relations firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar is in charge of Diversity News TV and is also the host of his own radio show named Diversity News Radio, On AIR with Steven Escobar. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Family of Companies. Steven Escobar is also the Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Associated Content. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. In 2011 he joined Saddle UP LA benefiting The Life Group LA and Exotifit For Humanity. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visithttp://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com/ or http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/


About Diversity News Publications: Founded in 2003, Diversity News Publications is a news/entertainment media and public relations firm specializing in advertising, design, marketing, printing and public relations services, combining all sources in one. For more information visit http://www.diversitynewspublications.com

James Risen, New York Times reporter subpoenaed by U.S. government

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press reported that the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena yesterday for the testimony of a New York Times reporter in the trial of Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA operations officer accused of leaking classified information, highlighting a trend of government attempts to use journalists’ testimony in cases against government employees who reveal government information in exchange for anonymity.

Federal prosecutors also filed a motion late Monday in support of the subpoena, anticipating that Pulitzer Prize-winner James Risen would seek to have the subpoena quashed. “His testimony is directly relevant to, and powerful evidence of, facts that are squarely at issue in this trial — including the identity of the perpetrator,” the motion says.


In December 2010, a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., indicted Sterling of O’Fallon, Mo., on 10 counts, including unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and obstruction of justice. The government had issued a subpoena for Risen’s testimony in that proceeding, but the trial judge granted his motion to quash without providing an explanation. A 2008 attempt to require Risen to testify before a previous grand jury investigating Sterling failed when that grand jury expired while Risen’s motion to quash the subpoena was pending.

Procedurally, the government’s decision to compel Risen’s testimony by filing a motion in limine — a tool generally used to focus the evidence to be used at trial — along with a subpoena is unusual. Department of Justice spokeswoman Laura Sweeney could not be reached for comment on the move.

Sterling is accused of giving Risen national security information under the condition of anonymity to be published in newspaper articles and Risen’s 2006 book “State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration.”

Risen’s lawyer, Joel Kurtzberg, confirmed to The Associated Press that Risen will ask a judge to quash the subpoena.

Sterling, who worked at the CIA from 1993 to 2002, had conflicts with the agency, including the filing of a racial discrimination complaint. The indictment alleges these issues served as his motivation for leaking the information.


In its motion, the U.S. government argues that Risen is an eyewitness to the alleged crimes, and no federal law exists that exempts a reporter from his or her obligation to testy.

“The question here, therefore, is not whether the testimony is probative of factual issues that will be before the jury, but whether there exists a reporter’s privilege — either under the First Amendment or common law — that exempts this eyewitness from being called, like any other citizen, to provide relevant facts under oath to the jury . . . the answer is no,” the government lawyers said in the brief.

Indeed, although 40 states and the District of Columbia have shield laws that exempt journalists from having to reveal their confidential sources, there is no such statute at the federal level. However, some federal courts have interpreted the Supreme Court’s 1972Branzburg v. Hayes decision as providing a qualified privilege protecting reporters against compelled disclosure of anonymous sources, especially in civil cases.

According to the motion, the government is also seeking non-confidential information from Risen that would not require revealing his source’s identity, including establishing venue for certain counts, authenticating his book, and providing “necessary foundation to admit the defendant’s statements in the book.” However, many federal courts extend the First Amendment-based reporter’s privilege to unpublished, non-confidential information obtained while newsgathering.


Risen and other reporters have relied on the reporter’s privilege before to avoid giving up source names. He and four other reporters were held in contempt of court in 2004 for refusing to reveal confidential sources in a lawsuit against the government brought by former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee. In that case, a judge ordered a fine of $500 per day until they complied with the order. The five news organizations involved – The New York Times, ABC News, The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post — eventually agreed to pay an unprecedented $750,000 as its share of a settlement in exchange for getting the contempt charges dropped.

The case against Sterling represents a trend of the Department of Justice filing criminal charges against those who leak government secrets. Sterling is the fifth known leaker prosecuted by the Obama administration.

Among them is former National Security Agency official Thomas Drake, who faces a 10-count indictment after allegedly leaking government secrets to an unnamed reporter and then reportedly later lying about doing so. The reporter is believed to be Siobhan Gorman, then of the The Baltimore Sun, who wrote a series of articles about problems at the National Security Agency. Drake is scheduled to stand trial in Baltimore on June 13.



The other alleged leakers prosecuted by the Obama administration are: Stephen Kim, a former Department of State analyst who allegedly leaked an intelligence report to an unidentified reporter; Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army private alleged to have leaked classified information to WikiLeaks; and Shamai Leibowitz, a former FBI linguist who was convicted in May 2010 of charges related to the leaking of classified information to an unidentified blogger and sentenced to 20 months in prison.

About James Risen:
James Risen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist for The New York Times who worked previously for the Los Angeles Times. He has written or co-written many articles concerning U.S. government activities and is the author or co-author of two books about the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and a book about the American public debate about abortion.

Sources: http://www.rcfp.org & Wikipedia

San Diego County DA Bonnie Dumanis Suing former CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011 San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced that her office has filed a civil lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court, seeking to nullify the Governor’s commutation of Esteban Nunez’ prison sentence.  The lawsuit is believed to be the first-of-its kind in the nation filed by a District Attorney on behalf of the victims.

Nunez pled guilty to three felony charges in connection with his role in the assault on four young men, including Luis Santos who died as a result of the attack.  Nunez was sentenced to 16 years in state prison.  On his last day in office, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted Nunez’s sentence to seven years.


“Once again, we are going to court seeking justice for the victims in this case— Luis Santos, Evan Henderson, Keith Robertson, Brandon Scheerer and their families.” said DA Dumanis.  “A governor who is considering a commutation has a constitutional duty under Marsy’s Law to include the voices of the victims.  In this case, that clearly didn’t happen.”

The civil suit names the Governor of California, Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Warden of Mule Creek State Prison as defendants and respondents and Esteban Nunez as a real party of interest.  In the suit, the DA’s Office argues that the Governor was constitutionally obligated to notify the victims of crime of his intent to commute a sentence and provide them with an opportunity to be heard.  As a result of the Governor’s failure to do that, the victims’ constitutional rights were violated and the Governor’s Executive Order commuting Nunez’ sentence is void and unenforceable.


Nunez, along with a co-defendant, pleaded guilty in 2010 to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon.  The assault occurred during a fight near San Diego State University that left Luis Santos dead from knife wounds and three other victims injured.  Nunez’ guilty plea was accepted by the court with no promises for leniency and he was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for his crimes.  Nunez’ case was being appealed when the commutation was suddenly announced by Governor Schwarzenegger on his last day in office.  Victims in the case learned of the commutation through news reports.

“Marsy’s Law was designed to keep people from being re-victimized and the former Governor’s action violated that law,” said DA Dumanis.   “We don’t argue with the Governor’s constitutional ability to grant pardons or commutations.  Historically, the Governor was entrusted with this power in order to represent the conscience of the community and to insure against miscarriages of justice.  Instead, this last-minute commutation made without all the facts or input from the parties, only fueled the public’s mistrust of government and greatly diminished justice.”

“I support the effort of the District Attorney to achieve justice for the victim’s family and all of San Diego,” said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.


Earlier this year, the District Attorney’s Office also announced support of Assembly Bill 648, which would require the applicant for a commutation of sentence notify the District Attorney 30 days before the governor acts upon the application.  The District Attorney must then notify the victims, and both the District Attorneys and the victims will have the opportunity to provide written recommendations to the Governor for or against the commutation or pardon.  AB 648 is being co-authored by California Assemblymembers Marty Block and Nathan Fletcher.

About San Diego County District Attorney:
The employees of the San Diego District Attorney, in partnership with the Community they serve, are dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice and protection of the innocent and the prevention of crime through the vigorous  and  professional  prosecution  of those  who  violate the law.

Source: http://www.sdcda.org
Photo credit to: The San Diego County District Attorney Office

Next Page »