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The leader of Project Veritas, Mr. O\u2019Keefe, often uses surreptitious cameras and faked identities in videos that are meant to embarrass news outlets, Democratic officials, labor groups and liberals. In a statement on Friday about the judge\u2019s ruling, Mr. O\u2019Keefe wrote: \u201cThe Times is so blinded by its hatred of Project Veritas that everything it does results in a self-inflicted wound.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his new ruling, Justice Wood rejected the argument by The Times that the memos prepared by Project Veritas\u2019s lawyer \u2014 which advised the conservative group on how to legally carry out deceptive reporting methods \u2014 were a matter of public concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cUndoubtedly, every media outlet believes that anything that it publishes is a matter of public concern,\u201d the judge wrote. He added: \u201cOur smartphones beep and buzz all day long with news flashes that supposedly reflect our browsing and clicking interests, and we can tune in or read the news outlet that gives us the stories and topics that we want to see. But some things are not fodder for public consideration and consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justice Wood contended that his ruling did not amount to a restriction on the newspaper\u2019s journalism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Times is perfectly free to investigate, uncover, research, interview, photograph, record, report, publish, opine, expose or ignore whatever aspects of Project Veritas its editors in their sole discretion deem newsworthy, without utilizing Project Veritas\u2019s attorney-client privileged memoranda,\u201d the judge wrote.<\/p>\n
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a lawyer who represents media outlets including CNN, said in an interview on Friday that the judge\u2019s ruling was \u201cway off base and dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an egregious, unprecedented intrusion on news gathering and the news gathering process,\u201d Mr. Boutrous said. \u201cThe special danger is it allows a party suing a news organization for defamation to then get a gag order against the news organization banning any additional reporting. It\u2019s the ultimate chilling effect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n