The Department of Justice has reportedly removed sections on the "need for free press and public trial" in its internal manual for federal prosecutors.
Buzzfeed News says the changes were spearheaded by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in a bid to update the manual, which has not been given a major polish since 1997.
In the document’s section relating to "media contacts policy," a subsection titled "Need for Free Press and Public Trial" was deleted, according to Buzzfeed.
In addition, new language was added to the media contacts section about the release information to the public. The new language includes weighing the "right of the public to have access to information."
The manual also now references the illegality of sharing classified information and reporting any media contacts about matters concerning the Department of Justice, which is in tune with the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on government leaks
Another change underscores Attorney General Jeff Sessions' focus on religious liberty.
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