- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday the Department Justice may step up its attention to attacks on journalists, but did not lay out any concrete measures.

“I think it’s a big deal,” Mr. Sessions said when asked about the chilling disappearance and suspected murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. “I feel strongly about it, the president feels strongly about it and we at the Department of Justice will do what we can and I think give new attention to this issue.”

Most attacks on journalists occur overseas in other countries, so its unclear what, if any, power the Justice Department has to take action.

All told, 27 journalists were murdered in 2018, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. That is a 50 percent increase from 2017’s death toll, when 18 reporters were slain.

“The world will be diminished if journalists aren’t abel to go and travel and report honestly on conditions in different countries or if people in their country can’t report on corruption or crime or misconduct,” Mr. Sessions said. “It can separate countries from the civilized community.”

Mr. Sessions declined to comment on the investigation into Mr. Kashoggi’s death or if he was concerned about the probe’s credibility.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.

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