The Atlantic isn't backing down - Poynter

"The Atlantic is making itself clear. They are standing behind their reporter. They are standing behind their journalism. They won't be backing down. Last month, Fitzpatrick wrote a bombshell story based on conversations with dozens of sources. Those sources described Patel as erratic, suspicious of others and prone to jumping to conclusions before he had the necessary evidence. The story included allegations of "excessive drinking" as well as "conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences" while Patel has been in charge of the FBI."

"Patel responded defiantly on social media and TV, and then filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, seeking $250 million in damages. Then on Wednesday, another major story in this saga dropped. MS NOW's Ken Dilanian and Carol Leonnig reported that, according to their sources, the FBI has launched a criminal leak investigation focusing on Fitzpatrick. The FBI denied there is such an investigation."

"But, if true, consider exactly what this means. The FBI director and his department are investigating a reporter - not over a national security threat, but simply because Patel was embarrassed by her reporting. As The Atlantic's David A. Graham wrote, "Even for an administration with an awful record on press freedom, and a bureau with a history of unsavory actions by directors, this is a dangerous step.""

"Shortly after the MS NOW story broke, another story was added to the mix. Clearly not intimidated, Fitzpatrick and The Atlantic published, "Kash Patel's Personalized Bourbon Stash." Fitzpatrick wrote, "I heard from people in Patel's orbit and people he has met at public functions, who told me that it is not unusual for him to travel with a supply of personalized branded bourbon. The bottles b"

FBI leadership and its director Kash Patel responded to critical reporting by The Atlantic with defamation litigation and public denials. A prior report described Patel as erratic, suspicious of others, and prone to conclusions without sufficient evidence, including allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences. After Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit, reporting from MS NOW claimed the FBI launched a criminal leak investigation targeting Fitzpatrick, which the FBI denied. The situation was framed as pressure on journalism rather than a national security matter. The Atlantic then published another story about Patel’s personalized bourbon supply, signaling continued support for its reporter.

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