TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Marion County, Kansas, is settling a significant lawsuit by paying a little over $3 million and formally apologizing following a police raid on the Marion County Record in August 2023. This incident, which sparked outrage over press freedom, involved the local newspaper's editor Eric Meyer, who is hopeful that the hefty settlement will discourage similar actions against news organizations in the future. Sheriff Jeff Soyez publicly apologized during a statement acknowledging the impact on Meyer and others involved. The raid, which drew national attention, is tied to a dispute with a local restaurant owner, fueling conversations about press freedom. The stress of the event significantly impacted Meyer's family, as his mother passed away shortly after the incident.
Marion County Settles $3 Million Lawsuit Over Newspaper Raid, Apologizes
Marion County Settles $3 Million Lawsuit Over Newspaper Raid, Apologizes
In a landmark case for press freedom, Marion County, Kansas, agrees to a settlement after law enforcement raided a local newspaper, causing national outrage over the attack on journalism.
Marion County will pay over $3 million and issue formal apologies in connection with a controversial police raid on the Marion County Record, which sparked a nationwide debate on press freedom. The raid, tied to accusations of invasion of privacy against the newspaper, resulted in calls for greater protection of journalistic independence. Eric Meyer, the paper's editor, emphasizes that the compensation is less about the money and more about deterring future attacks on the press.
