Media asks judge to unseal search warrant affidavit used for Gizmodo raid in iPhone probe

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Media wants affidavit in Gizmodo raid unsealed

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — The Associated Press and other news organizations are asking a judge to unseal the search warrant affidavit used to raid the home of a technology blogger who posted pictures and details of an iPhone prototype.

Court documents listing the legal reasons for searches are usually made public within 10 days. But the affidavit supporting the April 23 raid of Gizmodo.com editor Jason Chen’s house and car remains sealed.

Gizmodo had posted photos of what appeared to be a next-generation iPhone found in a California bar. Apple Inc. later acknowledged the device belonged to the company.

Joining in the court filing are Bloomberg News, CNET News, the Los Angeles Times, Wired.com, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the First Amendment Coalition.

They argue that the affidavit will help determine whether the raid was appropriate. California law protects journalists from having to turn over certain material during a search.