PRESS FREEDOM ON TRIAL: BEK TV RELEASES InJustice

Bismarck, ND – (Bismarck, ND) - A major freedom of the press battle is unfolding in North Dakota, and BEK TV is taking viewers inside the story. The network has launched a powerful new investigative special report series, InJustice, now available to watch at no charge on the BEK TV+ app and over-the-air on BEK TV across North Dakota. This urgent series exposes a real-time legal fight that could reshape journalism in America.

BEK TV has been subpoenaed by a North Dakota prosecutor, demanding the news network’s protected internal newsgathering materials, including raw un-aired footage, reporter notes, text messages, and private communications with the victim, Jenni Babcock. These materials are tied to the network’s coverage of the Daniel Breijo murder case, Breijo being the defendant. BEK is actively fighting this demand before the North Dakota Supreme Court.

At the center of this battle is a critical question: Can the government force a news organization to hand over its confidential reporting materials?

InJustice was born from BEK TV’s earlier investigative series, Dunseith Declassified, which uncovered shocking details tied to a Christmas Eve 2023 murder in Minot involving Daniel Breijo. According to reports covered in the series, Breijo allegedly killed Nick Van Pelt and shot survivor Jenni Babcock four times, leaving her for dead. Babcock survived and later shared her story with BEK TV and other media, but there is no record of any other media being subpoenaed. Babcock’s testimony, and BEK’s investigative work, now sit at the center of a legal showdown.

BEK’s legal fight highlights growing concerns that prosecutors may be conducting a “fishing expedition” into protected newsroom materials. North Dakota’s longstanding Journalist Shield Law is being ignored, confidential sources and whistleblowers could be exposed, and a precedent-setting ruling could weaken press protections across the country.
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InJustice Series on BEK TV / 2

Watch InJustice at no charge anytime on the BEK TV+ app or over-the-air on BEK TV at the following times: (Check the Channel Finder for your local listing.) www.bek.tv

Saturday, April 25 at 11:30 am and 10:30 pm
Sunday, April 26 at 8:30 pm

BEK TV is one of the only locally-owned, non-corporate television broadcasting networks remaining in the country and produces more local content than any other television station in the Midwest. It broadcasts in North Dakota on over-the-air television and across the world via streaming on BEK TV+.

The concept behind BEK TV’s programming is to provide a media service platform that is unscripted and uncensored. The majority of BEK TV hosts are untrained broadcasters who share their perspectives and views on topics and issues that people are talking about. The BEK network never controls the messaging.

BEK TV is the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 winner of the Bismarck Tribune’s Best of the Best contest, selected by the people for “Best Local TV Station”. BEK TV host Lori Hinz is the winner of the 2024 “Best TV Personality” award. Both were chosen by the people.