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A coalition of groups representing news organizations asked a federal judge in Milwaukee on Thursday to unseal documents in a civil lawsuit over a John Doe probe concerning alleged campaign finance violations.

The coalition, which includes the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the American Society of News Editors, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, said in a court filing that U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa’s orders to seal documents in the case violate the public’s constitutional and common law access to court documents.

Eric O’Keefe and the Wisconsin Club for Growth sued John Doe prosecutor Francis Schmitz, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and three others, claiming that the John Doe investigation unfairly targets only conservative groups, and that the investigation is hampering their free speech rights to participate in upcoming elections.

Last month, Randa refused to dismiss the lawsuit.

The John Doe probe focuses on alleged illegal coordination between campaigns, including Gov. Scott Walker’s recall election campaign, and conservative political groups.