Congress Considers Prosecutions of Reporters Over Leaked Information

[tpsbmam]

McClatchy

In response to New York Times stories that relied on leaks of sensitive national-security information, a House of Representatives panel on Wednesday discussed legislation that could allow journalists to be prosecuted for disclosing such information.

Army Col. Ken Allard testified to a House Judiciary subcommittee that the extent of national security leaks is “unprecedented” in American history. Recent examples include the Times’ investigations of President Barack Obama’s terrorist “kill list” and American cyberattacks on Iran.

According to Allard, such investigations threaten national security and serve only to promote the news media’s self-interest. He charged that such investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances and to advance the media’s own agenda. An example, he said, was New York Times reporter David Sanger’s new book, “Confront and Conceal,” which details American cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Allard testified that Sanger was “systematically penetrating the Obama White House as effectively as any foreign agent," which he said exposed vital secrets to Iran and put the U.S. in danger of retaliation.

“Far from advancing our rights as citizens – as a free press should – Mr. Sanger deliberately placed his country at significant risk for his own profit,” Allard charged.

Three guesses as to what this is about. The first two don't count.

Unbe-freaking-lievable!!! These fascists in one fell swoop are continuing their attacks on a free press and on Obama. I suggest everyone go read the rest of the article. It's chilling, IMO. So how far do they intend to take this particular attack on Obama?

(ps -- this isn't in LBN because the article is dated 7/11/12.)

[tpsbmam]

1. Jesus, I can't believe there's no interest in this issue. SERIOUSLY, DU? SERIOUSLY?!!

WTF.....there's more interest in the fucking smoking ban in Santa Monica rentals than there is in this incredibly important issue.

DU makes me sick sometimes.

[Luminous Animal]

2. When the "traditional" media abandoned Wikileaks, they opened themselves up to this kind

of backlash against their own.

[tpsbmam]

3. It's more than that......

the attack on the Obama administration is what's truly chilling here.....look at what was said about the Obama administration.....it's more porous than any administration in history, a NY Times reporter plied the WH as effectively as any foreign agent could, and the investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances.....that's one whopper claim about the Obama administration. Why does that not upset people?

[xocet]

4. *Retired* Army Col. Ken Allard...

...

Army Col. Ken Allard (sic: (Ret.)) testified to a House Judiciary subcommittee that the extent of national security leaks is “unprecedented” in American history. Recent examples include the Times’ investigations of President Barack Obama’s terrorist “kill list” and American cyberattacks on Iran.

According to Allard, such investigations threaten national security and serve only to promote the news media’s self-interest. He charged that such investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances and to advance the media’s own agenda. An example, he said, was New York Times reporter David Sanger’s new book, “Confront and Conceal,” which details American cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Allard testified that Sanger was “systematically penetrating the Obama White House as effectively as any foreign agent,” which he said exposed vital secrets to Iran and put the U.S. in danger of retaliation.

...


Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/11/155833/congress-considers-prosecutions.html#storylink=cpy