Not publishing newsworthy leaks isn’t journalistic integrity, it’s timidity
AP Photo/Jon Elswick
Reporting on leaked information informs the public, while claims of harm are often overblown.
Journalists routinely rely on leaked information to inform the public. Without leaks, we’d be left in the dark about vital information involving the government, corporations, and powerful individuals, who often act in secret.
When government information is leaked, the U.S. routinely claims, without proof, that the leak damages national security. We should be skeptical of claims that leaks cause harm, and of broad leak investigations that can lead to the surveillance of journalists and sources and the chilling of reporting.
Featured Items
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Prosecuting WikiLeaks for publishing activities poses a profound threat to press freedom
Any Espionage Act prosecution also threatens journalists at the New York Times and Washington Post.
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FBI whistleblower Terry Albury sentenced to four years in prison for sharing information with journalists
FBI whistleblower Terry Albury has been sentenced to four years in prison for leaking information of huge public interest value to the press.
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Trump administration continues its crackdown on journalistic sources, charges fifth person in less than two years
Freedom of the Press Foundation statement on the Justice Department's arrest and charges against Treasury Department employee Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards for allegedly sharing information with the press
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Reality and the Espionage Act
The first whistleblower prosecuted by the Trump administration, Reality Winner pled guilty to one count of violating the Espionage Act. Her case is the latest in a long history of targeting sources and whistleblowers under the draconian law.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation statement on whistleblower Reality Winner’s plea deal
Former intelligence contractor and whistleblower Reality Winner has pled guilty to leaking a secret NSA report to the press.
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Trump's Justice Dept escalates its disturbing crackdown on leaks by seizing New York Times reporter's phone and email records
The surveillance of reporters for doing their job is an affront to press freedom.
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As leak investigations surge, our new lawsuit seeks the Trump admin's guidelines on surveillance of journalists
Leak investigations are up 800% and we have no idea how the Trump administration is targeting journalists.
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Statement on Jeff Sessions' disturbing press conference announcing a crackdown on leaks and journalism
An attack on leakers and whistleblowers is an attack on journalism itself.
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Beware of the Trump administration’s coming crackdown on leaks — and journalism
Prosecuting sources is a direct threat to press freedom.
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How the Espionage Act morphed into a dangerous tool used to prosecute sources and threaten journalists
The Espionage Act is a draconian statute used to stifle press freedom for decades.
