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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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.
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America’s ‘Official Secrets Act’ — the long, sad history of the 100-year-old Espionage Act
The Espionage Act is used to prosecute whistleblowers and threaten journalists. This is its history.
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Edward Snowden on Trump administration's recent arrest of an alleged journalistic source
The Trump administration charged a news outlet's source under the draconian Espionage Act this week. Edward Snowden responds.
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Statement on Trump allegedly telling Comey to jail reporters for publishing classified information
Trump allegedly urged Comey to imprison journalists who publish classified information. This is a grave threat to press freedom.
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Leaked FBI documents reveal secret rules for spying on journalists with National Security Letters
Today, The Intercept published leaked documents that contain the FBI’s secret rules for targeting journalists and sources with National Security Letters (NSLs)—the controversial and unconstitutional warrantless tool the FBI uses to conduct surveillance without any court supervision whatsoever. Freedom of the Press Foundation has been suing the Justice Department (DOJ) …
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Chelsea Manning speaks from behind bars in new podcast
Amnesty International released a podcast with Chelsea Manning today. Listen here.
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US officials have no problem leaking classified information about surveillance—as long as it fits their narrative
In the past few days there have been a flurry of stories about the Russian plane that crashed in the Sinai peninsula, which investigators reportedly think may have been caused by a bomb. Notably, anonymous US officials have been leaking to journalists that they believe ISIS is involved, and it’s …
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Announcing major new crowd-funding effort to help pay for Chelsea Manning’s legal appeal
Today we’re proud to announce a major new crowd-funding campaign in support of whistleblower Chelsea Manning to help pay for her important legal appeal. Chelsea is currently in the process challenging of her unjust Espionage Act conviction and draconian 35-year jail sentence at the Army Court of Appeals. First Look …
