Justice Dept. and Julian Assange reach plea deal in case that threatens press freedom

AP Photo/Cliff Owen
The Espionage Act is an unconstitutional law used to prosecute whistleblowers and news publishers.
The Espionage Act is a broad secrecy law that outlaws the sharing of defense information with anyone, for any reason.
In recent years, the law has been wielded to stifle dissent and journalism. Whistleblowers have been imprisoned under the law. It’s also been used against journalists and news outlets that publish government secrets.
We must reform the Espionage Act to distinguish between spying and the exposing of wrongdoing.
A new FPF video explains exactly how the Espionage Act charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange endanger journalists and news outlets
Letter from legal scholars explains how prosecuting Julian Assange threatens press freedom
Whether Julian Assange is a journalist is irrelevant to the threat his prosecution poses to press freedom
Our government should have heeded calls to drop charges against Assange long ago. It’s embarrassing that foreigners have to remind us of our constitutional principles
Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall backs efforts to reform the government secrecy system, while honoring the late Daniel Ellsberg
Ellsberg supported and admired those who followed in his footsteps
Assange's prosecution should be condemned by all who believe in press freedom
We will honor our friend by fighting for what he fought for his entire life: an end to excessive government secrecy.
Criminalization of routine newsgathering undermines press freedom everywhere
First Amendment dangers extend far beyond immigration reporting