Probes may have 'chilling effect' on media (espionage statute used on CIA prisons leak?)

Baltimore Sun ^ | 11/16/05 | Nick Madigan

[Libloather]

Probes may have 'chilling effect' on media
By Nick Madigan
Sun Reporter
Originally published November 16, 2005

The investigations into anonymous leaks in the nation's capital could confound the symbiotic relationship between government officials and reporters, according to observers of the interaction between the press and the politicians they cover.

The probes, first in the Valerie Plame case and now in The Washington Post's story about covert CIA prisons, have prompted questions about the benefits and pitfalls of leaking national security secrets, and whether the prospect of investigations into their provenance will mean the leaks could dry up.

"What if the government starts enforcing the espionage statute whenever there's a leak?" asked Steve Roberts, a former New York Times reporter who teaches media and public policy issues at George Washington University. "It's going to have a tremendously chilling effect on this interplay between sources and reporters."

In the Post case, congressional leaders have called for a criminal investigation into the source of the leak that led to a Nov. 2 story by reporter Dana Priest about the existence of covert CIA detention centers in various parts of the world.

"There's no conceivable way the public would have learned the information in that story if it had been shadowed by the threat that anyone revealing that information would be charged with a crime," Roberts said.

Critics of the Bush administration say that the effort to plug leaks in the government's national security apparatus is part of a longstanding campaign to shape public opinion. At its most extreme, the critics say, the effort culminated in a push for war that used faulty intelligence.

[Rockpile]

Isn't this guy Cokie's bimbo?

[marty60]

Have any vermin been seen scurring from the CIA headquaters or the Congressional staffers offices.

[Gritty]

"What if the government starts enforcing the espionage statute whenever there's a leak?"

Um, excuse me?

Government officials are sworn to secrecy, not to release classified information to unauthorized personnel. That's a crime. Anyone (including reporters) who knowingly receives classified information is also commiting a crime.

Why are either politicians or reporters exempt from the laws the rest of us have to follow?

Let the investigations and prosecutions begin!

[Ramcat]

The CIA is a Sieve. Close it down.

And while you're at it, throw Sandy Berger in jail.

[RedEyeJack]

"It's going to have a tremendously chilling effect on this interplay between sources and reporters."

The reporter thinks this is a bad thing... Reporters who want to exercise political power are subject to the same laws that the rest of us are and any who knowing release information that is classified should be prepared to accept the punishment that the person who gives them the info is subject to. That is, they are conspiring to violate the security of this nation and its security forces. They are endangering those who are trying to protect the nation and "we the people". Indict them and their sources and punish them.

[listenhillary]

"could confound the symbiotic relationship"

Leeches sucking on ticks?

With apologies to leeches and ticks world wide of course.

[meema]

I love it! Chilling effect? GOOD!

[onyx eyes]

All because Dan Blather took his precious self outside during a major hurricane back in the early 90's, I believe it was a cat 3/4 named Duke hitting the SC coast.

So, now we got hundreds of "newscasters" standing out in the wind and rain during Katrina -- well not many in Katrina. But, cerainly a lot were being whipped about during Wilma....

[usurper]

I'd like these media traitors, who think of nothing or divulging our nation's secrets to the enemy, to be chilled permanently.

There is a conventional wisdom in the media that it is OK or even patriotic to release national security information as long as it is for political reasons.

This is consistent with their unwavering support for traders such as the Rosenbergs or Ager Hiss. They will fain outrage at spies who release classified for nothing more than money. But when it comes to their fellow travelers whose ideology of American hatred they share, they will pull out all the stops to shield and protect them.

I want this spy exposed, tried and hanged. I could care less how long some reporter will rot in prison if they wish to impede the investigation. I hope they put then in with one of the nastiest Jihadies we are holding.

This is war and we must start treating that way.

[FLCowboy,]

"What if the government starts enforcing the espionage statute whenever there's a leak?" asked Steve Roberts, a former New York Times reporter who teaches media and public policy issues at George Washington University. "It's going to have a tremendously chilling effect on this interplay between sources and reporters."

I think the real question here should be, are reporters above the law? If a reporter divulges a state secret that causes the death of many U.S. citizens, I would want that reporter to be shot by a firing squad.