I'm not arguing for no enforcement. Leaving government employees out since that's covered under different legislation, proving possession is easy, if the media, or anyone else, discloses classified information, that's a defacto admission. My guess, if these cases were actually prosecuted, the result would be a shifting of the burden of proof to the accused.
If this case proceeds, the amicus briefs will be voluminus, every media and lobbying group in the country will have their 2 cents.
If we're going to prosecute this, and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, we probably need new legislation.
Forget the media, lets suppose a scenario with ordinary citizens.
Homeland security has a tip. Agent of Homeland Security feels that if tip is true it endangers his family. He calls his wife to warn her. She knows he shouldn't have done so, he broke the law.
But she runs to tell her best friend and next door neighbor who may also be in danger. Neighbor gets the hint of the source, takes it seriously and warns her best friend.
Down the line classified information has been exchanged by people who pretty much knew they were sharing a Gov't secret.
Who broke the law? Who gets prosecuted?