DOJ:Journalists Can Be Prosecuted for Publishing Classified Information

American Thinker ^ | August 1, 2007 | Clarice Feldman

[Kaslin]

The Department of Justice has concluded that, while its emphasis is on prosecuting leakers of classified information, the Espionage Act does permit the prosecution of journalists who publish such information without authorization:

The espionage statutes concerning classified information could be employed against journalists who publish such information without authorization, a Justice Department official told Congress recently, elaborating on remarks made last year by Attorney General Gonzales. Those statutes, "on their face, do not provide an exemption for any particular profession or class of persons, including journalists," wrote Matthew W. Friedrich, DoJ Criminal Division Chief of Staff, in a March 2007 response to questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee that has been newly published.

He stressed that "the Justice Department's primary focus has been and will continue to be investigating and prosecuting leakers, not members
of the press."

But he added that "it would be inappropriate to comment on whether the Department is now considering the prosecution of journalists for publishing classified information."

So--what's taking them so long to do it

[tobyhill]

Start prosecuting!

[Dacula]

Why did it take so long?

[usurper]

So--what's taking them so long to do it

Ditto that.

They are irresponsibly placing American lives at risk for ratings and bragging rights.

[Vigilanteman]

Why did it take so long?

Because PC feelgoodism trumpts common sense. Hopefully, it won't take another 9-11 to bring back common sense.

[Kaslin]

Good question. I should have been done years ago

[CHEE]

Good News! Now, Letsgeterdone!

[Paperdoll]

As well they should! About time the DOJ woke up!

[Chode]

Duh... and they just figured this out now???

[Kaslin]

If the dimocrats get the White House back plus gain more seats in the House and Senate, you can bet there will be another 9/11

[jazusamo]

Good! Let’s get started with the prosecutions.

[toddlintown]

Just Do It!

[skinkinthegrass]

...wish it would include members of the Federal Congress and/or their Staffers....If not, make it so/1000X said penalties/fines...I know Damn Congressional procedures/separation of powers....

[ErnBatavia]

LET'S ROLL !!

[Bahbah]

Heheheh. I want to be a fly on the wall at the NYT right about now.

[Enchante]

Why has it taken SIX YEARS to make this known, and when will they DO something??

[perez24]

Agreed. I don’t mind the reporters being prosecuted too, (although they haven’t signed the agreements to not disclose classified information like the leakers themselves) but they can’t publish classified info if the info isn’t leaked.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’ll believe it when I see the indictments. Start with the NYT. They’ll have a field day with those traitorous asshats.

[kabar]

The UK has an Official Secrets Act. We should have something similar.

[Popocatapetl]

I want to see the DOJ start prosecuting several crimes that have been ignored for years:

1) Engaging in unauthorized negotiations, agreements, or treaties with foreign governments.

2) Travel to or commerce with prohibited nations.

3) Giving aid or comfort to prohibited nations in anticipation of conflict with the United States.

4) Interfering with the recruitment or movement of US military forces or war supplies in time of conflict. Vandalism or sabotage of military equipment or supplies.

5) Unauthorized possession or publication of classified information.

6) Treason.

[shalom aleichem]

Because...Dubya wanted his homie buddy Tejano Al to run the justice department. He has screwed almost everything up. I had lost track until I ran across this wiki summary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Gonzales The reason I mention the Tejano label is he is proud to be one and it supposedly means a Texan of Mexican descent. He claims to have no immigration proofs on 3 of his 4 grandparents Woopee. I thought Janet el Reno was bad (and she was) but this guy is a total clown. He should prosecute leakers, starting with Novak, Joe Wilson and Ms Plame and then the NYTimes and others who have divulged secret bases, our Echelon intelligence programs, etc. Absolutely won’t do a damn thing except keep his brother Tejano border guards in jail.

I am not advocating resignation or impeachment however. That would only result in nasty confirmation hearings or Dubya being force to pick some universally acceptable nitwit moderate like Jim Baker.

[Enchante]

"He should prosecute leakers, starting with Novak, Joe Wilson and Ms Plame...."

Yes, but let's remember that much of Plamegate occurred under Ashcroft in 2003-04, who also proved to be a total wimp wrt confronting the 'Rats. Also, I don't think there's a shred of anything on which to prosecute Novak, that's why FITZFONG did not go after Armitage or Novak.

[SandRat]

WELL DOJ?



Waiting for the NYSlimes to go on trial......

[navyguy]

This is excellent news, but neither the DOJ nor GWB has the nards to actually prosecute anyone. Never gonna happen. Gotta show weakness at all costs.

[isom35]

if only they could be prosecuted for filing false information, or even biased :)

[puppypusher]

We know that the press can be prosecuted for publishing classified material is.Now why won’t the Department of Justice start the prosecutions and start placing these reporters behind bars for a long length of time?

That will stop this crap in a hurry.

[bert]

There is no point in investing political capital unless there is some basis for earning a decent return.

To investigate and prosecute publically in 2005 is not nearly as productive as 2007 with reverbarations into 2008.

[Nuc1]

For me it is not about politics. It is about treason against this Great Republic. Prosecution should occur as soon as possible.

[just mimi]

A reporter asks questions and gets answers. They are not aware of what is classified information by default. If a government source discloses to them information are they not able to assume it is not classified? The liability begins and ends with the source ‘unless’ it is disclosed to the interviewer that the information is classified, in which case the reporter should not disclose the information. Ohhhhh. Is that what happened here? Tell me I truly do not know. If this is not what happened, then the source is totally to blame, the reporter his/her publication not.

[FormerACLUmember]

And? The DOJ is a corrupt cesspool of Clintonista agents, never cleaned out by the incompetent George Bush.

[Brad from Tennessee]

If the reporter and his or her editor are professionals they will not accept the information on its face but will contact additional sources for corroboration. If this process is thorough enough they should discover whether or not the disclosure is classified.