Can Journalists Be Prosecuted for Receiving Classified Information?

by Democracy Now (reposted)

Fri, Aug 18, 2006 8:09AM

A federal judge ruled last week that private citizens could be prosecuted if the government decides they have received or disclosed information harmful to national security. We take a look at the significance of the ruling and its implication for investigative journalists.

Last week a federal judge ruled private citizens could be prosecuted if the government decides they have received or disclosed information harmful to national security. The ruling comes in the case against two former employees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. They've been charged with passing on classified information to the Israeli government.

* Glenn Greenwald, constitutional law attorney specializing in presidential power and First Amendment issues. He is the author of the new book "How Would a Patriot Act?" and runs the blog Unclaimed Territory.

LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/08/18/1352244

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