(No subject)

[Guest guest]

TO: ACLU Action Network

FR: Jared Feuer, Internet Organizer

DT: August 29, 2001

 

Last year, with little debate and no public hearings, Congress adopted an

intelligence authorization bill that contained a provision to criminalize all

leaks of classified information. Although President Clinton vetoed the bill,

this year's intelligence authorization bill may include the identical provision.

If this provision is allowed to become law, it would essentially eliminate the

check on government power that public scrutiny provides!

 

To accomplish the crucial role of exposing government misdeeds, most major news

outlets often base stories on classified information. A recent example of such a

story is the government bungling of the Wen Ho Lee case. If this provision

becomes law however, reporters that rely on leaks of classified information to

expose government misconduct could be compelled by subpoena to reveal the source

of the leak, or go to prison if they refuse.

 

Current law already protects national security by prohibiting the disclosure of

certain classified information that could cause serious harm, such as the

disclosure of the names of covert agents. This was deemed enough to protect the

national security even during the heyday of the Cold War.

 

Take Action! The government should not be allowed to hide its mistakes,

incompetence, political embarrassments, and even in some cases, criminal

behavior behind a classified stamp. You can read more and send a FREE FAX from

our action alert at:

 

http://www.aclu.org/action/classified107.html