Attorney Gen.: Reporters Can Be Prosecuted

[Quixote1818]

:wtf: :mad: :thumbsdown: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

?

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security.

The nation's top law enforcer also said the government will not hesitate to track telephone calls made by reporters as part of a criminal leak investigation, but officials would not do so routinely and randomly.

"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. "We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected."

In recent months, journalists have been called into court to testify as part of investigations into leaks, including the unauthorized disclosure of a CIA operative's name as well as the National Security Agency's warrantless eavesdropping program.

more at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060521/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/prosecuting_reporters:grr:

[annabanana]

1. pure unadulterated toady evil...

consiglieri gonzo..
(and it's clear he enjoys it, the torturing and everything)

[Gabi Hayes]

2. This just in: Prosecutors can be reported!

[annabanana]

3. Attorneys General can be prosecuted too...

and it is my sincerest wish that this one will be. And soon.

[magellan]

4. Nice

Particularly with a DOJ and maladministration that love to play the State Secret Shuffle.

[SeattleGirl]

5. I don't know about that, but I do know Presidents can be impeached

and even prosecuted.

Alberto, just shove it, okay?

[Quixote1818]

6. SO!!! WHAT ELSE ARE THEY HIDING NOW???

More intimidation, fear tacts and threats! The Administration must have something really big the still need to hide! This administration is like a cornered mountain lion, willing to do anything to survive and it's scary!

[Quixote1818]

15. .

[ihelpu2see]

7. so when the media finally starts getting to work and discovering

what a horror show this administration is.... This admin. threatens them with prison??

Go back to Real-estate law Gonzo.

[flordehinojos]

8. this man has not one original thought of his own...

he lives to be bush's tinkerbell.

[damntexdem]

10. That's just as well:

I shudder to think of what his original thought might be.

[damntexdem]

9. Really? Then when's he going to charge Novak?

I mean, there you have it: outed Valerie Plame/Wilson in print.

Or does a statute apply only if the Administration is out to get the journalist?

Gonzalez probably thinks that a free press means that newspapers shouldn't charge for copies.

[Quixote1818]

11. That would be a great question for him. nt

[Poppyseedman]

12. A little history lesson

Espionage Act of 1917:
As a result of the Espionage Act, about 75 newspapers either lost their mailing privileges or were pressured to print nothing more about World War I between June 1917 and May 1918. Among the publications which were censored in this way as a result of the Espionage Act were two Socialist Party daily newspapers: the New York Call and the Milwaukee Leader. The editor of the Milwaukee Leader--Victor Berger--was also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after being convicted on a charge of conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act. The Industrial Workers of the World 's Solidarity journal, as well as the American Socialist and The Masses bohemian radical magazine, were also banned from the mails under the terms of the Espionage Act. German-American or German-American language newspapers, pacifist publications and Irish nationalist publications like Jeremiah O'Leary's Bull were also banned from the mails as a result of the Espionage Act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage_Act_of_1917

Sedition Act of 1918:
The Sedition Act forbade Americans to use "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, flag, or armed forces during war. The act also allowed the Postmaster General to deny mail delivery to dissenters of government policy during wartime.

The Sedition Act was an attempt by the United States government to limit “freedom of speech,” in-so-much-as that “freedom of speech” related to the criticism of the government during war.

The Espionage Act made it a crime to help wartime enemies of the United States, but the Sedition Act made it a crime to utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the United States' form of government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition_Act_of_1918

Yes, Woodrow Wilson administration

[Disturbed]

13. "would seem to indicate that that is a possibility,"

Weasle words that are a threat to "real" Reporters.

There are good leaks, those that the Neo Fascists leak and bad leaks, those that the Media leaks that indicate law breaking of the Neo Fascist Regime.

[Poppyseedman]

14. My only point was precedent has been set...... by Wilson

I'm wondering how far they will actually take this.

It seems to me, it is more of a warning shot to keep the press media on their toes.