The
practice of journalism and of law in the United States is being
dramatically, negatively harmed by large-scale surveillance by the NSA
and other intelligence agencies. That's the finding of a new report from
Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, who conclude "[s]urveillance is
undermining media freedom and the right to counsel, and ultimately
obstructing the American people's ability to hold their government to
account."Researchers conducted exhaustive interviews with
senior government officials, attorneys, and journalists to complete the
102-page report, "With Liberty to Monitor All: How Large-Scale US
Surveillance is Harming Journalism, Law, and American Democracy."
"People are increasingly scared to talk about anything," observed one
Pulitzer Prize winner, including unclassified matters that are of
legitimate public concern. […]
This situation has a direct
effect on the public's ability to obtain important information about
government activities, and on the ability of the media to serve as a
check on government, Human Rights Watch and the ACLU found.
Journalists expressed concern that, rather than being treated as
essential checks on government and partners in ensuring a healthy
democratic debate, they may be viewed as suspect for doing their jobs.
One prominent journalist summed up what many seemed to be feeling: "I
don't want the government to force me to act like a spy. I'm not a spy;
I'm a journalist." […]
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