Crackdown on leaks can lead to trouble

[dogday]

Investigations only intimidate whistle-blowers

The etiquette and morality of leaking is not always easy to understand, especially for citizens outside Washington. From the journalistic perspective, almost all leaks are inherently good. From the politician's point of view - as the White House is now demonstrating - many leaks are excellent while others are very bad, and the crucial question is whether the revealed facts are flattering or embarrassing.
Distinguishing good leaks from bad is especially relevant today, when officials who disclose the wrong information to the wrong people at the wrong time risk federal prosecution.

The C.I.A. is zealously pursuing staffers who may have disclosed nasty secrets to the press about the secret prisons it has been operating abroad. Last week, the agency dismissed a longtime employee named Mary McCarthy because of her unauthorized discussions with Washington reporters, including Dana Priest, the Washington Post intelligence specialist. Whether the government will prosecute Ms. McCarthy is yet to be determined, although she denies disclosing the secret-prison story to Ms. Priest.

The Justice Department has warned that its leak investigations may result in subpoenas to reporters, seeking to force them to expose their sources. Leading Republicans on Capitol Hill have urged that anyone who discloses or publishes classified information should be hauled before a grand jury.

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=20712

[RethugAssKicker]

1. If the Leaker exposes governmental criminal acts..

the leaker is a HERO. Period !