31-12-2010, 06:48 PM
If it can be claimed that Assange in any way encouraged Manning to leak material, it may be possible to use this as part of a case against him in US courts for inciting a breach of national security (in whatever form the actual legalese exists).
This is very dangerous territory for investigative journalists.
When working with potential whistleblowers, I've always tried to be as ethical as possible, ensured that they are fully aware of the possibly highly detrimental personal consequences of revealing confidential information, and encouraged them to make their own decision according to their moral conscience.
I'm going to phrase this very carefully.
I am sure that a transcript of almost any conversation between potential whistleblower and investigative journalist would contain exchanges which could be interpreted, or more accurately misconstrued, by a hostile prosecution lawyer to claim that the journalist was encouraging or inciting the individual to breach national security.
And, if the judges belong to the deep state, therein lies a one-way ticket to an orange jumpsuit and chemically induced infantilism.
This is very dangerous territory for investigative journalists.
When working with potential whistleblowers, I've always tried to be as ethical as possible, ensured that they are fully aware of the possibly highly detrimental personal consequences of revealing confidential information, and encouraged them to make their own decision according to their moral conscience.
I'm going to phrase this very carefully.
I am sure that a transcript of almost any conversation between potential whistleblower and investigative journalist would contain exchanges which could be interpreted, or more accurately misconstrued, by a hostile prosecution lawyer to claim that the journalist was encouraging or inciting the individual to breach national security.
And, if the judges belong to the deep state, therein lies a one-way ticket to an orange jumpsuit and chemically induced infantilism.
"It means this War was never political at all, the politics was all theatre, all just to keep the people distracted...."
"Proverbs for Paranoids 4: You hide, They seek."
"They are in Love. Fuck the War."
Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon
"Ccollanan Pachacamac ricuy auccacunac yahuarniy hichascancuta."
The last words of the last Inka, Tupac Amaru, led to the gallows by men of god & dogs of war
"Proverbs for Paranoids 4: You hide, They seek."
"They are in Love. Fuck the War."
Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon
"Ccollanan Pachacamac ricuy auccacunac yahuarniy hichascancuta."
The last words of the last Inka, Tupac Amaru, led to the gallows by men of god & dogs of war