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View Full Version : A New Media Shield Law Would Only Shield Corporate Media




presence
08-24-2013, 08:03 AM
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Recently, Americans have witnessed a barrage of scandals regarding the federal government’s extension of their surveillance powers. Following whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations—which of course point to the National Security Agency's spy programs and the FISA Court's endorsement of broad domestic-surveillance policies—the American citizenry's Fourth Amendment right to privacy has taken center stage. The truth of these invasive and unconstitutional policies is giving rise to further argument, and laying ground for a practical forum to engage elected officials to more clearly define citizens' rights in the digital era.
Yet, while Americans are engrossed in the debate over whether or not their government should be allowed to collect and examine the online data of citizens en masse, particularly without suspicion of criminal activity, the vehicle by which these revelations came to light—journalism—is now also under attack.
The trial of former CIA agent Jeffery Sterling, who faces charges under the Espionage Act, has provided insight (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/10/james-risen-prison-journalism-criminalised) into how the federal government interprets the rights of journalists.

more:
http://www.vice.com/read/the-new-media-shield-law-only-shields-corporate-media