In America, Journalists Are Considered Terrorists
We’ve previously noted that American journalists are an endangered species (click on the links for stunning details):If they criticize those in power, they may be smeared by the government and targeted for arrest (and see this).Do you think that I am being melodramatic and over the top? Think again …
Indeed, because the core things which reporters do could be considered terrorism, in modern America, they could even targeted under counter-terrorism laws.And an al-Jazeera journalist was held at Guantánamo for six years, partly in order to be interrogated about the Arabic news network. And see this.
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Experts who write about the truth – without any middleman – are also being harassed (and see this).
Wikileaks’ head Julian Assange could face the death penalty for his heinous crime of leaking whistleblower information which make those in power uncomfortable … i.e. being a reporter.
Former attorney general Mukasey said the U.S. should prosecute Assange because it’s “easier” than prosecuting the New York Times. But now Congress is considering a bill which would make even mainstream reporters liable for publishing leaked information (part of an all-out war on whistleblowing).
Glenn Greenwald wrote yesterday:
A US air force systems analyst who expressed support for WikiLeaksand accused leaker Bradley Manning triggered a formal military investigation last year to determine whether she herself had leaked any documents to the group.
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The investigation was ultimately closed when they could find no evidence of unauthorized leaking, but what makes these documents [Air Force investigative documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request ] noteworthy is the possible crime cited by military officials as the one they were investigating: namely, “Communicating With the Enemy“, under Article 104 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
That is one of the most serious crimes a person can commit – it carries the penalty of death – and is committed when a person engages in “unauthorized communication, correspondence, or intercourse with the enemy”.
( Not that there is much choice in that matter - when 'enemies' spring up like mould as UN/NATO Occupation forces in uniform - my bad, Peacekeepers - are assigned to rape and pillage the defenceless. I see prostitution is likely to become legal - just in time to catch up young in Africa into slavery. )
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