New US Bill Aims to Protect Researchers who Disclose Govt Backdoors:
New legislation has been introduced that amends the Espionage Act of 1917 to protect journalists, whistleblowers, and security researchers who discover and disclose classified government information.
The goal of the new legislation is to amend the Espionage Act of 1917 so it cannot be used to target reporters, whistleblowers, and security researchers who discover and publish classified government secrets.
Concerned that the current laws are being used for partisan prosecution, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D - California) introduced the new legislation to Congress on March 5th, 2020 and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D - Oregon) will soon introduce it to the Senate.
"My bill with Senator Wyden will protect journalists from being prosecuted under the Espionage Act and make it easier for members of Congress, as well as federal agencies, to conduct proper oversight over any privacy abuses. Our nation's strength rests on the freedom of the press, transparency, and a functioning system of checks and balances. This bill is a step toward ensuring those same principles apply to intelligence gathering and surveillance operations," said Rep. Ro Khanna.
"This bill ensures only personnel with security clearances can be prosecuted for improperly revealing classified information," Senator Wyden stated.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday March 10 2020, @03:52PM (3 children)
So a new Snowden only has to give his leaks to a reporter and he's fine? Release it yourself and you're screwed?
Hmmm... i choose option one, your honour!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Tuesday March 10 2020, @04:03PM
No, because the new Snowden has given the information to the unauthorised recipient - the journalist. The new Snowden is guilty of the offence.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by DannyB on Tuesday March 10 2020, @04:07PM (1 child)
Nothing is going to protect a new Snowden.
Spook agencies just want to get rid of the public black eye and have a new public image.
A new kinder, gentler torture and mass surveillance.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday March 10 2020, @04:17PM
So, Guantanamo lite? Say, Colon, Cuba? Where they only give colonoscopies? Or Moron, Cuba: where they think you'll believe anything?
"We
tortureinterrogate them with Q-tips in their ears, which as everyone knows shouldn't be done. That is all...nothing bad.Really. You can trust us!
:)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---