UK’s proposed Espionage Act will treat journalists like spies by Roy Greenslade.
From the post:
Journalists in Britain are becoming increasingly alarmed by the government’s apparent determination to prevent them from fulfilling their mission to hold power to account. The latest manifestation of this assault on civil liberties is the so-called Espionage Act. If passed by parliament, it could lead to journalists who obtain leaked information, along with the whistle blowers who provide it to them, serving lengthy prison sentences.
In effect, it would equate journalists with spies, and its threat to press freedom could not be more stark. It would not so much chill investigative journalism as freeze it altogether.
The proposal is contained in a consultation paper, “Protection of Official Data,” which was drawn up by the Law Commission. Headed by a senior judge, the commission is ostensibly independent of government. Its function is to review laws and recommend reforms to ensure they are fairer and more modern.
But fairness is hardly evident in the proposed law. Its implications for the press were first highlighted in independent news website The Register by veteran journalist Duncan Campbell, who specializes in investigating the U.K. security services.
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Comments on the public consultation document can be registered here.
Greenslade reports criticism of the proposal earned this response from the government:
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In response, both Theresa’s May’s government and the Law Commission stressed that it was an early draft of the proposed law change. Then the commission followed up by extending the public consultation period by a further month, setting a deadline of May 3.
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Early draft, last draft or the final form from parliament, journalists should treat the proposed Espionage Act as a declaration of war on the press.
Being classified as spies, journalists should start acting as spies. Spies that offer no quarter and who take no prisoners.
Develop allies in other countries who are willing to publish information detrimental to your government.
The government has chosen a side and it’s not yours. What more need be said?