Proposal to Send Leaking Journalists to Prison

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
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May 18, 1997
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OH HELL NAW! We knew Intel was probably a bit pissed when we reviewed the new Kaby Lake processor a month before its official launch, but we did not see this coming! On a serious note, this is going after the likes of journalists that have access to to Top Secret and Classified materials specific to governments and economies. But when does slagging an unworthy product become harm to economic well-being if it is something that everyone buys. Worth noting this is not being discussed in the USA, but rather the UK.

Campaigners have expressed outrage at new proposals that could lead to journalists being jailed for up to 14 years for obtaining leaked official documents. The major overhaul of the Official Secrets Act – to be replaced by an updated Espionage Act – would give courts the power to increase jail terms against journalists receiving official material.

And this concludes our political discussion for the day. As always, take it to the Soapbox.
 
Well lookit those Brits.

There are reasons we booted those guys remember?

I don't suppose the British lawmakers already have a similar law for those doing the leaking to begin with?
 
Honestly I lean both ways on this...

If said leak being reported on endangers the lives of our citizens abroad such as Intel on Military movements, lock them up...

If said leak being reported on is in the form of informing "we the people" that the Government is making a power move to strip fundamental rights we've grown up with in our own country, report on it, even if they need to put it on great big neon signs with flashing lights and sirens.
 
Honestly I lean both ways on this...

If said leak being reported on endangers the lives of our citizens abroad such as Intel on Military movements, lock them up...

If said leak being reported on is in the form of informing "we the people" that the Government is making a power move to strip fundamental rights we've grown up with in our own country, report on it, even if they need to put it on great big neon signs with flashing lights and sirens.

Hindsight is 20/20.

What you find to be "informing" may have the opposing side arguing for "endangers the lives" of others. It's a stupid conversation because both sides will never agree.

Any knowledge that involves the people is something the people it will affect is certainly information that the people should know if it has leaked. Period. Edward Snowden (although not a journalist originally) leaked information that was knwoledge the public should definitely be made aware of. Being the person that raises a red flag should 100% always be exempt, regardless of if you deem it "for the better good" or not.
 
Honestly I lean both ways on this...

If said leak being reported on endangers the lives of our citizens abroad such as Intel on Military movements, lock them up...

If said leak being reported on is in the form of informing "we the people" that the Government is making a power move to strip fundamental rights we've grown up with in our own country, report on it, even if they need to put it on great big neon signs with flashing lights and sirens.

I'm just wondering how a problem in England, has anyone other than an Englishman, taking a "stance" to begin with?
 
Hindsight is 20/20.

....................Edward Snowden (although not a journalist originally) leaked information that was knwoledge the public should definitely be made aware of.............................

Sure, but he also outed many many many times more information that never should have seen the light of day.

One right, a thousand wrongs.

I am not saying that you are wrong in principle but he is a poor choice for your example.
 
and people think all those movies where the UK turns into a socialist state are complete b.s., lol..
 
blaming reporters for reading a leak is stupid.

why not patch the holes in your ship assholes.
 
How dare you catch the government red-handed? Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
The globalists lost an election because of all the dirt released from the Democratic party complete with primary rigging, so they want to avoid such Wikileaks-style transparency (that they always promised us in the first place) from happening again. CNN's made up bullshit could soon become a reality for everyone.

 
Well lookit those Brits.

There are reasons we booted those guys remember?

I don't suppose the British lawmakers already have a similar law for those doing the leaking to begin with?

You don't know they are trying to do the same things here and have been for a while now?
 
I'm just wondering how a problem in England, has anyone other than an Englishman, taking a "stance" to begin with?

Or Englishwoman.

life-of-brian-loretta.jpg


Easy. Look how damn near every other country on this planet has a "stance" with US policies and laws. Guns? That's a big one that other countries have a problem with. Freedom? Apparently some have problems with it. Women being empowered and not having to wear a gown over her whole body? People have something to say about that.

Top Secret & Classified. I get it. Could be harmful to national security. Some things need leaked, but there will be still be repercussions. Can't have people leaking shit with no consequences. Sometimes, leaks are good and they expose a flaw in the government against it's people. Even then, it's not right. Can't pick and choose what's good to leak and what's not. All or none. Top Secret, Classified. Done. End of story. Regardless of what's in it. Has to be consistent.
 
I just want something cool to leak, ie: Area 51 details; Dinosaurs still exist; Elvis was alive until 2011; life is fake and we're all kept in life support pods because our Ant-like overlords prefer their meat fresh - just something cool and mind blowing.
 
I just want something cool to leak, ie: Area 51 details; Dinosaurs still exist; Elvis was alive until 2011; life is fake and we're all kept in life support pods because our Ant-like overlords prefer their meat fresh - just something cool and mind blowing.

Mind blowing stuff has leaked. You just have to know where to look.
 
I just want something cool to leak, ie: Area 51 details; Dinosaurs still exist; Elvis was alive until 2011; life is fake and we're all kept in life support pods because our Ant-like overlords prefer their meat fresh - just something cool and mind blowing.


The world ........ is flat (y)




.
 
.................Easy. Look how damn near every other country on this planet has a "stance" with US policies and laws. Guns? That's a big one that other countries have a problem with. Freedom? Apparently some have problems with it. Women being empowered and not having to wear a gown over her whole body? People have something to say about that.......


Am I getting you wrong here?

It sounds like you are saying that this thing from the news article is happening in the US, and you think I am asking why some Brits would care.

It's my understanding this is happening in England, and I don't get why an American would give a damn.

But maybe I am misunderstanding you or maybe I am getting the article wrong. It wouldn't be the first time I got turned around and had to have a fact pointed out ................

............usually followed by me eating a little more crow :whistle:
 
Am I getting you wrong here?

It sounds like you are saying that this thing from the news article is happening in the US, and you think I am asking why some Brits would care.

It's my understanding this is happening in England, and I don't get why an American would give a damn.

But maybe I am misunderstanding you or maybe I am getting the article wrong. It wouldn't be the first time I got turned around and had to have a fact pointed out ................

............usually followed by me eating a little more crow :whistle:

People care what happens in the US. US people care what happens in England. We're definitely not as invested and it doesn't affect us (if it does, it's very little). So, the stakes are low.

However, if you think that something happening in the UK doesn't draw attention and people don't give a damn? Wait until there is another royal wedding or birth. :)

American's give a damn. Not as much as if it were local, but it's more of a concern rather than a fight against it. We had our opinions on Germany letting in refugees. Brexit. On Greece's financial situation. On the price of tea in China (50 cents a cup?! I say cents because I'm drawing a blank on their currency). Next week, it'll be something different.
 
People care what happens in the US. US people care what happens in England. We're definitely not as invested and it doesn't affect us (if it does, it's very little). So, the stakes are low.

However, if you think that something happening in the UK doesn't draw attention and people don't give a damn? Wait until there is another royal wedding or birth. :)

American's give a damn. Not as much as if it were local, but it's more of a concern rather than a fight against it. We had our opinions on Germany letting in refugees. Brexit. On Greece's financial situation. On the price of tea in China (50 cents a cup?! I say cents because I'm drawing a blank on their currency). Next week, it'll be something different.


I get you, and you are correct. I think where the Brits are going with this is that just because an Englishman, or woman, is Press, it doesn't let them off the hook for dealing with leaked classified information. Country first sort of thing, and I can see it to a degree.

A leaker can have his reasons and they could have grounds for the leak and perhaps they don't. I looks like the British Government is telling the Press that they better think it through when someone comes to them with documents that have the word SECRET on them.
 
...... It's my understanding this is happening in England, and I don't get why an American would give a damn. :whistle:......

Because a few of our Congress critters are just smart enough to read and they might read about this and get ideas. And a Congress critter with ideas is more often then not a dangerous thing.
 
America already sends journalists to prison for doing their jobs. /Standing Rock is a perfect example.
 
Because a few of our Congress critters are just smart enough to read and they might read about this and get ideas. And a Congress critter with ideas is more often then not a dangerous thing.

Well, on the one hand, I would be the first to stand up and count the British as our friends, and I am appreciative of their commitment and support. Those guys have bled and died in conflicts with us. So I try not to forget that.

At the same time, I think we gave up on trying to emulate England long ago. We are like Cousins who have some real family issues but when outsiders come around all that it's all in.
 
Top Secret & Classified. I get it. Could be harmful to national security. Some things need leaked, but there will be still be repercussions. Can't have people leaking shit with no consequences. Sometimes, leaks are good and they expose a flaw in the government against it's people. Even then, it's not right. Can't pick and choose what's good to leak and what's not. All or none. Top Secret, Classified. Done. End of story. Regardless of what's in it. Has to be consistent.

It's a complex situation.

I don't know about the laws in the UK, but if you have clearance and leak information, no matter how mundane, you're committing a crime. Someone's going to pay (usually). But locking up the press is a very slippery slope, even if it was set up for good intentions, such as announcing something which could have saved a lot of lives. One thing you find out with a security clearance is that a lot of information deemed secret or above is so mundane and boring, and can easily be argued that it wasn't marked as such for security reasons. Obviously that stuff would most likely not be leaked. But it doesn't take much to abuse what's deemed classified.
 
..........................One thing you find out with a security clearance is that a lot of information deemed secret or above is so mundane and boring, and can easily be argued that it wasn't marked as such for security reasons.......

Until you learn that it's usually not the quality of the information that determines it's classification level, it's the source, (how we learned it), that determines how it must be protected.

It's not about the secret, it's about the method.

Once you realize this you start seeing it all in a different light. And I agree, most of that classified shit is boring as hell.
 
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