Military Targets Independent Journalism’s Right to Free Press

Stewart N. Thorpe

The classic frog in the boiler metaphor: if you immediately turn the temperature of the water to boiling, a frog will jump out. However, if you gradually turn the temperature up a little more, then a little more, pacing patiently step by step, the frog will remain in the water and boil to death.

Truthout is a full-service independent news agency with the core mission to educate as “the biggest impediment to responsible decision-making is lack of information.” They are supported by readers, not advertisers.

They are being subpoenaed for quoting First Lieutenant Ehren Watada. Professional journalism code of ethics and past respectful tradition between the government and the press dictates that the journalists role is NOT in the courtroom for cases involving people who are sources. There are a few very rare exceptions when there is absolutely no other way left to attain information and only if that information is vital.

Even the military court determined in a hearing earlier that there was ample evidence already to charge Watada for “intentionally missing his deployment, contemptuous speech toward officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer, and proceed with a general court-martial.” In other words, the military prosecutor has absolutely no need for any information that Truthout possesses.

Then why do it?

Simple.

It is intimidation of people to deal with the press as sources and intimidation against the press itself of criticizing or investigating certain areas and policies. This is just further evidence of an established trend of the Bush Adminstration and the Pentagon of further hostility and tactics against the free press. They see Truthout.org and think they will be an easy target to start out with against the press and start a future precedent.

Don’t make a mistake about it. This is an assault on the liberties and functionality of the free press.

Liberties are not lost usually overnight. They are usually slowly chipped away. Every chip sets a precedent. Every chip makes the next chip easier to come off.