And what does this do to whistle blowers?

June 15, 2000

List:

Anyone got a copy of the actual wording of this?

Gretchen

List owner

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Reno: Leak law should not be used against media

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- Attorney General Janet Reno Thursday

said any federal law making leaks of classified information to the

news media a felony should not be used against reporters.

Reno opposed parts of proposed legislation in a closed-door Senate

hearing Wednesday. The hearing also included FBI Director Louis Freeh

and CIA Director Tenet.

Sponsored by Sen. Shelby, R-Ala., chairman of the Senate

Intelligence Committee, the legislation would make a leak

of " national defense information " punishable by up to three years in

prison and a $10,000 fine.

Speaking to reporters at her weekly news conference Thursday, she

said she doesn't oppose leak legislation " that will be useful, "

but " I think everyone wants to focus on appropriate First Amendment

concerns. "

Reno also expressed doubts about some language in the proposed

legislation, adding, " What does 'national defense information' mean? "

She said Congress should make sure that its final bill does not allow

bureaucrats to " overclassify " in a way that would limit the ability

to report on " information that should truly be in the public domain. "

Nor should improperly briefed people be prosecuted if they

inadvertently leak information, she said.

However, " I think prosecution can be...a very great deterrent " in

some cases, Reno said. She singled out leaks that " reveal sources and

methods and expose people's lives to danger. "

As for reporters, Reno pointed to the example of her own mother. Both

Reno's parents were long-time reporters in the Miami area.

When her mother refused to reveal a source for a story, despite

orders from a state judge, the judge told her to show up in court the

next morning and " to bring her toothbrush. " Her mother did so, Reno

said, but the judge relented at the last moment and did not jail her

for contempt.

The attorney general said reporters could be " stubborn. "

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