p2p news / p2pnet: "Reporters who write about government surveillance could be prosecuted under proposed legislation that would solidify the administration’s eavesdropping authority, according to some legal analysts who are concerned about dramatic changes in U.S. law," says an Associated Press story.

The subject is a draft bill principally sponsored by senator Mike DeWine but, "It in no way applies to reporters - in any way, shape or form," Mike Dawson, a senior policy adviser to DeWine, is quoted as saying. "If a technical fix is necessary, it will be made."

The existing take would, "add to the criminal penalties for anyone who ‘intentionally discloses information identifying or describing’ the Bush administration’s terrorist surveillance program or any other eavesdropping program conducted under a 1978 surveillance law," says AP.

"Under the boosted penalties, those found guilty could face fines of up to $1 million, 15 years in jail or both."

Co-sponsors are senators Olympia Snowe, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

"Existing U.S. law makes it a crime to disclose classified information to an unauthorized person, generally putting the burden on government officials to protect the information," says the story, adding:

"But a special provision exists to provide added protections for highly classified electronic - or ’signals’ - intelligence. That would include U.S. intelligence codes or systems used to break them."

Also See:
Associated Press - Reporters Exempt From Eavesdropping Bill, March 10, 2006

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