Defend WikiLeaks or lose free speech – Dan Gillmor – Salon.com

Dan Gillmor has got it right. This is a moment of Silence of the Lambs.

Media organizations with even half a clue need to recognize what is at stake at this point. It's more than immediate self-interest, namely their own ability to do their jobs. It's about the much more important result if they can't. If journalism can routinely be shut down the way the government wants to do this time, we'll have thrown out free speech in this lawless frenzy.

Like Clay Shirky, I'm deeply ambivalent about some of what WikiLeaks does, and what this affair portends. Governments need to keep some secrets, and laws matter. So does the First Amendment, and right now it's under an attack that could shred it.

via salon.com

Make sure to read the whole thing.

Posted via email from The Marc Cooper Files