The Bradley Manning trial has been cloaked in secrecy. No audio or video recordings allowed; no transcripts permitted.
Glenn Greenwald and the group he recently co-founded, the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) have now uncloaked some of what transpires in the court.
This morning, FPF posted an audio recording of Manning's full statement before the court two weeks ago.
From the Guardian's Comment is Free Section:
Finally: hear Bradley Manning in his own voice
The court-martial proceeding of Bradley Manning has, rather ironically, been shrouded in extreme secrecy, often exceeding even that which prevails at Guantanamo military commissions. This secrecy prompted the Center for Constitutional Rights to commence formal legal action on behalf of several journalists and activists, including myself, to compel greater transparency. One particularly oppressive rule governing the Manning trial has barred not only all video or audio recordings of the proceedings, but also any photographs being taken of Manning or even transcripts made of what is said in court. Combined with the prohibition on all press interviews with him, this extraordinary secrecy regime has meant that, in the two-and-a-half years since his arrest, the world has been prevented, literally, from hearing Manning's voice. That changes today.
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Greenwald goes on to post excerpts of Manning's statement.
Freedom of the Press Foundation Publishes Leaked Audio of Bradley Manning’s Statement
Whatever your opinion on Manning's actions, he deserves a transparent trial.