The Washington Post, using information leaked by Edward Snowden broke a major story on how the National Security Agency is violating the privacy of thousands of people against the rules – and all other major media are playing catch-up.
We blogged about it in detail this morning in “A massive story: NSA broke rules on privacy thousands of times”
It is vitally important information. We need to know what the government is doing for us and to us.
All other media outlets are now playing catch-up to The Post.
When major media have the same item on prominent display on the same day, no one can escape how important it is.
The coverage in the Washington Post is comprehensive and includes graphs and charts showing just how bad the situation is.
In NSA broke privacy rules thousands of times per year, audit finds
Barton Gellman writes:
“The National Security Agency has broken privacy rules or overstepped its legal authority thousands of times each year since Congress granted the agency broad new powers in 2008, according to an internal audit and other top-secret documents.
“Most of the infractions involve unauthorized surveillance of Americans or foreign intelligence targets in the United States, both of which are restricted by statute and executive order.
This news highlights in BIG BOLDFACE TYPE the desperate need for a federal shield law to protect anonymous sources.
President Obama has prosecuted more government whistleblowers than all other presidents combined. Journalists need protection from him.