The Espionage Reform Act

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Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Ro Khanna have introduced the Espionage Act Reform Act in the congress to “reaffirm first amendment protections for journalists and ensure whistle-blowers can effectively report waste, fraud and abuse to congress.” 

The Espionage Act Assange has been the centre of debate since Julian Assange’s arrest in the UK. Assange is currently on trial which will decide whether he will be extradited to the US, where is wanted on 18 charges of attempted hacking and breaches of the Espionage Act. 

The Espionage Act, as it currently stands, provides the US government powers to prosecute journalists and whistle-blowers who reveal sensitive information. The Reform Act will ensure only personnel with security clearances can be prosecuted for improperly revealing classified information. According to its proposers, the Reform Act will protect the right of members of the press who “solicit, obtain or publish government secrets from prosecution.”

Additionally, the Reform act indicates it will shield cyber security experts, like HD Moore -who was warned by the law enforcement that he may be vulnerable to prosecution under the Espionage Act because he participated in a project which sought to uncover weaknesses across the internet - from prosecution when they publish research showing discoveries of government backdoors in encryption algorithms.

By Swarnim Agrahari