United States President Barack Obama spoke today at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington where he focused on the use of drones, closing Guantanamo bay, new policies for the “war on terror,” press leaks, and free speech. He took a large portion of his speech regarding counter-terrorism policy to address the criticism he has faced in his previous and current terms for condemning journalists who reported leaked material.
In recent years, the Obama administration has pursued several journalists who have used leaked materials in reports. Current investigations by the Department of Justice chasing such leaks have resulted in disapproval of the administration’s conduct due to intrusion and censorship issues. The Department of Justice seized records from editors and reporters at The Associated Press about a Yemen-based bomb plot, while at the same time publicly labeling a Fox News reporter as “potentially being an ‘aider and abettor and/or co-conspirator” to the crime of unveiling secret information in his reports on North Korea according to CNN.
Criticism surrounding his administration's investigation of national security leaks is nothing new, but the President spent time in his speech today to calm these tensions and discuss media tension and security issues. "I'm troubled by the possibility that leak investigations may chill the investigative journalism that holds government accountable," Obama said regarding counterterrorism objectives and the job of the media according to Reuters. He made it a point to communicate his comprehension and support of the freedom of the press in the essence of democracy, while expressing his concern about reports where journalists leak information that could compromise national security, military pursuits, and risk intelligence and military officers.
In order to address this issue, Obama said in his speech that he has directed Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct a review of Department of Justice guidelines for these investigations involving journalists and report back by July 12th. In this review Holder will work to disclose both the concerns of media groups as well as involved government officials.