Reconsider Prosecution of Journalist: Press Group
The International Press Institute has called on Israel’s attorney general to reconsider an indictment against an Israeli investigative reporter for acquiring classified documents.
Uri Blau, a reporter for the Israeli daily Haaretz, published an article in 2008 using classified documents given to him by Anat Kamm, who copied them from a superior’s computer during her service in the Israeli military.
Kamm is serving a 4 1/2-year prison term for her role in obtaining the documents and turning them over to Blau.
The institute in a letter to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said that prosecuting Blau, who faces a seven-year prison sentence for possession of the documents, would “undermine press freedom in general and investigative journalism in particular,” and would “set a grave precedent for the future of Israeli journalism, especially investigative reporting.”
“It is our understanding that Uri Blau handled the leaked information with care, using it only to write stories that were in the public interest,” the institute wrote. “The documents in Mr. Blau’s possession were not republished far and wide. Even if, as you suggest, the ‘potential for damage in the unprotected possession of the documents was enormous,’ it remained just that — potential damage. Mr. Blau did not share or transfer the documents, and has not been accused of having done so.
“Moreover,” the letter said, “the articles he wrote using the information were even cleared by the military censor prior to publication.”
The institute wrote that in Blau’s case, the documents were used solely to serve a strong public interest.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
