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Profs and Pints: National Security vs. Press Freedom

Profs and Pints presents: "National Security vs. Press Freedom," with Gary Ross, assistant professor at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, former supervisory special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, and author of Who Watches the Watchmen?

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution declares that the government shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press. The Espionage Act, however, criminalizes the publication of certain classified information. How can we reconcile the government's desire to withhold some information from the public in the interests of national security and the media's desire to disclose information to provide oversight and promote informed debate?

Using historical examples of leaks over the past half century, Professor Gary Ross will discuss his research regarding journalists motivations and justifications for disclosing classified information, as well as the harm to national security perceived by government officials. He also will talk about government efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosures, including legislation, criminal prosecution, and some actions through which agencies might have exceeded their statutory authority. Finally, he will discuss whether we can find a middle ground that doesn't seek to eliminate all leaks, but reduces those leaks perceived to be the most harmful to national security.

Ross is a former supervisory special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. During an assignment at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, he provided oversight for the national unauthorized disclosure program and conducted investigations of disclosures of classified information. He is the author of Who Watches the Watchmen? The Conflict Between National Security and Freedom of the Press, and has spoken on the issues covered by his talk before federal agencies, the American Bar Association, and the Associated Press. (Advance tickets: $12. Doors: $15, save $2 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later. Please allow yourself adequate time to place orders and be seated and settled in.)