The Big Chill a Nieman Watchdog Project

The Obama administration is operating amid unprecedented secrecy—while attacking journalists trying to tell the public what they need to know.

Kiriakou: Obama administration’s win on government secrecy

Former C.I.A. Officer Pleads Guilty in Leak Case

WikiLeaks Rally: Austin G Mackell's statement, 6 Oct'12

Austin G Mackell’s statement read at Oct 6 rally for #Assange & #WikiLeaks

For those of you who haven’t heard the story, I’m a freelance journalist who’s also faced the wrath of a foreign government in the course of doing my work. Whilst attempting to interview a union leader in the town of Mahalla, my colleagues and I were mobbed and arrested. Three days later we were released on bail, facing charges of “incitement”. For six months my family, friends, union, and thousands of other supporters in Egypt, Australia and elsewhere campaigned hard. At the same time as this, the embassy staff here in Cairo made constant efforts on my behalf. Nothing happened. I stayed on a travel ban – stuck — with the threat of jail hanging over my head. They had me right where they wanted me. The foreign minister, Bob Carr, was conspicuous in his absence, clearly wanting nothing to do with the case.