That's more uses of Espionage Act for that purpose than under all previous presidential administrations combined.
The prosecution has been seen as a test of the government's use of the Espionage Act to crack down on alleged leakers of national-security secrets.
We saw [Fox News reporter James] Rosen being labeled as co-conspirator label in affidavits; we see the many leak prosecutions including the use of the Espionage Act.
Given that the government has brought six cases against people suspected of leaking classified information, under an administration that has set a record for the use of the Espionage Act, the Associated Press story adds to a growing atmosphere in which working reporters always need to worry that someone is looking over their shoulder while they type.
President Obama has been unprecedented in his use of the Espionage Act to prosecute those whose whistle-blowing he wants to curtail.
Journalists have faced increased threats during the Obama years, both in the government's severe crackdown on leaks and the record use of the Espionage Act to prosecute sources who provide classified information to the media.
But U.S. officials and some commentators said the charges by the DOJ represent a firm stance against what they describe as the illegitimate use of cyber espionage to gain an advantage for companies in competitive markets.
The revelations, and ensuing coverage, shed more light on the Obama administration's aggressive and unprecedented use of the Espionage Act in prosecuting current and former government officials for leaking to journalists.
The Obama administration has faced ample criticism from journalists over its unprecedented use of the Espionage Act to to target news media leaks, as well as over its continued efforts to compel Times reporter James Risen to reveal a source.
To better understand the details of the investigation and specifically the use of the Espionage Act in relation to the release of classified information—I met with Jon Eisenberg at his office in Downtown Oakland.
