WAR ON JOURNALISM

In a new report, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union warn that "large-scale surveillance is seriously hampering U.S.-based journalists and lawyers in their work." The report is based on interviews with dozens of reporters and lawyers. They describe a media climate where journalists take cumbersome security steps that slows down their reporting. Sources are afraid of talking, as aggressive prosecutions scare government officials into staying silent, even about issues that are unclassified.

For lawyers, the threat of surveillance is stoking fears they will be unable to protect a client's right to privacy. Some defendants are afraid of speaking openly to their own counsel, undermining a lawyer's ability provide the best possible defense. Democracy Now speaks to Alex Sinha, author of the report, "With Liberty to Monitor All: How Large-Scale U.S. Surveillance is Harming Journalism, Law, and American Democracy,” and to national security reporter Jeremy Scahill.