No Limits to Freedom of the Press?

[Commentary] In the case of James Risen and the appealed subpoena over his decision to not reveal his source who provided him with classified information, the question stands: Who is to judge whether the publication of state secrets harms national security? Should each reporter or publisher be free to make this decision? If yes, who qualifies these days as a reporter or publisher? As long as one grants that the United States' security requires that the state be able to keep some secrets, the question stands: should there be some limitations on the freedom of the press and who and how will determine what these ought to be?

[Amitai Etzioni is a Professor International Relations at George Washington University]