Much flailing about the last two days about Ms. McCarthy and her relationship (or not – ahem) with the press, whether the press has a right to do this or that, and how do we fix the situation? For my $.02:

• Let the press do what they do. By all means. The more open and free it is the better. Nothing wrong with extolling the virtues of another era (Eisenhower telling the press when D-Day was and them not reporting it early) but no sense in getting worked up if they don’t oblige you.

• Once found and prosecuted, actually punish leakers. Lots of damaging leaks these last few years, but precious few prosecutions. The result? More people feel that leaking isn’t all that because no one gets in trouble. Want to see the wellspring of unauthorized disclosures dry up? Start sending leakers to the big house.

No one to leak = no leaks to publish. Does it get any simpler?

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.