Stop the media blackout on Bradley Manning’s trial!

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Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

Despite the unprecedented and historic nature of Army whistleblower Bradley Manning’s trial, journalists have thus far been banned from recording the proceedings. Because Americans more commonly get their news through television than from any other media source, this presents a major barrier to the American public staying informed on a trial that will profoundly affect the future of our country.

It’s outrageous that the American public is being denied the right to view the trial of U.S. vs. Bradley Manning. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel was appointed by President Obama to ensure civilian oversight of the U.S. military.

Sign our petition demanding that he ensure journalists can record Bradley Manning’s court martial proceedings! When you sign our petition, our e-mail system will send a message on your behalf to the office of Secretary of Defense.

Petition to allow journalists to record Bradley Manning's trial

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A message for Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel:

According to the PEW research institute, Americans get most of their news on television. United States vs. Bradley Manning is one of the most important trials in America today, and covers such fundamental issues as the American public’s right to know what government officials do in our name with our resources, and whether our military is following international human rights law. The judge has determined that most of the proceedings are safe for the public to attend, and so it’s outrageous that journalists are not being allowed to record this historic trial in order that Americans everywhere can stay informed of what happens in the courtroom. As the Presidentially appointed office responsible for civilian oversight of the U.S. military, the Secretary of Defense should take responsibility for ensuring that these proceedings are accorded as high level of public accessibility as befits the historic and unprecedented nature of the proceedings themselves. We therefore call upon Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to act immediately to ensure journalists may use electronic recording in the press room.

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It’s a fundamental American principle that the legitimacy of our court system is bolstered through public and media access. This is not unlike how the legitimacy of our government itself relies on remaining accountable first and foremost to the American people who elect its leaders.

President Obama has been a proponent of transparency as fundamental to governmental legitimacy. On May 19, 2011 he said, “In the 21st Century, information is power; the truth cannot be hidden; and the legitimacy of governments will ultimately depend on active and informed citizens.”

As New York Times reporter David Carr wrote last month, the proceedings of US vs. Bradley Manning have been shrouded in a “veil of secrecy.” Neither court documents nor transcripts are being made publicly available until weeks after they are filed, if ever. The first step to improving the fairness and legitimacy of Bradley Manning’s trial would be to allow digital recordings by which journalists, scholars and the public can analyze and evaluate these unprecedented proceedings.

The Bradley Manning Support Network has worked to document the many injustices in the prosecution of three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Bradley Manning, including his unlawful pretrial punishment, denial of speedy trial, and the ridiculous charge of “aiding the enemy,” despite any evidence that Bradley’s actions damaged U.S. national security. While we continue advocating for whistleblower Bradley Manning’s rights in all areas, we believe that ensuring full media access to the trial will help immensely in promoting interest in the case among the general American public.