Freedom of expression issues

24
Hacks and Spooks: Close Encounters of a Strange Kind By By Prof Richard Lance Prof Richard Lance Keeble, Keeble, University of Lincoln University of Lincoln

Transcript of Freedom of expression issues

Page 1: Freedom of expression issues

Hacks and Spooks: Close Encounters of a Strange Kind

By By Prof Richard Lance Keeble,Prof Richard Lance Keeble,

University of LincolnUniversity of Lincoln

Page 2: Freedom of expression issues

Overview

Spies in popular cultureSpies in popular cultureManning and Snowden revelationsManning and Snowden revelationsThe democratic state and the secret stateThe democratic state and the secret stateWhistleblowers throw a lightWhistleblowers throw a lightThe role of The role of ‘‘official leakersofficial leakers’’The independents…The independents…QuestionsQuestions

Page 3: Freedom of expression issues

Bond and Co

(images removed for copyright reasons)(images removed for copyright reasons)

Page 4: Freedom of expression issues

Manning – and WikiLeaks US Intelligence analyst Bradley Manning US Intelligence analyst Bradley Manning

sends to WikiLeaks video showing US sends to WikiLeaks video showing US Army helicopter in Baghdad killing 14 Army helicopter in Baghdad killing 14 Iraqis (including several children) and two Iraqis (including several children) and two Reuters employers: released on 12 July Reuters employers: released on 12 July 2007 as 2007 as ““Collateral MurderCollateral Murder””

25 July 2010: WikiLeaks releases 25 July 2010: WikiLeaks releases ““Afghan Afghan War logsWar logs”” to to GuardianGuardian, , Der SpiegelDer Spiegel, , New New York TimesYork Times; 75,000 files available on site; 75,000 files available on site

22 October 201022 October 2010””Iraq War logsIraq War logs”” 391, 832 391, 832 documents on WikiLeaks website: reveal documents on WikiLeaks website: reveal use of torture by Iraqi authorities, tally of use of torture by Iraqi authorities, tally of Iraqis shot at military checkpointsIraqis shot at military checkpoints

Page 5: Freedom of expression issues

Manning: more cables – then jailed

29 May 2010: Manning arrested 29 May 2010: Manning arrested 8 November 2010: WikiLeaks 8 November 2010: WikiLeaks

releases 251,287 US State releases 251,287 US State Department cables: half are not Department cables: half are not classified; 6 per cent classified; 6 per cent ““secretsecret””

21 August 2013: jailed for 35 21 August 2013: jailed for 35 yearsyears

Page 6: Freedom of expression issues

Edward Snowden and the NSA revelations May 2013: CIA/NSA computer specialist Ed Snowden May 2013: CIA/NSA computer specialist Ed Snowden

released to released to Guardian, New York Times, Der Spiegel, Le Guardian, New York Times, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Monde, Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCanadian Broadcasting Corporation details of top details of top secret mass surveillance programs by US and British secret mass surveillance programs by US and British intelligence: via PRISM, XKeyscore and Tempora intelligence: via PRISM, XKeyscore and Tempora programsprograms

GCHQ stores for up to 30 days personal communications GCHQ stores for up to 30 days personal communications data flowing out of UK to US computer servers of data flowing out of UK to US computer servers of companies such as Twitter, Google and Facebookcompanies such as Twitter, Google and Facebook

NSA spying on 35 heads of government (including NSA spying on 35 heads of government (including ‘‘alliesallies’’)) Breaking into internet encryption systemsBreaking into internet encryption systems NSA: up to 55,000 employees? Cost $11bn?NSA: up to 55,000 employees? Cost $11bn?

Fled first to Hong Kong: now holed up somewhere in Fled first to Hong Kong: now holed up somewhere in RussiaRussia

Page 7: Freedom of expression issues

‘In the public interest’? Nb Simon Jenkins, Nb Simon Jenkins, Guardian, Guardian, 20 Nov 2013: 20 Nov 2013:

The days of believing our intelligence are overThe days of believing our intelligence are over The newspapers, notably the The newspapers, notably the GuardianGuardian, ,

published less than 1 per cent of material published less than 1 per cent of material judged as clearly in the public interest. This judged as clearly in the public interest. This was after consulting (if not always agreeing was after consulting (if not always agreeing with) security authorities on both sides of the with) security authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. Atlantic.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/days-believing-spy-chiefs-overhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/days-believing-spy-chiefs-over

Alan Rusbridger, editor, told select committee, Alan Rusbridger, editor, told select committee, cconsulted with government officials and onsulted with government officials and intelligence agencies – including the intelligence agencies – including the FBI, GCHQ, FBI, GCHQ, the White House and the Cabinet Office the White House and the Cabinet Office – on – on more than 100 occasionsmore than 100 occasions before the publication of before the publication of storiesstories

Page 8: Freedom of expression issues

‘Saving the security services’? Julian Huppert, Liberal Dem MP for Julian Huppert, Liberal Dem MP for

Cambridge, in the Cambridge, in the GuardianGuardian, 4 December , 4 December 2013:2013:

In six months In six months Guardian Guardian has published only has published only 26 documents from more than 58,000 pieces 26 documents from more than 58,000 pieces received. Would we really have seen received. Would we really have seen Snowden upload these directly on to the Snowden upload these directly on to the internet in a WikiLeaks fashion for all and internet in a WikiLeaks fashion for all and sundry to see and use – unredacted and in sundry to see and use – unredacted and in raw form? The raw form? The Guardian Guardian has saved the has saved the agencies from much greater damage and agencies from much greater damage and embarrassmentembarrassment

Page 9: Freedom of expression issues

Greenwald/Edmonds controversy Glenn Greenwald, to whom Glenn Greenwald, to whom

Snowden entrusted the secret files, Snowden entrusted the secret files, has joined PayPalhas joined PayPal’’s billionaire s billionaire owner Pierre Omidyar in $250 owner Pierre Omidyar in $250 million investigative journalism million investigative journalism project. project.

Sibel Edmonds, whistleblower, of Sibel Edmonds, whistleblower, of boilingfrogspost, claims Snowden boilingfrogspost, claims Snowden documents show links between documents show links between NSA and PayPal…NSA and PayPal…

Page 10: Freedom of expression issues

Two state system

Democratic state: parliament, rule of law, free press, Democratic state: parliament, rule of law, free press, public opinion, human rightspublic opinion, human rights

Secret/Security/Deep State/: not a coherent entity: Secret/Security/Deep State/: not a coherent entity: massive with always competing sections: MI5, MI6 massive with always competing sections: MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, the Cheltenham-based signals spying and GCHQ, the Cheltenham-based signals spying centre, Special Branch and undercover police units – centre, Special Branch and undercover police units – operating outside law operating outside law

US: 16 spy agencies: CIA, NSA, National US: 16 spy agencies: CIA, NSA, National Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial Intelligence Program, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Program, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Naval Intelligence, Air Intelligence Agency, Office of Naval Intelligence, Air Intelligence Agency, Coast Guard AgencyCoast Guard Agency

Secret war strategy :secret armies, special forces; Secret war strategy :secret armies, special forces; secret deployment of drones (targeted assassinations)secret deployment of drones (targeted assassinations)

Page 11: Freedom of expression issues

Secret state privatised Secret state privatised: private security firms; mercenariesSecret state privatised: private security firms; mercenaries Supported by secret, shadow economy: one fifth of global Supported by secret, shadow economy: one fifth of global

GDP held in off-shore banks free from tax: intelligence GDP held in off-shore banks free from tax: intelligence linked companies linked companies (e.g. selling arms, airlines(e.g. selling arms, airlines shipping drugs) shipping drugs)

Size? Impossible to say. UK: £2bn? David Davies on Size? Impossible to say. UK: £2bn? David Davies on Today Today programme, 13 January 2014, said intelligence programme, 13 January 2014, said intelligence accounted for 15 per cent of GDP.accounted for 15 per cent of GDP.

US: Snowden leak in US: Snowden leak in Washington PostWashington Post, August 2013, , August 2013, $52.6 bn for 2013; plus $23 bn for military intelligence $52.6 bn for 2013; plus $23 bn for military intelligence (published following consultations with military officials)(published following consultations with military officials)

Page 12: Freedom of expression issues

How law protects secret state

Official Secrets Act 1911, 1989, Intelligence Official Secrets Act 1911, 1989, Intelligence Services Act of 1993 created Intelligence and Services Act of 1993 created Intelligence and Security Committee; Justice and Security Act Security Committee; Justice and Security Act 2013 allows for secret courts, for instance, to 2013 allows for secret courts, for instance, to consider allegations of torture against M15consider allegations of torture against M15

Defence Advisory Notices – introduced in 1912 Defence Advisory Notices – introduced in 1912 Freedom of Information legislation does not Freedom of Information legislation does not

cover intelligence (cf US where FoI covers cover intelligence (cf US where FoI covers some activities of FBI)some activities of FBI)

Communications Data Bill (dubbed Communications Data Bill (dubbed ‘‘Snoopers Snoopers CharterCharter’’) would require phone and internet ) would require phone and internet companies to collect and store all UK companies to collect and store all UK communications data for 12 months – for access communications data for 12 months – for access by police and security servicesby police and security services

Page 13: Freedom of expression issues

‘Is there anything you’d like to tell us?’ No

Significantly even members of Cabinet Significantly even members of Cabinet nor National Security Council not aware nor National Security Council not aware of GCHQ/NSA mass surveillance of GCHQ/NSA mass surveillance activitiesactivities

No over-sight by ParliamentNo over-sight by Parliament Farce of recent appearance by Farce of recent appearance by ‘‘spymastersspymasters’’ before intelligence before intelligence committee (members chosen by the committee (members chosen by the PM): a PM): a ‘‘grilling that would not have grilling that would not have scared a puppyscared a puppy’’: Liberty: Liberty

Page 14: Freedom of expression issues

Parapolitics: theorising the secret state

Draws from deep conservative-liberal suspicion of Draws from deep conservative-liberal suspicion of government in USgovernment in US

And on European anarchist tradition of hostility to And on European anarchist tradition of hostility to state as oppressive systemstate as oppressive system

Identifies Identifies clandestinity clandestinity as a state attribute: as a state attribute: sustaining illiberal, anti-democratic features of sustaining illiberal, anti-democratic features of system (previously assumed preserve of system (previously assumed preserve of revolutionaries, rebels, criminals)revolutionaries, rebels, criminals)

See: See: Government of the Shadows: Parapolitics Government of the Shadows: Parapolitics and Criminal Sovereigntyand Criminal Sovereignty, edited by Eric , edited by Eric Wilson, London, Pluto Press: 2009Wilson, London, Pluto Press: 2009

The journal The journal Lobster Lobster (www.lobster-(www.lobster-magazine.co.uk) edited by Robin Ramsey. magazine.co.uk) edited by Robin Ramsey. Peter Dale ScottPeter Dale Scott’’s blog at s blog at www.thesleuthjournal.comwww.thesleuthjournal.com

Page 15: Freedom of expression issues

Secret state – and whistleblowers 1971: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (seecret bombing of Cambodia 1971: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (seecret bombing of Cambodia

and Laosand Laos 1975: Philip Agee and 1975: Philip Agee and ““The CompanyThe Company”” 1976: GCHQ revealed in 1976: GCHQ revealed in Time OutTime Out: led to ABC trial: led to ABC trial 1983: Sarah Tisdall – and cruise missile deployment1983: Sarah Tisdall – and cruise missile deployment 1985: Clive Ponting and the Belgrano sinking1985: Clive Ponting and the Belgrano sinking 1988: former M15 agent Peter (1988: former M15 agent Peter (SpycatcherSpycatcher) Wright: plot to oust Harold Wilson) Wright: plot to oust Harold Wilson 1997: David Shayler: British attempt to assassinate Col Gaddafi in 1996; jailed 1997: David Shayler: British attempt to assassinate Col Gaddafi in 1996; jailed

for six months 2002for six months 2002 Katherine Gun and US intimidation of states prior to attack on Iraq 2003Katherine Gun and US intimidation of states prior to attack on Iraq 2003

Page 16: Freedom of expression issues

Pressure on whistleblowers 2007 David Keogh, Whitehall communications 2007 David Keogh, Whitehall communications

office, Leo Ooffice, Leo O’’Connor, former research to Labour Connor, former research to Labour MP, jailed under OSA in 2007 for disclosing MP, jailed under OSA in 2007 for disclosing contents of minutes of White House meeting contents of minutes of White House meeting between Blair and Bush on 16 April 2004. between Blair and Bush on 16 April 2004.

2013 Peter Francis, undercover cop with National 2013 Peter Francis, undercover cop with National Public Order Intelligence Unit, revealed activities Public Order Intelligence Unit, revealed activities to Rob Evans, Paul Lewis of the to Rob Evans, Paul Lewis of the GuardianGuardian

Channel 4 asked to hand over documents on Channel 4 asked to hand over documents on Francis to policeFrancis to police

NSA planned to investigate 4,000 NSA planned to investigate 4,000 ‘‘insider threatsinsider threats’’ in 2013in 2013

See See http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/29/revehttp://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/29/revealed-the-black-budget-for-16-u-s-spy-agencies/aled-the-black-budget-for-16-u-s-spy-agencies/

Eight whistleblowers currently facing jail in US Eight whistleblowers currently facing jail in US over Felony Act allegationsover Felony Act allegations

Page 17: Freedom of expression issues

Other sources: National archives etc Release of information from National Release of information from National

Archives: MI5, MI6 and Special Branch Archives: MI5, MI6 and Special Branch (listed Confidential, Secret or Top Secret) (listed Confidential, Secret or Top Secret) E.g. 2008 George Orwell, Koestler, Auden, E.g. 2008 George Orwell, Koestler, Auden, SpenderSpender

30 year rule on Cabinet/government info; 50 30 year rule on Cabinet/government info; 50 years on intelligence; 70 years for Dr David years on intelligence; 70 years for Dr David Kelly documents ruled by Hutton InquiryKelly documents ruled by Hutton Inquiry

But Foreign and Commonwealth Office has But Foreign and Commonwealth Office has hoarded 1.2m files dating back to 1840: in hoarded 1.2m files dating back to 1840: in breach of Public Records Actbreach of Public Records Act

Official histories: Jeffery on MI5; Wilkinson Official histories: Jeffery on MI5; Wilkinson on D Notice committeeon D Notice committee

Autobiographies/biographies/diaries of Autobiographies/biographies/diaries of politicians, journalists and intelligence politicians, journalists and intelligence officials: Robert Gatesofficials: Robert Gates’’ autobiography autobiography Duty Duty reveals secret strategy to remove Karzai in reveals secret strategy to remove Karzai in 2009 elections2009 elections

Page 18: Freedom of expression issues

Spooks – and official leaks Roy Greenslade, media blogger at Roy Greenslade, media blogger at GuardianGuardian, : , : ‘‘Most tabloid newspapers – or even newspapers Most tabloid newspapers – or even newspapers in general – are playthings of MI5in general – are playthings of MI5 ’’

Journalist (with Journalist (with ObserverObserver and and EconomistEconomist), former ), former MI6 officer and Soviet spy Kim Philby once said MI6 officer and Soviet spy Kim Philby once said MI6 had penetrated MI6 had penetrated ‘‘English mass media on wide English mass media on wide scalescale’’, running agents in the , running agents in the Daily TelegraphDaily Telegraph, , Sunday TimesSunday Times, , Daily MirrorDaily Mirror, , Financial TimesFinancial Times and the and the ObserverObserver

Spy novelist John le Carré, who worked for MI6 Spy novelist John le Carré, who worked for MI6 between 1960 and 1964, claimed British secret between 1960 and 1964, claimed British secret service then controlled large parts of press – just service then controlled large parts of press – just as they may do todayas they may do today

Represented in press as “intelligence”, “security”, Represented in press as “intelligence”, “security”, “Whitehall”, “Home Office”: “Whitehall”, “Home Office”:

Page 19: Freedom of expression issues

Journos and the fog of intelligence Defence correspondents largely Defence correspondents largely

leakers of the Official Line (leakers of the Official Line (Daily Daily MailMail, , TelegraphTelegraph, , TimesTimes, , Sunday Sunday TimesTimes))

Knightley says at least one Knightley says at least one member of national newspaper member of national newspaper staff close links with intelligencestaff close links with intelligence

Media men with ties to Media men with ties to intelligence: George Orwell, Ian intelligence: George Orwell, Ian Fleming, David Astor, Hugh Fleming, David Astor, Hugh Cudlipp, Cecil KingCudlipp, Cecil King

Page 20: Freedom of expression issues

Independents… Glenn Greenwald, Ian Cobain, Paul Lashmar, Glenn Greenwald, Ian Cobain, Paul Lashmar,

Richard Norton-Taylor, Phillip Knightley, Richard Norton-Taylor, Phillip Knightley, Stephen Dorril, Mark Curtis, Julie Stephen Dorril, Mark Curtis, Julie Wheelwright, Stephen Grey, Martin Bright, Wheelwright, Stephen Grey, Martin Bright, Tom BowerTom Bower

tomdispatch.com (Tom Engelhardt and Nick tomdispatch.com (Tom Engelhardt and Nick Turse)Turse)

Intelnews.org (Joseph Fitsanakis)Intelnews.org (Joseph Fitsanakis) Cryptome (set up by John Young, 1996: portal Cryptome (set up by John Young, 1996: portal

for intelligence-related leaks)for intelligence-related leaks) Robin Ramsey (editor of Robin Ramsey (editor of LobsterLobster)) Debkafile (Mossad?)Debkafile (Mossad?) Globalresearch.ca (Michel Chossudovsky)Globalresearch.ca (Michel Chossudovsky)

Page 21: Freedom of expression issues

In – and out – of Obama’s “court”

TrustedTrusted 1977 Carl Bernstein in 1977 Carl Bernstein in Rolling Stone Rolling Stone

revealed 400 top US journalists with revealed 400 top US journalists with close ties to intelligenceclose ties to intelligence

Bob Woodward: famous for his Bob Woodward: famous for his involvement in the Watergate involvement in the Watergate revelationsrevelations

Seymour Hersh: famous for My Lai Seymour Hersh: famous for My Lai expose and Abu Ghraib revelationsexpose and Abu Ghraib revelations

But currently seven whistleblowers But currently seven whistleblowers charged under Felony Act for charged under Felony Act for endangering countryendangering country

Page 22: Freedom of expression issues

Questions To what extent does an awareness of the secret state To what extent does an awareness of the secret state

change your understanding of British democracy?change your understanding of British democracy? Are you surprised at the extent of the power of intelligence Are you surprised at the extent of the power of intelligence

over corporate media?over corporate media? To what extent do the revelations about mass intelligence To what extent do the revelations about mass intelligence

surveillance of internet and phone traffic threaten surveillance of internet and phone traffic threaten investigative journalism which depends on confidentiality investigative journalism which depends on confidentiality of sources?of sources?

Do you think a secret state is necessary Do you think a secret state is necessary ““to preserve our to preserve our freedomsfreedoms”” – or is it too powerful – and out of control? – or is it too powerful – and out of control?

Will you consider James Bond in a different light now?Will you consider James Bond in a different light now?

Page 23: Freedom of expression issues

Bibliography Dorril, Stephen (1993) Dorril, Stephen (1993) The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990sThe Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s , London, , London,

HeinemannHeinemann Dorril, Stephen (2000) Dorril, Stephen (2000) MI6: Fifty years of special operationsMI6: Fifty years of special operations, London: Fourth Estate.Jeffery, Keith , London: Fourth Estate.Jeffery, Keith

(2010) (2010) MI6: The history of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949MI6: The history of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949 London, Bloomsbury London, Bloomsbury Keeble, Richard (2012) Keeble, Richard (2012) Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four and the spooksOrwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four and the spooks, in Keeble, Richard Lance , in Keeble, Richard Lance

(ed.) (ed.) Orwell TodayOrwell Today, Bury St Edmunds: Abramis pp 151-163, Bury St Edmunds: Abramis pp 151-163 Keeble, Richard (2010) Hacks and spooks – close encounters of a strange kind: A critical history of Keeble, Richard (2010) Hacks and spooks – close encounters of a strange kind: A critical history of

the links between mainstream journalists and the intelligence services in the UK, in the links between mainstream journalists and the intelligence services in the UK, in The Political; The Political; Economy of Media and PowerEconomy of Media and Power, edited by Jeffery Klaehn, Peter Lang pp 87-111, edited by Jeffery Klaehn, Peter Lang pp 87-111

Knightley, Phillip (1986) Knightley, Phillip (1986) The second oldest profession: The spy as bureaucrat, patriot, fantasist and The second oldest profession: The spy as bureaucrat, patriot, fantasist and whorewhore, London: Andre Deutsch, London: Andre Deutsch

Lashmar, Paul and Oliver, James (1998) Lashmar, Paul and Oliver, James (1998) BritainBritain’’s Secret Propaganda Wars Secret Propaganda War 1948-19771948-1977, Stroud: , Stroud: SuttonSutton

Leigh, David (1989) Leigh, David (1989) The Wilson PlotThe Wilson Plot, London, Heinemann, second edition, London, Heinemann, second edition Pentagaon PapersPentagaon Papers: see http://www.archives.gov/research/pentagon-papers/: see http://www.archives.gov/research/pentagon-papers/ Rose, David (2007) Spies and their lies, Rose, David (2007) Spies and their lies, New StatesmanNew Statesman, 27 September , 27 September Todd, Paul and Bloch, Jonathan (2003: 106) in Todd, Paul and Bloch, Jonathan (2003: 106) in Global Intelligence: The WorldGlobal Intelligence: The World’’s Secret Services s Secret Services

TodayToday, London, Zed Books , London, Zed Books

Page 24: Freedom of expression issues

http://www.fas.org/irp/official.htmlhttp://www.fas.org/irp/official.html http://www.globalresearch.ca/ten-years-ago-the-political-assasination-of-dr-david-kelly/5342952http://www.globalresearch.ca/ten-years-ago-the-political-assasination-of-dr-david-kelly/5342952 http://voices.yahoo.com/the-16-spy-agencies-usa-453349.htmlhttp://voices.yahoo.com/the-16-spy-agencies-usa-453349.html