My understanding is that the legal system figured out a compromise for this type of issue during the Nixon trials. A leaker who signed NDAs and clearance forms

My understanding is that the legal system figured out a compromise for this type of issue during the Nixon trials. A leaker who signed NDAs and clearance forms and doesn't go through the proper whistleblowing channels (possibly for good reasons) is still legally on the hook. However, the compromise is that the people they leak to are legally in the clear, which would (theoretically) prevent the government using security to silence the free press.