It wasn't necessary to ultimately compel Risen to have a chilling effect on journalism, much like it wasn't necessary to ultimately imprison Thomas Drake for th

It wasn't necessary to ultimately compel Risen to have a chilling effect on journalism, much like it wasn't necessary to ultimately imprison Thomas Drake for the rest of his life to have a chilling effect on IC employees who seek to expose waste, fraud, and abuse. I agree with your perspective on the wisdom of Risen's reporting, but still think we should celebrate the heroic act of journalists protecting their sources even when they're on the hot-seat. One doesn't necessarily have to be indicted or prosecuted for people to feel as though their rights are threatened. Needlessly forceful/aggressive FBI raids (Binney), wiretapping press organizations (AP), endless secret grand juries (WL), and border searches (Poitras) are all examples of the many ways USG has intimidated actual and potential whistleblowers and reporters.