On June 17, ACS hosted a panel at the 2006 National Convention exploring the consequences of leaks of confidential and classified information by government employees and potential related prosecution. Panelists discussed government attempts to prosecute leakers and assertions that it can prosecute members of the press who report based on classified information. The panel also examined whether greater protections should be afforded journalists in protecting sources and the effect of leak prosecutions on debate in a democratic society.

From left to right, panelists included:

• Judge Stephen Reinhardt, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Jeralyn Merritt, Law Offices of Jeralyn E. Merritt; Founder, TalkLeft.com
• Maimon Schwarzschild, Professor of Law, University of San Diego School of Law
• Geoffrey Stone, Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School (not pictured)
• Laura Handman, David Wright Tremaine LLP (not pictured)