A Century of Repression: The Espionage Act and Freedom of the Press

by Ralph Engelman, Carey Shenkman

Overview

A Century of Repression offers an unprecedented and panoramic history of the use of the Espionage Act of 1917 as the most important yet least understood law threatening freedom of the press in modern American history. It details government use of the Act to control information about U.S. military and foreign policy during the two World Wars, the Cold War, and the War on Terror. The Act has provided cover for the settling of political scores, illegal break-ins, and prosecutorial misconduct.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780252086632
Publisher:	University of Illinois Press
Publication date:	10/04/2022
Series:	The History of Media and Communication
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	676,366
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ralph Engelman is senior professor of journalism and communication studies at Long Island University, Brooklyn, and faculty coordinator of the George Polk Awards. He is the author of Friendlyvision: Fred Friendly and the Rise and Fall of Television Journalism. Carey Shenkman is a constitutional lawyer and litigator focusing on freedom of expression and transparency. He serves on the panel of experts of Columbia University’s Global Freedom of Expression Program.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1 Targeting the Opposition: WWI and WWII

Chapter 1 "A Firm Hand of Stern Repression" 13

Chapter 2 Enter Hoover and Baldwin 38

Chapter 3 The Ambivalence of Francis Biddle 61

Part 2 Criminalizing Leaks: The Cold War

Chapter 4 Amerasia 89

Chapter 5 "The Most Dangerous Man in America" 115

Chapter 6 WarGames 138

Part 3 Policing Digital Journalism: The War on Terror

Chapter 7 Co-Conspirators 173

Chapter 8 Asylum 197

Chapter 9 Enemy of the People 225

Conclusion 249

Notes 271

Index 313

Editorial Reviews

"A timely and compelling “biography” of the Espionage Act, vividly told through the harrowing stories of whistleblowers, government employees, policy consultants and journalists, from prominent socialist Eugene Debs to whistleblower Edward Snowden. " —Los Angeles Review of Books

"Engelman and Shenkman’s compelling history should inform deliberations about the roles of secrecy and publicity in our digital world for some time to come." —American Journalism

"An impressive piece of both legal and journalistic history." —Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

"Carey Shenkman and Ralph Engelman's study of the history, law, and implications of these recent abuses of the Espionage Act is needed urgently, if we are to remain truly a democratic republic."—Daniel Ellsberg

"This book could not be more timely. . . . This comprehensive look at its history is an enlightening read for students of journalism history, and, in fact, anyone who wants to understand what is at stake for journalists." —National Journal of Communication

“A wonderful, detailed history of developments around the Espionage Act and the attempt by government to control expression within a democratic society. Of interest to anyone who is interested in government’s attempt to control information.”—David S. Allen, author of Democracy, Inc.: The Press Law in the Corporate Rationalization of the Public Sphere

From the Publisher