When the Press Makes Life or Death Decisions
The Associated Press recently ran a long story about Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared while in Iran. Levinson later showed up in Internet photos suggesting he was a hostage. The AP story made clear that the former agent had a long relationship with the CIA and was likely working on a CIA project when he went to Iran.
That means the AP story was a potential death sentence for Levinson. How did AP decide whether to release such dangerous information? Well, here’s what its executive editor said (emphasis added):In the absence of any solid information about Levinson’s whereabouts, it has been impossible to judge whether publication would put him at risk. It isalmost certain that his captors already know about the CIA connection but without knowing exactly who the captors are, it is difficult to know whether publication of Levinson’s CIA mission would make a difference to them. That does not mean there is no risk. But with no more leads to follow, we have concluded that the importance of the story justifies publication.
Short version: Unless someone proves this story will kill Levinson, it’s too good to sit on.
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