Protection of sources is essential in both intelligence and journalism. My fictional authorities for this principle are Poul Anderson's Ensign Flandry for intelligence and Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy for journalism.
Ensign Flandry deduces that his mentor, Commander Abrams, withheld intelligence about an imminent enemy attack to protect his source. Abrams, for his part, thanks God that Flandry was present to resist the attack.
A defense lawyer helped by a journalist presents evidence that could only have been obtained illegally but it is valid evidence and the source is protected so I would like to read a novel about a journalist in Archopolis who exposes scandals in Terran Naval Intelligence or maybe a reporter in a period when the Time Patrol operates openly will allege that the Patrol manipulates history for subversive ends. After all, the organization serves not humanity but our successors.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Human beings what they are, flawed and fallible, you can bet there will be scandals and abuses of power by some in Imperial Naval Intelligence. As we see in A KNIGHT OF GHOSTS AND SHADOWS, when Merseia used the confusion within the Empire during the civil war after Josip's death to plant its agents within the Intelligence Corps.
Ad astra! Sean
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