Whistleblower's ALA Speech Now Being Censored by the FBI

Bassem YoussefOn December 28th, I blogged about FBI Counterterrorism whistleblower Bassem Youssef, and his intention to speak at the American Library Association conference this Saturday, January 12. Since that time, Mr. Youssef has been informed by his managers that he should be very careful about what he says regarding the Bureau's deficiencies and missteps in the War on Terror.


According to a letter sent to the Executive Director of the ALA's Washington Office by Mr. Youssef's attorney Stephen Kohn, The FBI has sent a "clear warning" to Mr. Youssef regarding the content of his speech, and further, has instructed Mr. Youssef to follow strict censorship rules -- rules which he is not allowed to share with anyone outside of the Bureau. Due to threats from FBI managers and these secret censorship requirements, he is now unable to give a speech at the conference. Rather than give a prepared speech, Mr. Youssef will only be available to answer questions from the audience.

The National Whistleblower Center has issued an action alert, calling for supporters to email the Attorney General and demand that he end the senseless retalition and censorship of Mr. Youssef.


Mr. Youssef is scheduled to discuss this issue in an interview with NPR, airing tonight. Check back, I will post more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE: NPR is airing the Youssef story tonight on "All Things Considered." It will be available online at 7pm. (listen here) 


**This issue was also covered in today's Wall Street Journal and on the Raw Story blog.
    (To view the entire WSJ piece, access it through a Google News search)


 

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Whistleblower Protection Blog - May 20, 2008 10:43 AM
Bassem Youssef, an FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Middle Eastern counterterrorism expert, is scheduled to testify tomorrow (May 21, 2008) before the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security in the Rayburn House Office Building, ...
Comments (3) Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
K. Murphy - January 24, 2008 12:50 PM

Why did it take so long and cost so much in the FBI Agent Jane Turner case ? Why did it take so long and cost so much to have the simple truth come out ? Why did it take so long and cost so much for the FBI to take any kind of responsibility for sexual discrimination and not pursuing sexual abuse cases in Indian Country where they have exclusive jurisdiction ? Why does it take so long and cost so much to have justice ? Kohn, Kohn, and Colapinto and the National Whistleblowers Center are on the side of angels. Thank you for your perseverance, your dedication and your willingness to get involved with Whistleblowers.

FRank Siermine - January 30, 2008 3:26 AM

Question" Is there a time limted to report a wrong
doing.Is there a statue of limtations? and how many
years does a whistle blower have to report this problem.

Marshall Chriswell - January 30, 2008 9:29 AM

For general whistleblower information, check out the "FAQ" topics on the left sidebar of this page.

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