Media seek court-martial files in WikiLeaks case

Washington: The US military’s highest court is hearing arguments on whether the American public should have access to written records in the court-martial of an Army private charged with giving reams of classified information to the secret-sharing website WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange are among those represented by the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights at the hearing on Wednesday before the Court of Appeals for Armed Forces in Washington. [caption id=“attachment_486345” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The government contends the Freedom of Information Act provides the proper route for requesting such records. AP[/caption] They are seeking reversal of a lower court order denying them access to written motions, opinions and other records that are generally available in civilian courts. The government contends the Freedom of Information Act provides the proper route for requesting such records. However, the military has denied such requests. The Associated Press is joining other news organisations in supporting the appeal. AP