Germany: Berlin protesters demand greater press freedom, whistleblower protections

Hundreds rallied through Berlin, Saturday, to protest for greater press freedoms and against the prosecution of journalists and journalistic sources. Organised by Netzpolitik.org, a blog covering internet-related politics, the protest was held in response to a planned treason investigation against the outlet's editor-in-chief Markus Beckedahl and editor Andre Meister, which was in part abandoned following waves of protest. The inquiry was started after Netzpolitik.org had published a report on Germany's plans to increase online surveillance, using leaked secret government documents as sources. In an address, Meister said "Markus and I, we can, of course, appeal to the protection of press freedom, thank god. Yet our work would be impossible without informants and whistleblowers, who are the third defendant included in our letter - 'unknown.' The demand is to stop the proceedings in respect to Markus and me. However, stopping the proceedings against all journalistic sources is as important. We need more whistleblowers."