Leak

A leak is a piece of information that is released to the press by an internal source without official institutional authority. Usually, it refers to something that comes from a government source. While technically illegal, leaks are a foundational pilar of the Fourth Estate.

It is a fine line between leakers - people in government who divulge to the media and public government Executive Branch secrets, and whistleblowers, people in government who expose government corruption.

Leakers are ususlly cited in media reports as anonymous sources, or "people with knowledge" and other such language. Leaking, as opposed to whistleblowing, is generally done to criticize policy decisions and influence Congressional action or public opinion, rather than expose outright corruption.

As noted, while leaking is illegal, cabinet secretaries, agency heads, White House and National Security Council staff, even presidents personally have been known to leak secret information, often piecemeal, as a way to lessen the impact and shape public opinion about controversial actions of the Executive Branch. These types of leaks are often cited as "Senior officials."

A symbiotic relationship develops between journalists and their sources: the journalist needs the source to "scoop" the competition and meet broadcast or print deadlines with fresh news, and the source can extend his power and influence outside a government office by shaping public perceptions and events. Ego, career advancement, or ideology can motivate a low-level leaker, while lessening the impact of a controversial policy decisions kept secret, rather than have it erupt all at once in scandalous headlines can be the motivation of a "Senior official."

Office politics among civil servants can cause leaking; while the civil service is supposedly independent and neutral with a bi-partisan staff, when faced with a slow moving or deadlocked decision the policy staff must make, one member may try to reach outside the normal decision making process and bring public pressure to bare by leaking.