WASHINGTON: Large-scale surveillance by the US government has begun to have an impact on press freedom and broader democratic rights, a study released on Monday showed.

The report by the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch found that the vast surveillance efforts aimed at thwarting terrorist attacks have undermined press freedom, the public’s right to information as well as rights to legal counsel.

“The work of journalists and lawyers is central to our democracy,” said report author Alex Sinha.

“When their work suffers, so do we.” The report is based on interviews with 92 people in the United States, including journalists, lawyers, and current and former US government officials.

The group included 46 journalists representing a wide range of news organisations, including several Pulitzer Prize winners.

The journalists said the revelations about widespread surveillance by US intelligence agencies has magnified existing concerns about a government crackdown on leaks.

In the current atmosphere, sources are more hesitant to discuss even unclassified issues of public concern, fearing a loss of security clearances, dismissal or criminal investigation.

The report said some reporters are using elaborate techniques to avoid surveillance such as encrypted communications, use of disposable phones or avoiding the Internet and other networks entirely.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014