British paper The Guardian has come under tight scrutiny and pressure from the government to stop publication of stories outlining the excessive surveillance from the US and British governments. Earlier today, editor-in-chief of The Guardian Alan Rusbridger sat in front of MPs and was subject to questioning for an hour-long session.

“In terms of the broader debate, I can’t think of a story in recent times that has ricocheted around the world like this has and which has been more broadly debated in parliaments, in courts and amongst NGOs,” Rusbridger said.

Rusbridger argued that they were performing a public service by disclosing stories involving the GCHQ and NSA. If the US President called for a review of the activities of the NSA in response to stories published by news outlets, the media prevented something that the President along with everyone else would’ve otherwise overseen.

Rusbridger also brought into light the various demands and threats from the government, which include a request to destroy disks and potential prosecution of the editor by the police. In response to the argument that disclosing the activities of the GCHQ and NSA compromised national security, Rusbridger said, “It is important context that the editors of probably the world’s leading newspapers … took virtually identical decisions. This is not a rogue newspaper. It is serious newspapers that have long experience of dealing with national security.”

via The Guardian