The thuggish Iranian government seized the computer of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and has thrown him in jail for more than a year. The New York Times apparently sees this as justification to print anonymous quotes from people describing Mr. Rezaian as a biased journalist, and disclosing the contents of the computer:
"For Jason, Iran was not just news; it was part of his personal story and emotions," one friend said. "He saw himself as someone who could play a constructive role in bringing Iran and the U.S. closer."
In 2008, without a full-time job in Iran, he completed an email form offering help as an Iran expert to Barack Obama's election team, a friend said. He never deleted the email from his computer, and it became part of the accusations against him, the Iranian news media has reported.
How many New York Times reporters once applied for jobs or sent emails "offering help" to politicians or partisan causes? Is the Times going to disclose all of them, too?
I'm all for trying to get Mr. Rezaian free, but something about the Times approach here makes me uncomfortable.