Today in the New York Times it was reported that Wal-Mart is no longer prosecuting first-time shoplifters if the value of the goods stolen is less than $25, because of the cost and effort involved in its former policy of ‘zero tolerance.’ This story, using information leaked to the Times by a former employee, is reminiscent of the recent leak that the US government was monitoring bank transfers as part of its ongoing ‘War on Terror.’
Is the Times running roughshod over national security and companies’ privacy in publishing leaked information, or is it well within the bounds of the First Amendment? Is Wal-Mart going to lose every under-$25 item in its inventory?