WikiLeaks Founder Charged in Computer Hacking Conspiracy

The press release makes it sound like the entire extent of Assange's involvement in the "conspiracy" was making offhand remarks that the government asserts encouraged Manning:

> During the conspiracy, Manning and Assange engaged in real-time discussions regarding Manning’s transmission of classified records to Assange. The discussions also reflect Assange actively encouraging Manning to provide more information. During an exchange, Manning told Assange that “after this upload, that’s all I really have got left.” To which Assange replied, “curious eyes never run dry in my experience.”

If true, it seems to me like there's no meaningful difference between this and a newspaper approvingly publishing a leak, which I thought was meant to be protected in the US under the First Amendment.

If false, and there's more to it than the press release implies, then the authors of the press release are deliberately trying to make the case sound petty and vindictive, and falsely give the impression that merely making approving remarks about leakers while working with them is a crime - presumably for the chilling effect that this will have on others.

Neither option seems to reflect well on the government.