Journalism Groups Seek Executive Order Barring Some Limits on Public Information
Fifty-three journalism and other groups asked President Barack Obama again (see report in the July 14, 2014, issue) to stop what they contend is near-censorship by some federal agencies in dealing with the media, and to issue an executive order…
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"prohibiting restrictive public information policies." Their letter dated Monday and released Tuesday to Obama asked him to bar prohibiting agency staff from communicating with journalists unless spokespeople are involved. He should also bar "speaking only on the condition that the official not be identified even when he or she has title of spokesperson," wrote the American Society of News Editors, the Center for Media & Democracy, Demand Progress, Government Accountability Project, iSolon.org, the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America, the Online News Association, the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, Sunlight Foundation and others. "Shift the federal government away from secrecy toward transparency and accountability." It's not too late for Obama to meet his promise of being the most transparent U.S. president, the groups wrote. The White House had no comment Wednesday. Our and others' research, including some letter signers like SPJ, have found that many agencies have more work to do to fulfill Obama's commitment (see report in the Oct. 18, 2013, issue).