NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045

January 6, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: NPC Freedom of Press Committee Co-Chairs
John M. Donnelly (202 662 9722)
Kirsten Mitchell (202 662 7668)

National Press Club Protests New Pentagon Policy Restricting Information

WASHINGTON, DC -- In a strongly worded letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the National Press Club is protesting a new Pentagon information policy that the club's president says is unnecessary and "susceptible to abuse."

The policy, as outlined in a Dec. 5 memorandum by Defense Department Inspector General Joseph Schmitz, bars electronic publication on the Inspector General's public Web site of "not just classified and 'official-use' data, but also new and indefensible categories" that allow for arbitrary withholding of information, said NPC President Tammy Lytle.

In her letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, President Lytle said the NPC "understands that after Sept. 11, 2001, it is particularly important for U.S. officials to thoroughly consider the kind of information they make available globally on the Web. But the classification process and exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act already enable the government to withhold sensitive information when necessary.

"There is no need for individual agencies to add their own restrictions, especially when they are so broadly worded as to likely become susceptible to abuse," wrote Lytle on behalf of the NPC's 4000 reporters, public information officers and news sources. "I urge you to reconsider this policy."

The full text of President Lytle's letter is attached.

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January 05, 2004

The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

Dear Mr. Secretary:

The National Press Club is deeply concerned about a Dec. 5 memorandum by Defense Department Inspector General Joseph Schmitz outlining a new policy on information the IG can post on its public Web site, www.dodig.osd.mil.

According to the memo, the policy bars electronic publication of not just classified and "official-use" data, but also three new and indefensible categories: "information not specifically approved for public release; information of questionable value to the general public; and information for which worldwide dissemination poses an unacceptable risk to national security or threatens the safety and privacy of the men and women of the armed forces."

The National Press Club understands that after Sept. 11, 2001, it is particularly important for U.S. officials to thoroughly consider the kind of information they make available globally on the Web. But the classification process and exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act already enable the government to withhold sensitive information when necessary. There is no need for individual agencies to add their own restrictions, especially when they are so broadly worded as to likely become susceptible to abuse.

The Pentagon IG Web site is an independent source for reporters who cover the Defense Department. To restrict the kind of facts presented there for any reason other than the legitimate ones already outlined in the law threatens public access to information vital to the proper functioning of our democracy.

On behalf of the National Press Club's nearly 4,000 reporters, public information officers and news sources in Washington, D.C., I urge you to reconsider this policy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tammy Lytle
President, National Press Club