Freedom of press under attack now

Published 7:13 pm Monday, October 6, 2014

An important survey from the Associated Press lays out in detail just how the Obama administration limits access to public information. As we face a new war in the Middle East, a dangerous outbreak of a virulent disease and a number of political scandals, it’s more important than ever that American citizens — and American voters — to have access to information.

Associated Press Washington Bureau Chief Sally Buzbee, speaking to the American Society of News Editors, the Associated Press Media Editors and the Associated Press Photo Managers, pointed to specific ways the administration blocks information.

First is the war in the Middle East (though the administration seems unwilling to call it a war).

“As the United States ramps up its fight against Islamic militants, the public can’t see any of it,” the Associated Press reported. “News organizations can’t shoot photos or video of bombers as they take off — there are no embeds. In fact, the administration won’t even say what country the bombers fly from.”

Next is access to the president’s meetings with foreign leaders — at a time when our international relations are stumbling.

“The White House once fought to get cameramen, photographers and reporters into meetings the president had with foreign leaders overseas,” AP noted. “That access has become much rarer. Think about the message that sends other nations about how the world’s leading democracy deals with the media: Keep them out and let them use handout photos.”

The Obama administration is working hard to control how information flows from government officials.

“Day-to-day intimidation of sources is chilling,” the news agency said. “AP’s transportation reporter’s sources say that if they are caught talking to her, they will be fired. Even if they just give her facts, about safety, for example. Government press officials say their orders are to squelch anything controversial or that makes the administration look bad.”

Open records laws, designed to ensure the free flow of information, are being ignored.

“One of the media — and public’s — most important legal tools, the Freedom of Information Act, is under siege,” AP said. “Requests for information under FOIA have become slow and expensive. Many federal agencies simply don’t respond at all in a timely manner, forcing news organizations to sue each time to force action.”

Worse, FOIA requests are being used as a “tip service” to notify officials of what reporters are working on.

“Requests are now routinely forwarded to political appointees,” AP said. “At the agency that oversees the new health care law, for example, political appointees now handle the FOIA requests.”

That practice is trickling down to states and local governments, the AP warned.

“The administration is trying to control the information that state and local officials can give out,” AP added. “In some cases, federal officials have formally intervened in state open records cases, arguing for secrecy.”

It’s more important than ever that Americans know what’s happening in our country and our world. The Obama administration must stop attempting to block information and silence sources.