If you don't have the possibility of asking questions and presenting answers that officials may find unwelcome, then you short circuit the deliberative process, end up magnifying the power of the executive and undermining the system of checks and balances. Needless to say the press is not immune from criticism. But the possibility of independent reporting on government needs to be preserved or all of us are potentially in jeopardy.
More Quotes from Steven Aftergood:
Some categories of classified information are protected by statute and not only by executive order. Intelligence sources and methods are protected by the National Security Act and cannot be declassified even by the say-so of the president.Steven Aftergood
As a society we seem to be losing our ability to rationally debate complicated policy decisions. Secrecy aggravates the problem by excluding people from the debate, or by narrowing their frames of reference. Nothing less than the future of American democracy is at stake.
Steven Aftergood
It is important to acknowledge that CIA hasn't totally neglected the issue of records management.
Steven Aftergood
These incidents will have served a constructive purpose if the Pentagon is willing and able to learn from them. By exposing and highlighting vulnerabilities, the attacks can actually help to inoculate the system during times of crisis. But only if the appropriate lessons are learned now.
Steven Aftergood
Secrecy seems to be the default here. It appears the judge wants to discourage media coverage.
Steven Aftergood
This administration has embraced secrecy as a right.
Steven Aftergood
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