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Press groups protest CIA using journalists as spies

RESTON, Va. -- Four leading news media organizations today called on Congress to prohibit the CIA or any other U.S. intelligence agency from using journalists, either foreign or domestic, as spies or assets.

RESTON, Va. -- Four leading news media organizations today called on Congress to prohibit the CIA or any other U.S. intelligence agency from using journalists, either foreign or domestic, as spies or assets.

"As long as the possibility remains that any journalist may be seen as linked to an intelligence agency, all journalists remain at risk of harassment, personal attack, abduction or murder," the four groups said.

The call for a total ban on intelligence community use of journalists as spies or on use of journalistic "cover" by agents was contained in a letter to Senate and House Intelligence Committee leaders by the North American National Broadcasters Association, Radio-Television News Directors Association, American Society of Newspaper Editors and World Press Freedom Committee.

A House-approved amendment to this year's Intelligence Authorization Bill would permit the CIA and other agencies to use journalists as spies with presidential approval and notification to Congress. The Senate version of the bill, now awaiting floor consideration, does not contain similar language, but an amendment could be offered on the floor.

The CIA director has indicated that no U.S. journalists presently are working for the agency and that this would be a very rare occurrence. But he has refused to ruleout the possibility. Groups representing foreign journalists are concerned that even a total ban on intelligence agency use of U.S. journalists would not rule out use of other journalists. The House version of the bill also specifically leaves open a door for "voluntary cooperation" by anyone.

"Any policy that allows intelligence agents to impersonate journalists, use journalists as agents, or otherwise use journalism as a "cover" is unacceptable on its face. In particular, it endangers the safety of all journalists in war, civil war, terrorist and other situations," the joint letter said.

Leaders of the four groups urged Congress to rule out any possibility of such activities. "Journalists in hazardous situations should not have to fear for their lives because others may believe they are not what they say they are," they said.

The World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC) includes 37 journalistic organizations on 5 continents. The North American National Broadcasters Association (NANBA) has as members the major network broadcasters of Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) is the leading U.S. organization representing broadcast news decision-makers. The American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) is the leading organization of U.S. editors.


THE TEXT OF THE LETTER EXPRESSING THE VIEWS OF THE FOUR ORGANIZATIONS FOLLOWS:

Sen. Arlen Specter, Chair - Select Committee on Intelligence
Sen. Bob Kerrey, Ranking Minority Member - Select Committee on Intelligence
Rep. Larry Combest, Chair - Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Rep. Norman D. Dicks, Ranking Minority Member - Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Rep. Bill Richardson
Rep. John P. Murtha

Dear Sirs:

Action to prohibit U.S. intelligence agencies from using journalists as agents or assets is needed, overdue and should be approved. An effort in the House toward this end, despite a good initial start, now falls far short of the mark. We understand the issue next may come up in the Senate.

The final form of the Intelligence Authorization Bill (HR3259) approved by the House on May 22 retains the possibility for the CIA or other U.S. agency: a) to use journalists as agents or assets with presidential agreement and notice to Congress, b) to have its own agents pose as journalists, c) to use foreign journalists as agents or assets, d) to receive voluntary cooperation of persons, including journalists, willing to assist the intelligence community.

Any policy that allows intelligence agents to impersonate journalists, use journalists as agents, or otherwise use journalism as a "cover" is unacceptable on its face. In particular, it endangers the safety of all journalists in war, civil war, terrorist and other situations.

The World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC) includes 37 journalistic organizations on 5 continents. The North American National Broadcasters Association (NANBA) has as members the major network broadcasters of Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) is the leading U.S. organization representing broadcast news decision-makers. The American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) is the leading organization of U.S. editors.

As long as the possibility remains that any journalist may be seen as linked to an intelligence agency, all journalists remain at risk of harassment, personal attack, abduction and murder.

We urge you to return to the original House amendment proposed by Rep. Richardson -- and close other loopholes noted above. Journalists in hazardous situations should not have to fear for their lives because others may believe they are not what they say they are.

Sincerely,

Bill Roberts, Secretary General, NANBA
David Bartlett, President, RTNDA
Bob Giles, President, ASNE
James H. Ottaway, Jr., Chairman, WPFC

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