US SenatorTells Editors To Fight Press Freedom Curbs
By Joe Strupp
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate Majority LeaderTom Daschle warned newspaper editors Wednesday to be on guardin the coming months against government efforts to censor newsor limit access to information, while praising the editors forstepping up to cover the Sept. 11 attacks and the ongoing waragainst terrorism.
"You've helped us understand more fullywhat and who we lost on that terrible morning," Daschle toldthe American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) annual conventionbeing held here this week. "You've helped us to begin tosee how Sept. 11 could have happened and what we need to do nowto prevent such monstrous attacks in the future."
But Daschle urged editors to be aware ofefforts to restrict press freedom under the guise of protectingnational security. He cited the upcoming report to the SenateIntelligence Committee from Attorney General John Ashcroft, expectedMay 1, that will lay out the Bush administration's proposed restrictionson information access.
"Without the pioneering policy workand tireless advocacy of America's newspaper editors, we wouldnot have the Freedom of Information Act," Daschle said. "Ithas made a huge contribution to our democracy, and it should notbe curtailed."
Daschle also warned editors to defend againstlikely proposals to criminalize leaks of all classified information."We already have laws against leaking information that istruly related to national security," he said. "An officialsecrets act is much broader and more dangerous. It would havea chilling effect on public debate of important issues."