Citizens lose because of GOVERNMENT GATEKEEPERS .. Survey shows journalists routinely denied access to information sources..??

A new survey from the Society of Professional Journalists reveals that gatekeepers installed by the government are keeping reporters from sources of information inside federal agencies, resulting in a censorship that is preventing the full flow of information the public needs. 

Among the findings:

• Three-fourths of journalists reported they have to get approval from a public affairs officer before they can interview an agency employee.
• Half the reporters said agencies simply prohibit reporters from interviewing agency employees at least some of the time. Eighteen percent said it happens most of the time.
• Seventy percent said their requests for interviews are forwarded to public affairs officers for routing to whomever they want.
• Some 16 percent of the reporters said their interviews are monitored in person or over the telephone all of the time.

“They sit right next to the person I am interviewing and often times jump in to make a comment or interfered with the conversation,” one reporter said.

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