Evar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Bq6VUeqfs
So over the weekend, the new White House press secretary takes off right where Jay Carney left off with lies and spin, trying desperately to still hold to the self-proclaimed title of "most transparent administration ever." In the face of absolutely stonewalling the press at times, or going after whistle blowers like there was no tomorrow, the WH sits there with a straight face and still clings to the lie. Note the absolute non-answer to the very legitimate question of "don't they (the journalist associations) have legitimate concerns?" at 0:23.
The letter in question:
http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1253"Mr. President,
You recently expressed concern that frustration in the country is breeding cynicism about democratic government. You need look no further than your own administration for a major source of that frustration – politically driven suppression of news and information about federal agencies. We call on you to take a stand to stop the spin and let the sunshine in.
Over the past two decades, public agencies have increasingly prohibited staff from communicating with journalists unless they go through public affairs offices or through political appointees. This trend has been especially pronounced in the federal government. We consider these restrictions a form of censorship -- an attempt to control what the public is allowed to see and hear.
The stifling of free expression is happening despite your pledge on your first day in office to bring “a new era of openness” to federal government – and the subsequent executive orders and directives which were supposed to bring such openness about.
Recent research has indicated the problem is getting worse throughout the nation, particularly at the federal level. Journalists are reporting that most federal agencies prohibit their employees from communicating with the press unless the bosses have public relations staffers sitting in on the conversations. Contact is often blocked completely. When public affairs officers speak, even about routine public matters, they often do so confidentially in spite of having the title “spokesperson.” Reporters seeking interviews are expected to seek permission, often providing questions in advance. Delays can stretch for days, longer than most deadlines allow. Public affairs officers might send their own written responses of slick non-answers. Agencies hold on-background press conferences with unnamed officials, on a not-for-attribution basis.
In many cases, this is clearly being done to control what information journalists – and the audience they serve – have access to. A survey found 40 percent of public affairs officers admitted they blocked certain reporters because they did not like what they wrote."
The letter goes on, including in significant detail about the administration's abuse of the press and openness. A good read.
Expecting transparency from a federal government that hasn't had one since Clinton ...best president you've had in the last half century .