Panel to debate if federal public-affairs offices hinder or help the cause of open government

John M. Donnelly

The National Press Club will be hosting a webcast panel at 6:20 p.m. Monday to debate whether federal public-affairs offices hinder more than help the cause of open government. "Although executive branch communications offices can be useful, at times indispensable, in helping the press cover the government, reporters need to always be free to seek information in other ways," the National Press Club writes. "Yet doing so has become difficult to a degree that some say jeopardizes the access the press and the public have to information."

"Public affairs offices increasingly require that reporters conduct all interviews through the press office. U.S. departments and agencies often mandate that their employees only talk to reporters through official channels and with communications staff present," the National Press Club writes. "On the other side of the issue, public affairs professionals believe these controls are necessary to ensure that the press gets accurate information and the department or agency’s message is unified and coherent."

The free event will be moderated by John M. Donnelly, chairman of the NPC Press Freedom Committee and a senior writer with CQ Roll Call. Also on hand will be Tony Fratto, former deputy assistant to President George W. Bush and principal deputy press secretary; John Verrico, president-elect of the National Association of Government Communicators; Linda Petersen, freedom of information chair for the Society of Professional Journalists, and president of the Utah Foundation for Open Government; Kennesaw State University's Carolyn Carlson; and freelance reporter Kathryn Foxhall. For more information or to register click here.