Cadre grows to rein in message

[Tony_FLADEM]

WASHINGTON -- The ranks of federal public affairs officials swelled during the Bush administration's first term, but that hasn't meant that government information is easier to get.

The staffs that handle public relations for government agencies grew even faster than the federal work force, personnel records show, yet at the same time the White House tightened its control over messages to the news media and restricted access to public information.

"The role of public affairs officers is not to make information available to the public, as one would naively assume," said Steven Aftergood, director of the Project on Government Secrecy for the nonpartisan Federation of American Scientists.

"Rather," he said, "it is to regulate public access to information, which is something quite different."

The White House declined to comment on the trend. Staffing changes are up to the agencies, not the White House, spokeswoman Erin Healy said
<http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uspr204156187feb24,0,5203878.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines>

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[Vickers]

1. Yup, it's a total Ministry of Truth situation now

I always laughed at Orwellian references in the past...not anymore.

"The White House declined to comment on the trend."

lmao

[rodeodance]

2. what a lousey explanation----shift the blame!!

.......The White House declined to comment on the trend. Staffing changes are up to the agencies, not the White House, spokeswoman Erin Healy said......

[intheflow]

3. The Rublicans are for smaller government.

Who believes that any more? :eyes: