The National Archives, under fire for placing a warning label on its online catalog of historical documents, including the Constitution, is not backing down on concerns that some of the papers might be “difficult” to stomach.
In a letter shared with Secrets, David S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States, reiterated the policy to put the blanket warning on its catalog.
Writing Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, Ferriero said the warnings are staying on staff-written descriptions of historical items.
“The warning is placed there because the Catalog contains some content that may be graphic or difficult to view. Our records span the history of the United States, and it is our charge to preserve and make available these historical records,” he said.
Several Republicans have complained that the warning makes it look as if the documents themselves are offensive.
The warning is stripped across the top of many Archive webpages and directs readers to this comment: “The Catalog and web pages contain some content that may be harmful or difficult to view. NARA’s records span the history of the United States, and it is our charge to preserve and make available these historical records. As a result, some of the materials presented here may reflect outdated, biased, offensive, and possibly violent views and opinions. In addition, some of the materials may relate to violent or graphic events and are preserved for their historical significance.”
Ferriero repeated much of that in explaining the policy to Brnovich.
