Department of Labor officials appear to have backed off their controversial plan to force journalists covering the “lockup” release of new unemployment and other data to use government computers and software … sort of.
In a memo circulated Friday, Jennifer Kaplan and Stephen Barr of DOL’s Office of Public Affairs informed interested media that instead of them being required to use government computers and software programs, they will be required to use government-approved computers and software, starting September 5.
Here’s the memo:
“First, thank you for helping DOL improve the security of the print-media
lock-up room. We have a technology package. We have a new Embargo
Agreement (revised sign-in sheet). And it is time to move toward
implementation.
“Our first step is underway: the June 14-15 move of equipment in the
lock-up room to clear space for DOL maintenance activities.
“Here are the next key dates:
“Late June 2012: News organizations can reconnect their lock-up room
equipment. (DOL’s Jennifer Kaplan will be in touch on exact dates, but
the window for reconnecting work stations should open on or after June
21.)
“July 5: Embargo Agreement and use of lockers go into effect.
“August 15: Physical implementation begins. News organizations remove
their existing lock-up equipment from DOL.
“August 27-September 4: News organizations and DOL test new equipment and
processes.
“September 5: New IT procedures and protocols take effect.
“Jennifer Kaplan manages press for DOL lock-ups and is your primary point
of contact. Jennifer may be reached at 202.693.5052 or
[email protected].
“Again, thank you for your interest in lock-up security and protecting
embargoed data from premature release to the public.
“Jennifer Kaplan and Stephen Barr”
About which a couple of observations:
First, Note that the announcement comes from Jennifer Kaplan and Stephen Barr, not Carl Fillichio, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’ senior communications adviser and the guy who started the controversy back in April. Kaplan is a career civil servant who is widely respected among journalists covering the DOL. Barr is the former Washington Post Federal Diary columnist who left the newspaper in 2008 to join the Legal Services Corp. as its communications director.
Fillichio was on vacation last week and apparently did not participate directly in the concluding negotiations between the government and interested media representatives regarding the compromise that was announced Friday.
Second, both sides got something they deemed essential in this compromise – the media maintains the appearance of independence by continuing to use its own equipment and software, while the government has a means of insuring equipment and software aren’t used to compromise security.
Third, don’t be surprised if the Obama administration now moves to apply the DOL settlement as a model for changing the rules for similar lockups elsewhere in the government, most notably at the Department of Treasury and Agriculture.
For additional information on the “Lockups” issue, see:
DOL forcing media to use government computers
DOL won’t explain why media must use its computers
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing release
Obama is pulling down the shades on union financial disclosure
Trouble brewing for Labor’s Solis
Issa says DOL ignored its own lockups security study
