The Air Force is reducing the access for media as the public affairs team undergoes retraining to aid operational security, according to a new report.
As a result, the Air Force will be cutting access for media embeds, base visits, and interviews as public affairs officials complete training courses regarding how to not share sensitive information before being authorized to speak with members of the media.
The training was outlined in a March 1 guidance and could prompt larger restrictions regarding public communications, Defense News reports.
According to Brig. Gen. Ed Thomas, director of public affairs, the plan will be finalized within the next several weeks.
“In today’s challenging information environment marked by great power competition, we will continue to be as transparent with the American public as possible while protecting sensitive information on our operations and capabilities,” Thomas told Defense News. “We owe both to the public, and it is vitally important for the public to understand what we are doing on their behalf and with their tax dollars.”
But others are concerned that the move will lead to less transparency, causing other problems.
“I think the department has it backwards,” Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., told Defense News. “It is precisely because of the scale of the challenges before us that transparency is more important than ever. I worry that by failing to discuss problems, we will only ensure there is no public pressure to fix them.”
The guidance from the Air Force is the third of its kind from a major Department of Defense entity within the last 18 months.
