Feds Close To Censorship

Federal public affairs officers act more like closed doors than open windows into the government, according to one survey. The Society of Professional Journalists surveyed 164 seasoned reporters who covered government. It found that PAOs controlled access to federal managers so closely it nearly amounted to censorship. Yet most reporters said they have good relationships with public affairs. Reporters said, they nearly always get an answer on a request for an interview. But the answer is usually no. The survey was published as part of Sunshine week.