President Obama issues intelligence whistleblower protection directive

President Obama has signed new intelligence community and national security employees whistleblower policy through a presidential policy directive (.pdf) issued Oct. 10.

The directive provides employees with security clearances the ability to report abuse, fraud, or waste as long as they protect classified national security information. The directive also prohibits retaliation against employees for making these reports.

Instead of being a full shield, the directive establishes a policy that dissuades leaks to the press by giving employees an internal reporting outlet. Since employees must still guard national secrets, it is unlikely any protections would extend to materials given to the media.

The move is in lock-step with the administration's policy toward leaks. Within President Obama's first 26 months in office, the New York Times reports, "civilian and military prosecutors have charged five people in cases involving leaking information, more than all previous presidents combined."

For more:

- download the directive, PPD-19 (.pdf)

Related Articles:
Open Government Partnership shifts focus to action plan implementation
Transparency groups demand more from National Action Plan for open government
Johnson: 'I deeply regret this'