yytKMto 
January  12,  1982 
Protection  of  Classified  National  Security  Council 
and  Intelliaence  Information 
Unauthorized  disclosure  of  classified  information  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  National  Security  Council  and  of  classified 
intelligence  reports  is  a  problem  of  major  proportions 
within  the  U.S.  Government.   The  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  provides  for  the  protection  of  individual  rights  and 
liberties ,  including  freedom  of  speech  and  freedom  of  the 
press ,  but  it  also  requires  that  government  functions  be 
discharged  efficiently  and  effectively ,  especially  where  the 
national  security  is  involved.    As  President  of  the  United 
States,  I  am  responsible  for  honoring  both  Constitutional 
requirements,  and  I  intend  to  do  so  in  a  balanced  and  careful 
manner.   I  do  not  believe,  however,  that  the  Constitution 
entitles  government  employees,  entrusted  with  confidential 
information  critical  to  the  functioning  and  effectiveness  of 
the  Government,  to  disclose  such  information  with  impunity. 
Yet  this  is  precisely  the  situation  we  have.   It  must  not  be 
allowed  to  continue. 
To  this  end,  I  hereby  establish  and  direct  implementation  of 
the  following  policies. 
Contacts  with  the  Media 
All  contacts  with  any  element  of  the  news  media  in  which 
classified  National  Security  Council  matters  or  classified 
intelligence  information  are  discussed  will  require  the 
advance  aooroval  of  a  senior  official.   An  administrative 
memorandum  will  be  prepared  as  soon  as  possible  after  the 
contact,  recording  the  subjects  discussed  and  all  information 
provided  to  the  media  representatives. 
Access 
The  unauthorized  disclosure  of  classified  National  Security 
Council  information,  documents,  and  deliberations  requires 
further  control  to  limit  access  and  to  ensure  an  accurate 
record  of  those  who  have  had  access.   The  number  of  officials 
with  access  to  documents  relating  to  NSC  matters  will  be 
kept  to  the  minimum  essential  to  the  orderly  conduct  of  the 
government ! s  business . 
!USt 
Full  Text  of 
NSDD  19 
Q
Investications 
The  aovernment r s  lack  of  success  in  icentif vine  the  sources 
of  unauthorized  disclosure  of  classified  National  Security 
.4. 
Council  information  and  documents  of  classified  intelligence 
information  must  be  remedied  and  aoorooriate  disciplinary 
measures  taken-   Henceforth ,  in  the  event  of  unauthorized 
disclosure  of  such  information,  government  employees  who 
have  had  access  to  that  information  will  be  subject  to 
investigation,  to  include  the  use  of  all  legal  methods. 
Applicability  and  Implementation 
The  provisions  of  this  directive  shall  be  effective  immediately 
and  shall  apply  to  all  employees  of,  and  elements  within, 
agencies  participating  in  the  National  Security  Council 
system,  including  the  Executive  Office  of  the  President. 
The  Assistant  to  the  President  for  National  Security  Affairs 
is  directed  to  establish  the  detailed  procedures  to  implement 
policies.