The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-03-13
Freedom,
OF
Information
BY JAMES DEvLik

bf SAmGS bENLfN
NEW YORK R-Military censor
ship poses the question of where
security ends and the coverup of
mistakes begins, particularly on
the home front.
Newspapers in their constant bat
tie against unwarrant suppression
OF news have no quarrel with omit
ting news that jeopardizes the ma
tons security or the life of sin
gle Seryiceman or civilian.
They demonstrated that during
World War II by their careful ad-
llerence TO code of voluntary
censorship.
II is Rhen security" is invoked
TO cover UP something that APP
pears TO have no connectic1 with
security that friction arises.
Here is an actual example OF
,cs military and newspaper think
ing can conflict:
Suppose you are asports fan
and you turn to the baseball stand
ings. You see this list:
New York..
Chicago.
Another Team
Philadelphia
You might be inclined owonder
who another team is.
Yet that was the situation con-
fronting the sports editor Of the
Beloit, Wis, Daily News.
He reported that the 10th Air
Force radar station had decided
to enter a team In the Central
Wisconsin Baseball League. where
upon the commanding officer de-
manded that his nine be known
simply as another team.
The officers idea, no doubt, was
to conceal knowledge that the ra-
dar station existed. The newspa-
per's position was that this hardly
could be concealed because the sta
tons antenna was easily visible
TO anybody in the area.
The Navy conceded recently that
too often newspapers are met
with evasiveness, doubIe-talk or
outright refusal TO cooperate.
II sent public relations news
letter to responsible officers re-
minding them that ''the Navy be-
longs TO the public" and urged
them to give whenever possible
frank. honest answers 10 ques-
tons from newspapers and wire
services.
The letter declared truth is the
best policy "even when the truth
hurts.
The Air Force changed its regu-
lations on photographing air crash
es this month after a campaign
waged by James S. Pope, chair
man of the American Society Of
Newspaper Editors Freedom of
Information Committee.
Pope was aroused by incidents
of Air Force police prohibiting
news photographers sometimes
ty physical measures = from TAX
ing pictures OF crashed planes on
non military property.
He argued Air Force regulations
ignored civil authority and gave
the military q fancied right to de-
clare martial law on civilian ter
ritory. He contended this right
could be granted only by civilian
authorities.
The Air Force no longer PRO
hibits'' the taking Of pictures out
side military reservations.
But if a photographer takes pic
lures of secret equipment and re-
fuses to surrender them, he win
be warned that under federal law
he can be fined $4,000 and i'm
priscaed for 10 years. If he still
refuses. the FBI viii be called in.
When no secret equipment Is ex-
posed to view consent will be
given for the taking OF photo
graphs BY civilian photographers"
under the new regulations.
Pope contended the old regula.
tons purported TO give authority
TO officers and enlisted men 10
forbid" photographs even when
no secret items were involved.
He stressed that no newspaper
wants TO risk preaching military
security" but that neither did they
wish to see the military encroach
upon civilian authority in the guise
Of security considerations where
none existed.
Pope had become aroused on the
subiarf Hhfu Air Forra v.nlsee