The Principles of Information constitute the underlying public affairs philosophy for DefenseLINK and the Department of Defense.
"It is Department of Defense policy to make available timely and accurate
information so that the public, the Congress, and the
news media may assess and understand the facts about
national security and defense strategy. Requests for
information from organizations and private citizens
shall be answered quickly. In carrying out that DoD
policy, the following principles of information shall
apply:
"Information shall be made fully and readily
available, consistent with statutory requirements, unless
its release is precluded by national security constraints
or valid statutory mandates or exceptions. The Freedom
of Information Act will be supported in both letter
and spirit.
"A free flow of general and military information
shall be made available, without censorship or propaganda,
to the men and women of the Armed Forces and their dependents.
"Information will not be classified or otherwise
withheld to protect the Government from criticism or
embarrassment.
"Information shall be withheld when disclosure
would adversely affect national security, threaten the
safety or privacy of U.S. Government personnel or their
families, violate the privacy of the citizens of the
United States, or be contrary to law.
"The Department of Defense's obligation to provide
the public with information on DoD major programs may
require detailed Public Affairs (PA) planning and coordination
in the Department of Defense and with the other Government
Agencies. Such activity is to expedite the flow of
information to the public; propaganda has no place in
DoD public affairs programs."
