White House Weighs in on Milblog Flap

In a press conference this afternoon, White House spokesman Tony Snow called our story about the Army's new information regulations "overreported." But then, immediately afterwards, Snow said he wasn't sure he knew what he was talking about. Here's the exchange, with the *Washington Times' *Jon Ward:

MR. SNOW: Well, that's -- from what we -- from what we understand, that is being overreported a little bit in the following sense.

First, I'm not sure that that is operational, that request. No. 2, to the extent that they have asked -- and I would refer you to the
Pentagon for full comment on this, but my understanding is that they're concerned about matters of operational security -- certainly people giving their opinions about what's going on -- as long as they do not disclose information that is going to jeopardize operations ongoing or in the future or in some way give away information that will make it easier for the enemy to kill Americans or Iraqis, and that's normal in a time of war. There is always censorship in a time of war mainly to protect the people who are doing the fighting, similarly with e-mails, but there is no wholesale shutdown.

Again, I'm just giving you what I know, and I would encourage you to talk to the Pentagon for further detail. But my understanding is there's no wholesale shutting down of blogs or of e-mail. But on the other hand, there is sensitivity to the fact that you have to be careful when you're doing these things not jeopardize yourself, your colleagues, the operations, the Iraqis and the overall mission.

Meanwhile, check out more commentary and reporting on this from Stars & Stripes and the Columbia Journalism Review.

(High five: Captain's Quarters)

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