Continuing debate over science and secrecy
The academic community breathed a sign of relief when President Reagan signed a new national security decision directive, NSDD 189, exempting fundamental research from national security controls. Issued September 27, 1985, the one-paragraph statement begins with the welcome assertion that the Administration's policy is not to restrict the products of fundamental research. The statement adds that where national security interests do intrude upon fundamental research activities, classification will be the primary mechanism for control. However, a more careful reading of the directive, and of the cover memorandum circulated with it to Cabinet officers, reveals a loophole through which the Administration was once again shaking the reins of control. The innocuous phrase appeared at the very end of the directive, forbidding the placement of restrictions upon unclassified federally funded fundamental research except as provided in applicable US statutes. Expanding on this phrase, the cover memorandum emphasized that the directive preserved the ability of the agencies to control unclassified information using legislated authority provided expressly for that purpose in applicable US statutes. The memorandum made no mention of the need to preserve openness in scientific and technical communication or to exercise caution in controlling unclassified information.
- OSTI ID:
- 6876346
- Journal Information:
- Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 42:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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POLICY AND ECONOMY
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NATIONAL SECURITY
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
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CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
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290500* - Energy Planning & Policy- Research
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