http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/opinion/less-than-transparent-journalists-fault-obama.html 2016-09-16 22:15:57 Less Than Transparent: Journalists Fault Obama The Society of Professional Journalists says the Obama administration has not been as transparent as a spokesman claims. === To the Editor: This week 40 journalism and open-government groups Mr. Earnest highlighted some of the ways the Obama administration has improved transparency in the White House. Yet, over nearly the past eight years, the Society of Professional Journalists and other groups have repeatedly outlined to the administration various ways in which transparency has gotten worse, including: ■ Officials’ blocking requests by reporters to talk to specific staff people. ■ Excessive delays in answering interview requests that stretch past reporters’ deadlines. ■ Conveying information “on background,” and refusing to give reporters what should be public information unless they agree not to say who is speaking. ■ Federal agencies’ blackballing of reporters who write critically of them. ■ Lack of meaningful visual access to the president by an independent press pool. Last December, a delegation representing 50-plus organizations We were hoping we could point to this White House as a shining example of how it should be done. Unfortunately, we can’t do that and will have to start over with the next administration. We vow to the American people to keep fighting to protect their right to know what their elected officials are doing. PAUL FLETCHER President Society of Professional Journalists Indianapolis