May 17, 2002—US Senate Bill 1456, the “Critical Infrastructure Information Act,” is coming under fire from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), which says that the bill would create “huge new holes in the Freedom of Information Act” by barring the federal government from disclosing information regarding corporate spills, fires, explosions, and other accidents—even in public emergencies— without first obtaining written consent from the company that had the accident.
The bill was introduced last September by Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah). It was designed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks to protect corporations and other private entities that report security problems with computer systems that control “critical infrastructure”—such things as chemical plants, public utilities, and water facilities. In return for providing the information and assisting the government in solving security problems, private entities would be immune from federal sanctions under the bill. In addition, all information about the reporting and any federal responses would be kept confidential.
SPJ, the nation’s largest and broadest journalism organization, warns that the bill could have “disastrous implications on public scrutiny and accountability of the government and corporations.”
Supporters of SB 1456 say the bill’s purpose is to encourage the sharing of information that would strengthen national security against terrorist attacks on and through computer systems.
