The interests of the United States and its citizens are best served
when information regarding the affairs of Government is readily
available to the public. Provisions for such an informed citizenry are
reflected in the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and in the
current public information policies of the executive branch.
(a) Safeguarding national security information. Some official
information within the Federal Government is directly concerned with
matters of national defense and the conduct of foreign relations. This
information must, therefore, be subject to security constraints, and
limited in term of its distribution.
(b) Exemption from public disclosure. Official information of a
sensitive nature, hereinafter referred to as national security
information, is expressly exempted from compulsory public disclosure by
Section 552(b)(1) of title 5 U.S.C. Persons wrongfully disclosing such
information are subject to prosecution under United States criminal
laws.
(c) Scope. To ensure that national security information is
protected, but only to the extent and for such a period as is necessary,
these regulations:
(1) Identify information to be protected.
(2) Prescribe procedures on classification, declassification,
downgrading, and safeguarding of information.
(3) Establish a monitoring system to ensure the effectiveness of the
Department of Labor (DOL) security program and regulations.
(d) Limitation. The need to safeguard national security information
in no way implies an indiscriminate license to withhold information from
the public. It is important that the citizens of the United States have
access, consistent with national security, to information concerning the
policies and programs of their Government.
