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Government Secrecy Attacked

June 1, 1978
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Journalists representing three major organizations of their profession met at Beth Sokolow here this week to consider measures that will ensure the free flow of political information from the government. The subject has become a matter of concern since the Likud government took office a year ago because it has made greater use than its predecessors of the law that allows the Cabinet to meet in the guise of a ministerial security committee, the deliberations of which are classified and may be withheld from the media.

A deputation of editors raised the matter with Premier Menachem Begin last February. He acknowledged the problem and promised to limit Cabinet security meetings as much as possible. But the journalists assembled here charged that the promise was not kept. They represented the Committee of Daily Newspaper Editors, the National Journalists Association and the Press Council.

Dr. Yehoshua Roltenstreich, president of the Press Council, raised the possibility of a media campaign against government secrecy. Further meetings are planned.

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