Leakage through the Press of classified information – Safeguards against – only officers specially authorised should meet the Press.
(2) Leakage through the Press of classified information – Safeguards against – only officers specially authorised should meet the Press.
Instances have come to the notice of Government of leakage of classified information from time to time and their publication in the Press. It is the duty of all Government servants to safeguard the security of all classified information and papers to which they have access in the course of their official duties. In this connection the relevant provisions, in the Manual or Office Procedure and in the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, are reproduced in the Annexure (not reproduced).
2. It would be observed from paragraph 90 (para 113 in 1996 edition) of the Manual of Office Procedure (reproduced in the Annexure below) that only Ministers, Secretaries and other officers specially authorized by the Minister are permitted to meet representatives of the Press and give information. As a further safeguard, it has been decided that as a general rule, any officer (other than Secretaries) specially authorized by the Minister to give information to the press, who might have occasion to meet representative of the press, should immediately submit a gist of the subject discussed, to the Secretary of the Ministry/Department in which he is working.
3. It is requested that provisions in the Manual of Office Procedure and Conduct Rules, reproduced in the Annexure as well as the decision referred to in the preceding paragraph may be brought to the notice of all concerned.
[MHA OM No. 29/9/67-Ests.(A), dated 04.07.1967]
ANNEXURE
Extracts from Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure – 1996 Edition
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113. Communication of information to the Press – (1) Official information to the press and other news media, i.e. radio and television will normally be communicated through the Press Information Bureau.
(2) Only Ministers, Secretaries and other officers specially authorized in this behalf may give information or be accessible to the representatives of the press. Any other official, if approached by a representative of the press, will direct him to the Press Information Bureau.
(3) Whenever it is proposed to release an official information to the press, or to hold a press conference or press briefing, or to give publicity to an official report, resolution or any other publication, the department concerned will consult the accredited information officer in advance. The accredited information officer will meet the authorized officials from time to time to collect information worthy of publicity.
(4) Detailed procedure in respect of matters mentioned in this para, as laid down by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, should be followe