Policy change wrongly limits Gitmo transparency (Sen. Jim Inhofe)

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) is a state-of-the-art prison that provides a safe, secure and humane location to hold detainees away from population centers. It provides the maximum security required to prevent escape, as well as multiple levels of confinement opportunities based on the compliance of the detainee.  There has never been a documented case of torture at Gitmo, and even officials in the Obama administration who have visited the site give the prison a glowing report. The current treatment and oversight exceed those at any maximum-security prison in the world. There is no superior alternative to this prison for these individuals, and yet the President is obsessed with closing the facility.

Recent media reports from journalists that routinely cover Gitmo indicate that there may have been a change in the media policy for those reporting on the terrorist detention camp.

Last week I learned of the concerning media policy shift the Obama administration has apparently enacted for Gitmo.  Traditionally, reporters that travel to Gitmo to report on the military commissions have, on planned down days, been allowed to also report on the detention facilities.  However, since June, those reporters have not been allowed to cover both stories on a single trip.  Instead, they are required to plan, book, and pay for a separate trip.  Because media outlets are cutting costs during these difficult economic times, most will likely not pay for the additional trip resulting in less transparency and less coverage of Gitmo,

Additionally, many reporters have complained that short notice, or no notice at all, has been granted for upcoming media trips to Gitmo.  Because of my concern, I wrote President Obama asking for an explanation of these apparent policy changes.  Especially in light of Obama’s commitment to transparency, it is important to allow continued media access to Gitmo.